Device and method for determining a magnetic field as to its intensity and direction

A device for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the device comprising:

• a first arrangement for superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured;
• and
• a second arrangement at the detection location for measuring at least the direction of a magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured;
• wherein the second arrangement includes at least one of a GMR angular-position sensor and an AMR angular-position sensor.

A method for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the method comprising the steps of:

• superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured;
• determining a direction of another magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured;
• and
• repeating the steps of superimposing and determining for a different auxiliary magnetic field at the detection location.

A method for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the method comprising the steps of:

• superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured;
• determining a direction of another magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured;
• and
• repeating the steps of superimposing and determining for a different auxiliary magnetic field at the detection location;
• wherein the direction of the magnetic field to be measured is calculated from determined directions of the another magnetic field.

A method for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the method comprising the steps of:

• superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured;
• determining a direction of another magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured;
• and
• repeating the steps of superimposing and determining for a different auxiliary magnetic field at the detection location;
• wherein determined directions of the another magnetic field and the magnetic field to be measured are different.

A method for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the method comprising the steps of:

• superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured;
• determining a direction of another magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured;
• and
• repeating the steps of superimposing and determining for a different auxiliary magnetic field at the detection location;
• wherein a Helmholtz coil pair is used for producing the auxiliary magnetic field and the another auxiliary magnetic field.

A method for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the method comprising the steps of:

• superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured:
• determining a direction of another magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured:
• and
• repeating the steps of superimposing and determining for a different auxiliary magnetic field at the detection location;
• wherein at least one of an AMR angular-position sensor and a GMR angular-position sensor is used for determining the directions of the another magnetic field.

A method for use in determining at least one of a direction and an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured at a detection location, the method comprising the steps of:

• superimposing an auxiliary magnetic field whose intensity is known on the magnetic field to be measured;
• determining a direction of another magnetic field resulting from superimposing the auxiliary magnetic field on the magnetic field to be measured;
• and
• repeating the steps of superimposing and determining for a different auxiliary magnetic field at the detection location;
• wherein the auxiliary magnetic field and the another auxiliary magnetic field are superimposed so that they are oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the magnetic field to be measured.