GMR sensor element and its use

A method of using a GMR sensor element including eight GMR resistor elements arranged in a rotationally symmetrical positioning connected to each other to form two Wheatstone full bridges, structured in strip form and oriented with respect to one another such that a line coplanar to the GMR sensor element, passing approximately through a center of a circle or octagon formed by the eight GMR resistor elements, and bisecting any of the GMR resistor elements is approximately perpendicular to a strip direction of the bisected GMR resistor element, the method comprising one of:

• using the GMR sensor element in an angle sensor for detecting an absolute position of one of:
• one of a camshaft and a crankshaft in a motor vehicle in a camshaft free engine having one of electrical and electrohydraulic valve timing,
• a motor position of an electrically commutated motor, and
• of a windshield wiper position;
• and
• using the GMR sensor element in a steering angle sensor system in a motor vehicle.