Introduction of real-time digital processing techniques for the high-sensitivity GMI sensors

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Traore, Papa Silly^{a; b} | Asfour, Aktham^a; | Yonnet, Jean Paul^a | Boudinet, Cedric^a

Affiliations: [a] Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G2Elab, Grenoble, France | [b] Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique (ESP), Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Sénégal

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Aktham Asfour, Grenoble Electrical Engineering Lab (G2ELab) Bâtiment GreEn-ER 21 Avenue des Martyrs CS 90624 38031 Grenoble Cedex 1, France. Tel.: (+33) 4 76 82 63 95;   E-mail: aktham.asfour@g2elab.grenoble-inp.fr

Abstract: A new fully digital Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI) sensor is presented. The design combines the off-diagonal configuration of the sensitive element with a real-time digital electronic conditioning based on a Software Defined Radio (SDR). Compared to a conventional implementation of these sensors, the proposed design exhibits key advantages. These include firstly the simplicity of obtaining a quasi-linear sensor response around the zero-field point without making use of a bias magnetic field and an offset cancelling device. Secondly, the potential of integration, the flexibility of reconfiguration as well as the low-noise and high-sensitivity are promising features of the developed concept. Noise performance of 1.8 pT/Hz was obtained in the white noise region.

Keywords: GMI sensors, off-diagonal, digital processing techniques

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-171214

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 455-463, 2019