New Magneto-Inductive DC Magnetometer for Space Missions
Abstract
A new magneto-inductive DC magnetometer is being developed at the University of Michigan that provides fluxgate quality measurements in a low mass, volume, power and cost package. The magnetometer enables constellation-class missions not only due to its low-resource requirements, but also its potential for commercial integrated circuit fabrication. The magneto-inductive operating principle is based on a simple resistance-inductor (RL) circuit and involves measurement of the time it takes to charge and discharge the inductor between an upper and lower threshold by means of a Schmitt trigger oscillator. This time is proportional to the inductance that in turn is proportional to the field strength. We have modeled the operating principle in the circuit simulator SPICE and have built a proto-type using modified commercial sensors. The performance specifications include a dynamic range over the full-Earth's field, sampling rates up to 80 Hz, sensor and electronics mass of about 30 g, circuit board and sensor housing volume of < 100 cm3, and power consumption of about 5 mW. This system's noise levels are predicted to be about 100 pT /√Hz @ 1 Hz with a precision of about 100 pT. Due to the simple circuit design, lack of an analog-to-digital converter, and choice of oscillator, we anticipate that it will be extremely temperature stable and radiation tolerant. This presentation will describe the constellation mission enabling design, the development status and the testing results of this new magnetometer.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFMSH51B2488M
- Keywords:
-
- 2194 Instruments and techniques;
- INTERPLANETARY PHYSICS;
- 2494 Instruments and techniques;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2794 Instruments and techniques;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 6297 Instruments and techniques;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS