Magnetometer

The design of the tri-axial magnetometer uses Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive (AMR) sensors which are co-located with offset compensating circuitry. The offset compensating circuitry nulls the characteristic offset voltage of the AMR sensor and enhances the sensors performance. The sensor provides x-, y- and z-axes magnetic field component measurements, as well as a sensor temperature measurement which is used for the temperature compensation of the magnetic ­field measurement.

Ideally mounted outside the spacecraft atthe end of a rigid boom the NewSpace magnetometer includes low noise, precision processing and analogue-to-digital conversion circuitry; all of which improves the linearity and reduces the drift sensitivity of the sensor head. The integrated processing circuitry and sensor head provides an accurate and stable magnetic ­field measurement at low power consumption. The power requirement is a regulated 5V DC supply while the measured x-, y- and z-axes magnetic ­field components are available as 0-5V analogue outputs or optionally on a digital serial interface.

Main Features

Performance:

• Orthogonality: better than +/- 1°

• Measurement range: +60,000nT to -60,000nT

• Sensitivity: 6.5nT

• Update rate: up to 10Hz

• Noise density: <500pT RMS/Hz @1Hz

• Power consumption: <700 mW

• 3-axis analogue output: 0-5V or Serial (RS422 or I2C) options

• Temperature output 0-5V

Properties:

• Dimensions: 96x43x17mm

• Mass: <200g

• Operating temperature: -35°C to +75°C

• 15g rms random vibration (qualification levels)

• 10krad total dose (component level)