Magnetoresistive sensors for surveillance and remote sensing

Quantum Magnetics (QM) has developed a sensing array using small and lightweight magnetoresistive (MR) sensors. These sensors, which operate at room temperature with high sensitivity and wide bandwidth, provide new operational performance capabilities. The wide bandwidth makes them ideal for both passive and active detection techniques. Using a DSP-based electronics developed by QM, we have been able to operate these sensors with an unprecedented noise performance at low frequencies. Recent tests using an MR room temperature gradiometer show that its resolution equals that of a fluxgate room-temperature gradiometer we have previously developed. These results represent an important development for both attended and unattended ground sensor applications since MR sensors cost about ten times less than fluxgate sensors.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.