Determination of direction of an external magnetic field using a magnetoresistive sensor, whereby sensor signals are digitized and decimalized to obtain decimalization factors for 180 and 360 degree periodic signals

摘要

Method for determining the direction of an external magnetic field using a magetoresistive sensor (1) has the following steps: overlaying of an external magnetic field with a fluctuating magnetic field; conversion of the signal detected by a sensor into a digital signal; detection of periodic 180[deg] and 360[deg] signals within the digital signals; decimalization of the periodic signals to obtain decimalization factors (M) and calculation of a single value angle signal over 360[deg] based on the decimalized periodic signals. Independent claims are also included for the following:- (a) a further method for determining the direction of an external magnetic field using a magnetoresistive sensor and; (b) two circuit arrangements for determining the direction of an external magnetic field using a magnetoresistive sensor.