Honeywell/Commercial Switch&Sensor offers highly sensitive magnetic field sensors that can measure magnetic fields of tens of microgauss. The family of magnetic field sensors includes one-axis, two-axis, and three-axis sensor chips, as well as linear displacement/angle displacement sensors and digital compass modules. The magnetic sensitive element is made of permalloy magnetic thin film and features self-biasing and compensation for environmental magnetic fields.
The HMC/HMR series from Honeywell are magnetic‑resistive (AMR) sensors that can detect magnetic fields down to tens of micro‑gauss, far beyond the capability of Hall‑effect devices. Their small, fully solid‑state construction makes them suitable for a wide range of OEM applications.
The product family includes a variety of single‑axis, dual‑axis and tri‑axis chips (e.g., HMC1001/2, HMC1021/2/3, HMC1052) as well as complete modules such as digital compasses and displacement sensor demo boards. The sensors use a Permalloy (iron‑nickel) thin‑film element arranged in a Wheat‑Wheatstone bridge with built‑in bias and compensation circuitry.
| Magnetic sensitivity | 79.85 A/m |
|---|---|
| Detectable magnetic field | tens of micro‑gauss |
| Sensor element material | Permalloy (iron‑nickel alloy) thin film |
The sensor element is made from a Permalloy (iron‑nickel) thin‑film alloy.
An aluminum bias strip on the silicon substrate creates a bias magnetic field to compensate the environment.
The sensor uses a four‑arm Wheatstone bridge formed by the magnetic resistive elements.