Development of a Magnetic Microsensor Module for Battlefield Applications

The goal of the proposed work is to develop a technology for small, low power, low cost magnetic microsensor modules that can detect magnetic anomalies in the battlefield generated by the presence and movement of armed troops and military vehicles. Thefocus will be on Anisotropic MagnetoResistive (AMR) sensors that can be fabricated by microelectronics techniques. These sensors represent a mature technology and are widely available commercially. They operate at room temperature with high sensitivityand have a broad bandwidth. During the course of the project, Quantum Magnetics will design, develop, and test a small, low-cost magnetic microsensor module including on-board electronics, power supply, and data communications capabilities. The long-termvision is to integrate these modules into a network of battlefield microsensors that include a variety of other sensing technologies (acoustic, seismic, IR, etc.)A highly sensitive magnetic microsensor module would also find numerous applications insecurity operations and surveillance of perimeters and borders, detection of unexploded ordnance UXO, detection of concealed weapons, and monitoring of urban and highway traffic.