Transactions on Machine Intelligence

Transactions on Machine Intelligence

Magnetometer Calibration Using Ellipsoid Fitting Method

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Control Engineering, Damavand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damavand, Iran
Abstract
Given the wide range of applications for magnetic sensors, particularly magnetometers, precise calibration is essential to ensure reliable and accurate measurements. Magnetic sensors are highly sensitive to both internal imperfections and external disturbances, including environmental magnetic fields, which can significantly affect their output. To approximate real-world conditions, this study involved mounting a magnetometer on a vehicle and conducting measurements in a remote, low-interference region in Iran. The vehicle was driven within a limited radius to collect data under relatively undisturbed geomagnetic conditions. The raw data acquired by the sensor was recorded and subsequently processed using MATLAB software, employing the Ellipsoid Fitting Method for calibration. This technique is widely recognized for correcting both hard-iron and soft-iron distortions typically present in three-axis magnetometers. The study begins with a concise overview of common magnetometer calibration approaches, comparing their principles and practical implications. It then presents the experimental setup, data collection procedure, calibration process, and outcomes in detail. The results indicate a significant improvement in the accuracy of the magnetometer readings after calibration, demonstrating the effectiveness of the adopted method. This investigation highlights the practical considerations and challenges involved in magnetometer calibration under real-world conditions and contributes to the optimization of sensor performance for future field applications.
Keywords

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Volume 2, Issue 1
Winter 2019
Pages 10-19

  • Receive Date 25 November 2018
  • Revise Date 04 January 2019
  • Accept Date 11 March 2019