Tracking method for magnetic target based on magnetometer array

The magnetic target tracking problem based on magnetic vector measurements is characterized by nonlinear equations whose optimal analytical solution cannot be obtained. So the tracking method for magnetic target based on magnetometer array was proposed in this paper. First, the magnetic gradient tensor measured by the new designed magnetometer array was used to achieve direction estimation for the magentic target. Then, the magnetic scalar value, magentic gradient tensor and eigenvalues of tensor matrix were combined to estimate the location and magnetic moment of the magentic target. Finally, the estimation of the motion rate and real-time trajectory tracking magnetic target was accomplished based on the successive single-point localization. The real magnetometer array was constructed based on Fluxgate magnetometers and tracking experiments of small magnetic target were conducted. The experimental results show that the proposed method can better perform real-time tracking. © 2015, Editorial Board of Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All right reserved.