A low-cost portable system for 3-Axis measurement of static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields

IF 2 Q3 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-07-18 DOI:10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00683

Veronika Wohlmuthova, Michal Labuda, Mariana Benova

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Magnetic fields play a crucial role in modern science and technology - yet precise and accessible tools for their measurement remain limited, especially for small laboratories, educators, or independent researchers. This paper introduces a novel, open-source magnetic field measurement system based on three-axis sensors for monitoring both direct and extremely low frequency magnetic fields. The device features a modular hardware design centered around a custom PCB, enabling flexible analog filtering, Bluetooth data transmission, and offline LCD visualization. By combining the MC858 and MPU9250 sensors with precise analog signal conditioning and a 12-bit ADC, the system ensures reliable detection of magnetic fields including the 50 Hz mains frequency and its harmonics. To verify the functionality of the device, experimental measurements were conducted inside a Faraday cage using a common hair dryer placed at distances of 1 cm and 3 cm from the sensors as a source of electromagnetic field. Frequency analysis confirmed reliable detection of the dominant 50 Hz component and its harmonics, as well as the system’s ability to distinguish changes in field intensity based on distance and operating state of the source device.

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一种低成本便携式系统，用于静态和极低频磁场的三轴测量

磁场在现代科学和技术中发挥着至关重要的作用，但是用于测量磁场的精确和可获得的工具仍然有限，特别是对于小型实验室、教育工作者或独立研究人员而言。本文介绍了一种基于三轴传感器的新型、开源的磁场测量系统，用于直接磁场和极低频磁场的监测。该器件采用模块化硬件设计，以定制PCB为中心，实现灵活的模拟滤波、蓝牙数据传输和离线LCD可视化。通过将MC858和MPU9250传感器与精确的模拟信号调理和12位ADC相结合，该系统可确保可靠地检测磁场，包括50 Hz主频率及其谐波。为了验证该装置的功能，实验测量在法拉第笼内进行，使用一个普通吹风机作为电磁场源，放置在距离传感器1厘米和3厘米的距离上。频率分析证实了对50hz分量及其谐波的可靠检测，以及系统根据源设备的距离和工作状态区分场强变化的能力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

HardwareX Engineering-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

18.20%

发文量

124

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： HardwareX is an open access journal established to promote free and open source designing, building and customizing of scientific infrastructure (hardware). HardwareX aims to recognize researchers for the time and effort in developing scientific infrastructure while providing end-users with sufficient information to replicate and validate the advances presented. HardwareX is open to input from all scientific, technological and medical disciplines. Scientific infrastructure will be interpreted in the broadest sense. Including hardware modifications to existing infrastructure, sensors and tools that perform measurements and other functions outside of the traditional lab setting (such as wearables, air/water quality sensors, and low cost alternatives to existing tools), and the creation of wholly new tools for either standard or novel laboratory tasks. Authors are encouraged to submit hardware developments that address all aspects of science, not only the final measurement, for example, enhancements in sample preparation and handling, user safety, and quality control. The use of distributed digital manufacturing strategies (e.g. 3-D printing) is encouraged. All designs must be submitted under an open hardware license.