Definition
A fluxgate uses saturable magnetic cores driven by an alternating current; the surrounding field unbalances the cores, and the resulting second harmonic signal is proportional to the field component along each axis. Two or three orthogonal sensors resolve the horizontal field into a heading, output digitally to autopilots, radar overlays and chartplotters. Fluxgates need a calibration turn on installation, are sensitive to heel unless gimballed or tilt compensated, and can be corrupted by nearby direct current cables.
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