Magneto-resistive sensor element for measurement of external magnetic field angle, especially in automotive applications, has device for generating varying magnetic reference field in a reference magnetic layer

摘要

Element comprises a reference magnetic layer (3), with a second non-magnetic layer superposed on top. A third magnetic layer (1) can be influenced by an external magnetic field in such a way that it can be used to measure external field angle. A device (5) provided produces varying reference magnetic field in the layer (3) that is independent of the external magnetic field. An Independent claim is made for a process for use of the magnetic sensor element. Reference varying magnetic field is applied by device (5) to the reference magnetic layer. For every reference direction a sensor signal is produced dependent on the angle between the reference signal and the applied external magnetic field from the external field direction can be determined.