SINGLE CONTROLLER FOR WEARABLE SENSOR UNIT THAT INCLUDES AN ARRAY OF MAGNETOMETERS
An exemplary magnetic field measurement system includes a wearable sensor unit and a single controller. The wearable sensor unit includes a plurality of magnetometers. The single controller is configured to generate a single clock signal and use the single clock signal to drive one or more components within the magnetometers.
1 . A magnetic field measurement system comprising:
a wearable sensor unit comprising:
a plurality of magnetometers, and
a single controller configured to generate a single clock signal and use the single clock signal to drive one or more components within the magnetometers.
2 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the single controller is remote from the wearable sensor unit.
3 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 2 , wherein the single controller is implemented by a computing device not configured to be worn by a user.
4 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 2 , wherein the single controller is included in a wearable device configured to be worn by a user and separate from the wearable sensor unit.
5 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the single controller is housed within a single housing.
6 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the single controller is included within the wearable sensor unit.
7 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an additional wearable sensor unit comprising an additional plurality of magnetometers;
wherein the single controller is further configured use the single clock signal to drive one or more components within the additional plurality of magnetometers.
8 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 7 , wherein the single controller is included within the wearable sensor unit.
9 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the single controller is configured to interface with the magnetometers by way of one or more twisted pair cables.
10 . The magnetic field measurement system of claim 1 , wherein:
a magnetometer included in the plurality of magnetometers comprises a photodetector; and
the single controller comprises a differential signal measurement circuit configured to measure current output by the photodetector.
11 . A wearable sensor unit comprising:
a plurality of magnetometers, and
an interface assembly configured to communicatively coupled to a single controller configured to use a single clock signal to drive one or more components within the magnetometers.
12 . The wearable sensor unit of claim 11 , wherein the single controller is included within the wearable sensor unit.
13 . The wearable sensor unit of claim 11 , wherein the single controller is remote from the wearable sensor unit.
14 . The wearable sensor unit of claim 13 , wherein the single controller is implemented by a computing device not configured to be worn by a user.
15 . The wearable sensor unit of claim 13 , wherein the single controller is included in a wearable device configured to be worn by a user and separate from the wearable sensor unit.
16 . The wearable sensor unit of claim 11 , wherein:
a magnetometer included in the plurality of magnetometers comprises
a vapor cell comprising an input window and containing an alkali metal, and
a light source configured to output light that passes through the input window and into the vapor cell along a transit path; and
the wearable sensor unit further comprises a temperature control circuit external to the vapor cell and configured to create a temperature gradient within the vapor cell, the temperature gradient configured to concentrate the alkali metal within the vapor cell away from the transit path of the light.
17 . A controller for interfacing with a wearable sensor unit having a plurality of magnetometers, the controller comprising:
a single housing;
a single clock source in the single housing and configured to generate a single clock signal; and
a processor in the single housing and configured to use the single clock signal to drive one or more components within the magnetometers.
18 . The controller of claim 17 , wherein the single housing is remote from the wearable sensor unit.
19 . The controller of claim 17 , wherein the wearable sensor unit is in the single housing.
20 . The controller of claim 17 , further comprising a twisted pair cable interface assembly configured to connect to a twisted pair cable that is also connected to the wearable sensor unit.