Palo Alto, CA, 12 February 2007:  Magnetic sensors have come a long way from purely serving navigational applications to being today's industrial workhorse. The technology for sensing magnetic fields has evolved due to the ever-increasing need for improved sensitivity, smaller form factor and compatibility with electronic systems. In the medical industry, ultra- sensitive superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) are finding a niche, and many new applications are proposed for high temperature SQUID systems.

Frost & Sullivan's (http://www.frost.com ) new study, Magnetic Sensors- Emerging Technology Developments, provides analyses of hall sensors, fluxgate, search coil, anisotropic/giant/colossal magnetoresistance sensors, giant magetoimpedance, and SQUID among others. Along with key drivers, challenges, restraints, analysis and forecasts of technologies that are likely to shape the future magnetic sensor industry.

"Magnetic hard disk read head has been the main application of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect; however, with the increase of 60 percent in hard disk area density every year, new magnetic sensor technology, in particular the tunnel magnetoresistance and giant magnetoimpedance effect, could replace GMR as the dominant read head technology in the future," says Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Jayson Koh. "SQUID systems, particularly the low temperature ones are finding many applications in the medical industry."

Tunnel magnetic resistance (TMR) technology has already been introduced in some read heads, while recent development in giant magnetoimpedance effect has been very promising. On the other hand, new applications for SQUID such as structural analysis and security, are creating niche applications for SQUID systems.

However, SQUID sensors are more complex to deploy and operate than conventional Hall or MR sensors. Complexity in implementation and production is likely to be a major constraint to replace the conventional magnetic sensors with SQUID devices. Another major deterrence is the high cost of acquiring them. Similar to other expensive equipment for semiconductor manufacturing and laboratory research, the high temperature superconductor (HTS) is not mass-produced, and there are only few manufacturers serving the exclusive group of clients from a high-revenue industry such as the medical field.

"Low-Tc SQUIDs would still have an edge over HTS due to factors such as higher sensitivity, and also because HTS materials cannot be made into complex 3D structures," explains Koh. "The SQUID sensors are used mainly in the medical applications, such as magnetoencephlogram (MEG) and magnetocardiography (MCG) systems."

On the other hand, miniaturization can also affect device performance. In addition to their use in compassing applications, anisotropic magneto- resistance (AMR) sensors have potential to make inroads against Hall effect sensors in high-volume (for example, automotive or other) applications, particularly if their prices decline. 'Killer applications' such as these are considered to be the driving factor behind the development of such magnetic sensors.

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