A vehicle guidance system for guiding a vehicle along a magnetic marker including
a first magnetic sensor having a sensing axis, the first sensor measuring a first
magnetic field. A second magnetic sensor has a sensing axis, the second sensor
measuring a second magnetic field. The sensing axis of the second magnetic sensor
crosses the sensing axis of the first magnetic sensor at a vehicle guide point.
A processor is configured to receive data representative of the magnetic field
measured by the first and second sensors and to calculate a lateral offset between
the guide point and the magnetic marker based upon the measured magnetic fields.
A method for guiding a vehicle in response to a marker having magnetic field is
also disclosed. The steps of the method include measuring magnetic field strength
proximate the marker, measuring ambient magnetic field strength remote from the
marker, nulling the ambient magnetic field by removing the remote magnetic field
strength from the proximate magnetic field strength, calculating a lateral displacement
between the vehicle and the marker using the nulled magnetic field strength, and
guiding the vehicle in response to the lateral displacement between the vehicle
and the marker.