A magnetostrictive torque sensor system stabilizes and detects steering
torque applied to a steering shaft. The sensor system comprises
magnetic-characteristic variation parts that are provided to the steering
shaft, wherein magnetic characteristics of the magnetic-characteristic
variation parts change in accordance with the applied torque; coils that
are positioned around the magnetic-characteristic variation parts and
that respond to changes in the magnetic characteristics; resistance
elements that are serially connected to the coils; voltage-applying means
for periodically applying a voltage to serial circuits that are formed
from the coils and the resistance elements; terminals for retrieving
changes in the terminal voltage of the coils; phase-shifting means for
inverting the phase of the change in the terminal voltage of the coils;
selecting means for alternatingly selecting and outputting the voltage
change in the terminals and the voltage change in the output ends of the
phase-shifting means; and smoothing means for smoothing the voltage
signals output from the selecting means and for outputting a
direct-current voltage.