The paper deals with the analysis of an Active Magnetic Bearing system by the Finite Element Method and the magnetic vector potential formulation. This work proposes an optimal shape and dimensions of the legs of stator and air gap.

We have managed to build up a computer controlled system using National Instruments Data Acquisition card and National Instruments LabVIEW software package. First, the specimen under test has been simulated by the Jiles-Atherton model, but simulated measurements have been performed using LabVIEW functions. Our main goal now is to control the magnetic flux density during measurement by using a toroidal core with a feedback controller. In this paper, we show the developed procedure which is suitable for measurement of the hysteresis characteristics using analogue and digital integrators, and to control the waveform of the magnetic flux density determined from the induced voltage of the secondary coil wound on a toroidal core. Our experience is that the developed controller is robust. This work is an initial step to the future work on a vector hysteresis measurement system. © 2007 FEI STU.