A 
magnetic field sensor for measuring a direction of a 
magnetic field in a plane comprises a sensing structure comprising a ring-shaped well, a plurality of contacts of 
equal size placed at equal distance from each other along the ring-shaped well, and an 
electronic circuit comprising a plurality of electronic switches associated with the contacts of the sensing structure, a 
logic block for controlling the electronic switches, at least one 
current source, a means for measuring a difference between a first 
voltage and a second 
voltage, a timing circuit providing a 
control signal for controlling the 
logic block and providing a reference 
signal, wherein the 
logic block is adapted to close and open the electronic switches under the control of the 
control signal according to a predetermined scheme such that a predetermined number of contacts of the plurality of contacts form a vertical 
Hall element that is supplied with current from the at least one 
current source and that has two contacts connected to the means for measuring, and such that the vertical 
Hall element is moved in steps along the ring-shaped well, and a means for measuring a phase shift between the reference 
signal and an output 
signal of the 
voltage measuring means.