A magnetic sensor device (300) for sensing magnetic particles (15), the magnetic sensor device (300) comprising a magnetic field generator unit (12) adapted for generating a magnetic field, an excitation signal source (302) adapted for supplying the magnetic field generator unit (12) with a static electric excitation signal, an excitation switch unit (303) adapted for switching between different modes of electrically coupling the excitation signal source (302) to the magnetic field generator unit (12), and a sensing unit (11) adapted for sensing a signal indicative of the presence of the magnetic particles (15) in the generated magnetic field.