Magnetic flowmeter having a programmable bi-directional current generator

A magnetic flowmeter includes a flow tube assembly and a programmable bi-directional current generator. The flow tube assembly receives the fluid flow and includes a coil and an electromotive force (EMF) sensor. The coil is configured to produce a magnetic field across the fluid flow in response to a coil current. The EMF sensor is arranged to sense an EMF across the fluid flow that is proportional to the flow rate, and generate an output indicating the induced EMF. The current generator includes a profile generator that issues profile commands, a power amplifier and a controller. The controller is configured to control the power amplifier to generate coil current pulses forming the coil current that travel through the coil in alternating directions. Each coil current pulse has a current profile that is based on a corresponding profile command.