In aerospace, IMUs are used to provide navigation information to the flight control system, allowing aircrafts to maintain their course and stability. They are also used in spacecraft to provide guidance and control during space missions.
TECH BLOG
Unlocking precision and innovation for tomorrow’s industry: The power of IMUs
What is an IMU?
An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is an electronic device that uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sometimes magnetometers to measure the force, angular rate, and orientation of an object.
Accelerometers measure linear acceleration along the three orthogonal axes of the device, whereas gyroscopes measure angular velocity around the same axes. Magnetometers, on the other hand, measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field, which can be used for orientation estimation.
Where can IMUs be found?
Many areas use IMUs. They can be used to track the position, orientation and movement of vehicles and aircraft, to stabilise drones and other unmanned vehicles and to monitor the movements of athletes. In aerospace, the measuring devices are used to provide navigation information for the flight control system. In robotics, IMUs are used for motion planning, control and analysis. In areas with weak signals, such as tunnels, IMUs are a valuable addition to GPS devices.
In sports, IMUs can be used to measure the movements of athletes in order to optimise performance and prevent injuries. IMUs are becoming increasingly common in consumer electronics as well, including smartphones and gaming controllers, where they can be used for motion sensing and virtual reality applications.
Why are they important?
IMUs are central to providing accurate data on specific acceleration, angular velocity and magnetic fields that enable orientation estimation and motion tracking. Their compactness and light weight enable seamless integration into existing systems. Another advantage is that they can be used in a wide range of environments, including high vibration and extreme temperature conditions.
IMUs provide real-time data that was previously difficult or impossible to obtain, improving safety, efficiency and performance. As the technology evolves, its importance will continue to grow and shape a dynamic future.
Important function examples
Why do IMUs need calibration?
A major disadvantage of using IMUs for navigation is that they typically suffer from accumulated error. Because the guidance system is continually integrating acceleration with respect to time to calculate velocity and position (see dead reckoning), any measurement errors, however small, are accumulated over time. Various factors - internal to the sensor as well as environmental conditions - can influence the behaviour of the IMUs and possibly falsify the measurement result.
With a calibration the deviation of the sensors can be determined and corrected accordingly.
General conditions that can (negatively) influence the sensor behaviour:
- offset error: this error can be split between stability performance (drift while the sensor remains in invariant conditions) and repeatability (error between two measurements in similar conditions separated by varied conditions in between)
- scale factor error: errors on first order sensitivity due to non repeatabilities and nonlinearities
- misalignment error: due to imperfect mechanical mounting
- cross axis sensitivity: parasitic measurement induced by solicitation along an axis orthogonal to sensor axis
- noise: dependent on desired dynamic performance
- environment sensitivity: primarily sensitivity to thermal gradients and accelerations
How can SPEKTRA assist you with your IMUs?
Fact 1: Especially complex inertial measurement units (IMU) combining several acceleration and angular rate sensors must be calibrated regularly to ensure reliable measurements.
Fact 2: Last year, SPEKTRA calibrated more than 7000 IMUs with the highest measuring accuracy. These include the following types: Kistler DTI 5002, OXTS RT100x-400x, ASC IMU7xxx and many more.
We provide calibration services at the highest level and with in-house systems for your sensors. These are your benefits:
- service in accredited laboratory
- high-end measurement technology - developed and manufactured by SPEKTRA
- highest possible measurement accuracy
- traceable for reproducible measurements
- short processing time in our laboratory
- express calibration is possible
Did you know...?
... SPEKTRA calibration systems are developed and manufactured in-house and distributed worldwide? For users who have many IMU sensors in use, a complete solution can pay off.
The CS Q-LEAP™ measuring systems for testing and calibrating IMUs consist of the HERO™ Controller, a power amplifier and suitable exciters (vibration, angular velocity...). With the comprehensive CS Q-LEAP™ calibration software and the matching accessories, you have everything right on site.
Conclusion
Overall, the versatility and accuracy of IMUs make them an essential tool for a range of industries and applications. As technology continues to advance, it's likely that IMUs will play an increasingly important role in the way we navigate and interact with the world around us. With a wide range of services, SPEKTRA ensures that the IMU performance remains accurate and reliable.
SPEKTRA is with you along the way! Contact our experts now.
Phone: +49 351 400 24 0 | Email: sales@spektra-dresden.com
