Tag - MEMS

Introducing the AsteRx-i for IMU-enhanced GNSS Positioning and Attitude

GNSS receiver manufacturer Septentrio recently announced the launch of the next generation AsteRx-i. The announcement occurred at IEEE/ION Position Location and Navigation Symposium in Monterey, US. The AsteRx-i combines Septentrio’s latest compact, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS engine with an external industrial grade MEMS based IMU. It delivers accurate and reliable GNSS/IMU integrated positioning to the cm-level. It also delivers full 3D attitude at high update rates and low latency.  

AsteRx-i key benefits:

  • IMU-enhanced GNSS positioning with full attitude: heading pitch and roll
  • Quad-constellation, multifrequency, all-in-view RTK receiver
  • AIM+ interference monitoring and mitigation system
  • High-update rate, low-latency positioning and attitude
Designed around demanding requirements for size, weight and power consumption, the AsteRx-i is ideal for optical inspection and photogrammetry. Accompanied by a UAS-tailored carrier board, the AsteRx-i integrates seamlessly into light UAVs. The versatility of design and range of connection interfaces extend the AsteRx-i applicability to automation and robotics as well as logistics. The AsteRx-i includes Septentrio’s GNSS+ suite of positioning algorithms to convert difficult environments into good positioning: LOCK+ technology to maintain tracking during heavy vibration, APME+ to combat multipath and IONO+ technology to ensure continued position accuracy during periods of elevated ionospheric activity. It also features AIM+ interference mitigation and monitoring system which can suppress the widest variety of interferers, from simple continuous narrowband signals to the most complex wideband and pulsed jammers. “Complementing our GNSS portfolio with an INS offering is a natural evolution of our product range. At Septentrio, we design our GNSS solutions with a focus on reliability and availability. Smart integration of inertial sensors builds on these strengths to make affordable high-precision positioning and orientation solutions possible for ever more demanding applications,” said Francesca Clemente, Product Manager at Septentrio.  

Shop Septentrio's line of products at Unmanned Systems Source.

 

About Septentrio

Septentrio designs, manufactures and sells high-precision, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GPS/GNSS equipment for use in demanding applications. Septentrio products are used in a wide variety of industries including marine, construction, agriculture, survey and mapping, geographic information systems (GIS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Inertial Labs releases Industrial and Tactical grade IMU-P, MEMS Inertial Measurement Units

Inertial Labs, Inc. developer and supplier of high performance Inertial Sensors & Systems, recently released its Industrial and Tactical grade IMU-P, MEMS Inertial Measurement Units. Since its introduction in 2015, the IMU-P received much acclaim as a MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit. The IMU-P's outstanding reliability and accuracy in challenging environments -- such as high vibration, rapidly changing temperature extremes, and tough mission profiles -- grew its success. In addition to selling as a stand alone IMU, the IMU-P is integrated into Inertial Labs' AHRS, MRU, and GPS-Aided INS products.  

Growing demand for industrial and tactical

In order to satisfy market demands for Industrial and Tactical grade Inertial Measurement Units, Inertial Labs released two versions of the IMU-P:
  • IMU-P Industrial, with gyroscope residual Bias error over temperature of less than 100 deg/hr (72 deg/hr typical);
  • IMU-P Tactical, with gyroscope residual Bias error over temperature of less than 30 deg/hr (20 deg/hr typical);
The IMU-P Industrial is an excellent solution for stabilization and pointing, where a very efficient and low cost IMU can be an alternative to FOG based systems for EOS stabilization and Line of Sight pointing applications. IMU-P Tactical is a compact, lightweight, and affordable solution with high performance gyroscopes: 1 deg/hr in-run Bias stability and 30 deg/hr maximum Bias error over its operational temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), and superior accelerometers: 5 micro g in-run Bias stability and 0.5 mg Bias residual error over its operational temperature range.  This performance, coupled with its small size and cost, gives IMU-P Tactical a distinct advantage over existing MEMS IMUs on the market. Both models of IMU-P, Industrial and Tactical output high precision Pitch and Roll with 0.05 deg dynamic accuracy.  

IMU-P applications

The high performance IMU-P works in various tactical guidance, navigation, flight control, stabilization, and pointing systems. Due to its high performance level, IMU-P provides an excellent alternative to legacy tactical grade FOG IMU’s providing advantages in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaPC). The device also supports the functions of existing IMUs on the market. For example, the IMU-P is configurable to have the same mechanical and electrical interface as the STIM300. Thus, it acts as a drop-in replacement to STIM300 for approximately half the price. Other publicly available and published protocols can be supported as well. This provides customers a lower cost alternative for their existing designs without additional development costs. "More than one thousand delivered is a significant milestone signifying product maturity and customer acceptance," said Jamie Marraccini, Inertial Labs’ CEO & President. "Inertial Labs continues to invest in the IMU-P and in our IMU-P based AHRS, MRU, and GPS-Aided INS products." Shop Inertial Labs' line of products at Unmanned Systems Source.