The challenge to develop new innovative devices and methods to create a miniature, low cost, low drift, high accuracy inertial navigation system (INS). This challenge is met using arrays of COTS MEMS inertial devices to fabricate a small light weight rugged IMU/INS with GPS and a embedded dual processor architecture capable of multiple I/O connections. Bench top testing will demonstrate an ultra low drift IMU/INS GPS-independence, especially when in GPS-denied situations. An advanced heading system with a suite of advanced algorithms will be tested externally and compared with candidate Kalman Filter solutions before being integrated with the IMU/INS to demonstrate accurate azimuth and optimum position determination.
Benefit: The new rugged IMU/INS light weight low power design can be optimized for a number of UAV applications based on low production costs, excellent accuracy and preliminary sensor low drift error performance reports. Based on the numerous business relationships, and several signed agreements with large DoD Corporations to deliver prototypes that fit within specific vertical market segments, evaluation units have been released to the market in Q4, 2011 and Q1, 2012. A non-DoD market is being established with the notification from the head of the team of the pending start of a VA funded program for multi-sensor monitoring and action to raise the comfort level of artificial leg users that will demonstrate the use of accurate IMUs to monitor motion to help optimize wearer comfort level.
Keywords: Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Inertial Navigating System (INS), micro electromechanical systems (MEMS), Attitude, inertial
