Low Cost MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit

Draper has been a pioneer in developing MEMS inertial technology for the past 20 years. From being the first to publish data demonstrating the capability of measuring angular rate using silicon technology, to recent advances that have enabled development of small, high performing, low-cost inertial technology, Draper has been at the forefront of MEMS inertial technology evolution. Draper has recently completed the testing of the latest IMU design based on the latest gyro and accelerometer sensors and ASIC technologies. The IMU is 8.1 in3 in total volume including mounting, weighs 0.6 lbs, operates from a +5 VDC input at a total power of 3.1 Watts, and is designed to survive a 20,000G gun launch. During the qualification testing phase, Draper tests measured 14 day turn-on to turn-on bias and scale factor stability of 3 °/h (1o) bias and 70 PPM (1 o) on average across power down, power up, thermal excursions from 0 °C to +70 °C, and dismount and re-mount of the system. Angle random walk measurements exhibited noise performance of 0.05 to 0.09 °/ h . In-run bias and scale factor measurements across a 70 °C variation in temperature averaged 8 °/h (1o) bias and 250 PPM (1o) scale factor. Green chart measurements of variance versus averaging time indicate 0.1 °/h performance in 1000 second averages. The IMU currently is being intensively tested at the Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (CIGTF) at Holloman Air Force Base. This paper will include recent CGTIF test results and plans for future testing. Additionally, a performance roadmap that details plans for continued advancement of the technology will be detailed.