inertial navigation system

Discover the top 5 advantages of MEMS GNSS/INS technology, including cost efficiency, lightweight design, and high accuracy. Ideal for drones, aviation, and surveying.   In modern navigation technology, MEMS GNSS/INS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Navigation System) has gradually become the preferred solution in numerous application fields due to its unique advantages. Whether it is marine surveying, land measurement, or navigation for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robots, or helicopters, MEMS GNSS/INS can provide outstanding performance. Today, let's talk about its five core advantages.   一、What is MEMS GNSS/INS? MEMS GNSS/INS is a technology that integrates MEMS inertial navigation system (MINS) with global navigation satellite system (GNSS). By combining the advantages of both, it can provide high-precision position (Position), velocity (Velocity) and attitude (Attitude) information, which is abbreviated as PVA. GNSS: Provides absolute position information through satellite signals, but is susceptible to interference or interruption of the signals. INS: Based on inertial sensors, it can continuously output motion data, but there is a problem of error accumulation.   The complementarity of the two enables the integrated system to not only suppress the drift of inertial navigation but also make up for the instability of GNSS signals, thereby achieving high-precision navigation over both short-term and long-term periods.   二、Analysis of Five Major Advantages 1. High Cost Efficiency The manufacturing of MEMS devices adopts the large-scale production technology of the semiconductor industry, which significantly reduces the production cost. Compared with traditional inertial navigation systems such as fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG), the price of MEMS GNSS/INS is more affordable and suitable for a wider range of applications in aviation and other fields.   2. Lightweight and Portable The core feature of MEMS technology is miniaturization, with its size typically measured in micrometers. This compact size makes it an ideal choice for devices with limited space, such as drones or small aircraft. The lightweight design not only reduces the overall load but also enhances fuel efficiency and flight performance.   3. Flexible Installation The compactness of MEMS GNSS/INS enables it to be adapted to various installation positions, whether fixed on the wing, fuselage, or other confined spaces, and can be easily integrated. This flexibility provides more possibilities for the design of modern avionics systems and automation equipment.   4. Low-power Design The advancement of MEMS technology has significantly reduced power consumption. Through the optimization of power supply cycles and low-power modes, the energy consumption of MEMS GNSS/INS is much lower than that of traditional inertial navigation systems. For devices powered by batteries (such as drones), this means longer mission times and fewer charging requirements, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.   5. GNSS integration enhances accuracy Simple MEMS INS can only calculate the motion trajectory based on relative positions, while GNSS can provide absolute positioning. The combination of the two not only compensates for each other's shortcomings but also corrects the accumulated errors of MEMS INS through filtering algorithms, achieving higher-precision navigation.   三、Outstanding Solution: Micro-Magic MEMS INS As a leader in inertial navigation technology, Micro-Magic has launched three GNSS-assisted MEMS INS products with different levels of accuracy, covering requirements for surveying, tactical, and industrial applications. Among them, the surveying-grade product IF3500 stands out particularly: Zero bias stability: 0.06°/hr Accuracy of heave measurement: 5cm or 1% High-precision MEMS accelerometer, with a range of ±10g, zero bias instability < 30µg   This product achieves a seamless integration of GNSS and INS, not only providing short-term high-precision navigation information, but also correcting long-term errors using GNSS. It is an ideal choice for various high-precision applications.   四、Conclusion MEMS GNSS/INS, with its features of low cost, lightweight, flexible installation, low power consumption and high accuracy, is redefining modern navigation technology. It can bring significant value enhancement to users in fields such as aviation, surveying, and automation. If you are looking for an efficient and reliable navigation solution, MEMS GNSS/INS is undoubtedly worth considering! IF3600 Whatever you needs, Micro-Magic is at your side. IF3500 Whatever you needs, Micro-Magic is at your side. IF3700 Whatever you needs, Micro-Magic is at your side.  

Key Points Product: I3500 GNSS-Aided MEMS INS Key Features: Components: Cost-efficient MEMS IMU, dual-antenna satellite positioning module, magnetometers, and barometer. Function: Provides high-precision navigation data, maintaining performance during GNSS outages. Applications: Suitable for drones, autonomous navigation, surveying, and motion analysis. Inertial Navigation: Combines inertial measurements for position, velocity, and attitude calculation. Conclusion: The I3500 exemplifies the integration of MEMS INS and GNSS, enhancing navigation reliability and accuracy across various sectors.   MINS/GNSS integrated navigation, refers to the fusion of information from both MINS (MEMS INS) and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). This integration combines the strengths of both systems to complement each other and achieve accurate PVA (Position, Velocity, Attitude) results. Classification of MEMS Inertial Navigation Systems After more than 30 years of development, MEMS inertial technology has advanced rapidly and seen wide application. Various practical MEMS inertial devices and MEMS INS have emerged, finding extensive use in fields such as aerospace, maritime, and automotive industries. Tactical-grade MEMS gyroscopes (with bias stability of 0.1°/h to 10°/h, 1σ) and high-precision MEMS accelerometers (with bias stability of 10⁻⁵g to 10⁻⁶g, 1σ) have marked the entry of tactical-grade MEMS INS into the model application stage. Generally, MEMS inertial systems can be classified into three levels: Inertial Sensors Assembly (ISA), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and Inertial Navigation System (INS), as illustrated in Figure 1. Fig.1 Three Levels Of Mems Ins (2) MEMS ISA: Comprised solely of three MEMS gyroscopes and three MEMS accelerometers, it lacks the capability to operate independently. MEMS IMU: Builds on the MEMS ISA by adding A/D converters, mathematical processing chips, and specific programs, enabling it to independently collect and process inertial information. MEMS INS: Further expands on the MEMS IMU by incorporating coordinate transformation, filtering processes, and auxiliary modules, which typically include magnetometers and GNSS receiver boards. Auxiliary sensors like magnetometers are particularly significant in aiding MEMS INS alignment and enhancing performance. The three newly launched MEMS INS (Micro-Magic Inc-Mechanical System Inertial Navigation System) models by Ericco, shown in the image below, are suitable for applications in drones, flight recorders, intelligent unmanned vehicles, roadbed positioning and orientation, channel detection, unmanned surface vehicles, and underwater vehicles. Fig.2 The Three Newly Launched Mems Ins Models By Ericco How GNSS-Aided MEMS INS Works GNSS provides users with all-weather, high-precision absolute position and time information, while inertial navigation systems (INS) offer high short-term resolution and strong autonomy. Their complementary characteristics enhance overall performance: INS can leverage its high short-term accuracy to provide GNSS with more continuous and complete navigation information, while GNSS can help estimate INS error parameters like bias, thus obtaining more precise observations and reducing INS drift. Fig.3 Three Levels Of Mems Ins Specifically, GNSS uses signals from orbiting satellites to calculate position, time, and velocity. As long as the antenna has a line-of-sight connection with at least four satellites, GNSS navigation achieves excellent accuracy. When satellite visibility is obstructed by obstacles like trees or buildings, navigation becomes unreliable or impossible. INS calculates relative position changes over time using angular rate and acceleration information from the inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU comprises six complementary sensors arranged on three orthogonal axes. Each axis has an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Accelerometers measure linear acceleration, while gyroscopes measure rotational rate. With these sensors, the IMU can accurately measure its relative motion in 3D space. INS uses these measurements to compute position and velocity. Another advantage of IMU measurements is that they provide angular solutions about the three axes. INS converts these angular solutions into local attitudes (roll, pitch, and yaw), providing this data along with position and velocity. Fig.4 The Inertial Measurement Unit Body Coordinate System Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) is a mature high-precision positioning algorithm of GNSS, capable of achieving centimeter-level accuracy in open environments. However, in complex urban environments, signal obstructions and interferences reduce the ambiguity fixing rate, leading to decreased positioning capability. Therefore, researching GNSS RTK and INS integrated positioning systems is crucial for fields such as autonomous navigation, surveying and mapping, and motion analysis. I3500 newly launched by Micro-Magic Inc is a Cost-efficient GNSS aided MEMS INS with a highly reliable MEMS IMU and a dual-antenna full-system full-band positioning and directional satellite module. It also integrates magnetometers and a barometer, which can calculate the size of the attitude Angle and help the drone navigate to the desired altitude. Conclusion Integrating MEMS Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) with GNSS technology significantly enhances navigation accuracy by combining their strengths. MEMS INS, with its rapid advancement, is now widely used in aerospace, maritime, and automotive industries. GNSS provides precise positioning, while MEMS INS ensures continuous navigation, even during GNSS outages. The I3500 by Micro-Magic Inc exemplifies this integration, offering high-precision navigation data, ideal for autonomous navigation, surveying, and motion analysis. In summary, GNSS and MEMS INS integration revolutionizes navigation by improving accuracy, reliability, and versatility across various applications.   I3500 High Accuracy 3-Axis Mems Gyro I3500 Inertial Navigation System