iXblue has launched the UmiX Series, a new state-of-the-art range of inertial measurement units (IMU) based on fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology. According to iXblue, the series of high-performance miniaturized ITAR-free devices includes the most compact high-performance inertial measurement unit in the world.
The UmiX Series is the result of intensive research and development efforts combined with iXblue’s decades-long experience with FOG technology. By integrating the performance of a fully-fledged FOG-based system onto a compact, ready-to-use OEM IMU, the UmiX Series provides an unprecedented level of performance for its size.
The UmiX Series is ideal for a wide range of demanding applications, including UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and robotics navigation, and high-end stabilization and pointing for airborne and land sensor payloads or weapons. Due to its compact size, the IMUs can easily be mounted on all types of platforms.
The UmiX Series features an in-run bias of 0.03°/h and a bias residual of 0.2°/h (1σ), making it ideal for both tactical and short-term navigation applications. UmiX also comes equipped with iXblue’s iXal-S vibrating quartz accelerometers, which have a dynamic range of ~100g max, with navigation-grade bias and scale factor. The IMU is enclosed in a 88.9 × 75 mm (diameter x height) hermetically-sealed enclosure, with a low nominal power consumption of 4W and 7W at peak. The solid-state nature of FOG sensors makes the UmiX Series a robust and reliable IMU, with a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of 120,000 hours.
The first model in the UmiX Series, the UmiX U5, has been launched at the DSEI exhibition. UmiX U9, a military-grade version of the IMU qualified to MIL-spec environments, will be available in 2022.
