Yost Labs

Yost Labs is a U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of compact inertial sensors and motion tracking technologies for drones, robotics, and unmanned systems. Designed and built in Portsmouth, Ohio, the company’s cutting-edge 3-Space™ sensor range provides ultra-reliable attitude, heading, and motion data for navigation, stabilization, and control applications.

Proven in the field and selected by a variety of leading UxV manufacturers and defense primes, Yost Labs products are ideal for integration into UAVs, UGVs, and uncrewed marine platforms. The company also works with OEMs and systems integrators to develop modified and custom sensors for challenging bespoke application requirements.

3-Space™ Inertial Sensing Technology

The 3-Space™ family of sensors combines triaxial gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers with onboard sensor fusion to provide a complete attitude and heading reference system (AHRS). Sensors can also output raw, corrected, and normalized measurements for applications requiring direct access to inertial data.

Yost Labs’ proprietary QGRAD sensor fusion algorithms significantly outpace traditional Kalman filtering, providing exceptional accuracy at up to ten times the computation efficiency with update rates of up to 2,000 Hz. Tunable filtering, oversampling, and orientation error correction allow developers to configure the response for their application, and a dynamic sensor confidence algorithm adjusts processing to changing operating conditions.

Orientation can be measured against an absolute reference or a user-defined reference, with outputs available as quaternions, Euler angles, rotation matrices, axis angles, and two-vector representations. The integrated World Magnetic Model provides heading referenced to true, magnetic, or grid north, handling magnetic declination onboard.

Evaluation kits are available for the 3-Space™ Embedded, LX3, and Nano sensors, providing convenient USB connectivity for bench testing, prototyping and configuration before integration into UAV and robotics electronic designs.

QGRAD2 Sensor Fusion Performance Analysis >

Embedded IMUs & AHRS

3-Space™ Embedded

Surface-mount 10-DOF AHRS/IMU/VRU for OEM integration

The 3-Space™ Embedded is a compact surface-mount AHRS/IMU/VRU that combines gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer measurements with barometric pressure sensing. Measuring 23 x 23 x 1.95 mm and weighing just 1.3 grams, the module is ideal for SWaP-limited UAVs and robotic platforms.

The base accelerometer provides selectable ranges from ±2g to ±16g. A high-range option adds a second, automatically selected accelerometer with ranges up to ±320g for impact and high-dynamics measurements.

3-Space™ LX3

Compact 9-axis surface-mount AHRS for unmanned navigation and stabilization

The 3-Space™ LX3 provides nine-axis inertial sensing and onboard orientation processing in a 16 x 15 x 1.7 mm surface-mount module weighing 0.9 grams. Its compact form factor makes it ideal for UAVs and unmanned platforms with limited board space.

Featuring the latest Yost Labs QGRAD3 algorithms and Extended Kalman filtering, it provides update rates up to 2,000 Hz, with World Magnetic Model functionality for heading applications.

3-Space™ Nano IC

Ultra-lightweight single-chip attitude and heading sensing solutions

The 3-Space™ Nano IC integrates triaxial gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer sensing with onboard sensor fusion processing in a 24-pin DFN package that weighs just 0.01 grams, providing a compact solution for designs where PCB space and component weight are critical.

The Nano delivers filtered orientation at up to 200 Hz, with access to raw, corrected, and normalized sensor data. Developers can adjust filtering and oversampling, define reference axes, and communicate via SPI, I2C, or asynchronous serial.

A carrier board is available for the Nano IC, mounting the chip on a castellated surface-mount module with SPI, I2C, and serial interfaces to simplify PCB integration.

Packaged & Ruggedized Sensors

3-Space™ USBC

USB-connected 10-DOF inertial sensors for robotics and vehicle integration

The 3-Space™ USBC AHRS/VRU/IMU provides 10-DOF sensing and onboard orientation processing in a compact package with screwdown or strapdown mounting. The cased USBC-H-C incorporates a triaxial gyroscope, dual auto-selecting accelerometers, magnetometer, and barometric pressure sensor, with USB-C, UART, and RS232 connections.

The unit provides low-range acceleration sensing from ±2g to ±16g and high-range measurements up to ±320g, with QGRAD3 or Extended Kalman filter update rates up to 2,000 Hz. A board-level variant, the USBC-H-B, is available for integration into OEM designs and adds SPI and I2C interfaces.

3-Space™ Watertight

IP68-rated AHRS for maritime, outdoor and industrial applications

The 3-Space™ Watertight houses a 10-DOF inertial sensing system in a rugged IP68-rated cast aluminum enclosure. Designed for maritime and outdoor use, it is ideal for unmanned vehicle navigation, robotic stabilization, motion monitoring, and impact analysis.

The sensor combines dual-range acceleration sensing up to ±320g with QGRAD3 and Extended Kalman filtering at up to 2,000 Hz. The onboard World Magnetic Model provides tilt-compensated heading referenced to true, magnetic, or grid north.

The enclosure accommodates screwdown or strapdown mounting and features a locking watertight connector. Both variants provide USB connectivity, with a choice of 3.3V UART on the HU1 model or RS232 on the HU2. Compatible watertight cables are available in standard 2-meter and 4-meter lengths, with custom lengths available on request.

Inertial Data Loggers

The 3-Space™ Data Logger family combines an AHRS/IMU/VRU with onboard microSD storage and a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. The self-contained units are ideal for recording unmanned vehicle motion, analyzing performance, monitoring vibration, and capturing events without a separate logger or external power supply.

Configurable time-based and event-based logging allows users to select the data they need, with an onboard real-time clock providing timestamped records. USB connectivity provides access to live measurements, configuration settings, and stored files.

The Quick-Mount System allows portable Data Logger units to be moved between measurement locations using screwdown or strap clips. A keyed fit ensures that the logger seats in the same orientation each time. The clips are designed for repositionable and moderate-dynamics installations, and an integrated screwdown/strapdown case can also be utilized for permanent mounting on high-vibration or high-shock equipment.

The product range includes:

• Data Logger Core: Provides standalone inertial data recording and high-speed USB-C connectivity, appearing as both a virtual COM port and a USB mass-storage device for real-time sensor access and retrieval of logged data. Standard and long-life battery options are available.
• Data Logger Link: Adds Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity for wireless access to real-time and logged data, with simultaneous BLE streaming and microSD recording. Dual auto-selecting accelerometers provide low-range measurements and high-range sensing up to ±320g.
• Data Logger Nav: Adds onboard GPS/GNSS to the Link’s wireless connectivity and inertial sensing capabilities, allowing position and motion data to be recorded together. The unit includes a 700 mAh battery and provides USB and BLE access to measurements and stored files.