Using core sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, Inertial Labs’ Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) measure a platform’s acceleration and angular rate across multiple axes, with the data processed by an Inertial Navigation System (INS) to continuously calculate position, velocity, and orientation, without relying on external references such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
This capability makes IMUs and INSs essential technologies for reliable, resilient navigation — especially in environments where GNSS may be unavailable, degraded, or intentionally disrupted.
Inertial Navigation System Applications
INS are an important component in a wide variety of applications for both the civilian and military sectors. Vehicles – such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), manned aircraft, military vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, and unmanned vessels sailing on or below the water – all rely on INS to accurately determine their position and to help them navigate.
Of course, each user has unique requirements for their particular application, so Inertial Labs has a sophisticated range of IMU and INS solutions ready to meet those diverse needs. A UAV maker, for example, may require a compact INS that can integrate with an open-source autopilot system like ArduPilot.
What Sets Inertial Labs’ Products Apart
There are a number of reasons why high-quality INS and IMU products from Inertial Labs are chosen by customers around the world.
- These devices, which are cost-effective and ITAR-free, build upon 25 years of expertise operating in the most challenging environments. They have been tried and tested in the toughest conditions worldwide, resulting in continuous improvement.
- Whatever a customer’s IMU or INS requirements may be, Inertial Labs devices are easily integrated. These ready-to-use solutions allow clients to select the exact product they need, which can be seamlessly installed in any vehicle to achieve operational goals.
- The products are optimised for size, weight, and power (SWaP) considerations. This is vital for a UAV, for example, where weight and size are critical design factors. To reduce their weight and size, Inertial Labs also offers caseless versions if required.
- The INS range is resistant to spoofing and jamming, which is an increasing challenge on modern battlefields. The systems include detection algorithms to identify such attacks and are compatible with ArduPilot.
- Inertial Labs’ INS solutions are fully compatible with the ArduPilot autopilot system and enhance its functionality and stability, offering users flexibility and resilience.
INS – ArduPilot Integration
Inertial Labs INS can connect to ArduPilot in two modes. The first is as an External GNSS, where the INS continuously delivers reliable navigation data that ArduPilot treats the same as GNSS-derived information. The system operates effectively even in GNSS-denied environments.
The second mode is External INS, which means fully integrating INS data into ArduPilot firmware. In this case, the INS functions as the vehicle’s primary navigation system. This flexible setup allows UAV users, for instance, to configure which data the flight controller should use from INS, GNSS, IMU, compass, barometer, or airspeed sensor inputs.
This External INS mode also ensures redundancy. The INS acts as a backup and, if it can no longer function, ArduPilot can still gather inputs from its own sensors. This allows the vehicle to maintain precise awareness of its position and heading, even in challenging environments. This redundancy solution contributes to overall system stability, which is especially important for costly platforms.
Related to this inherent convenience is the Enhanced Mission Planner software with increased functionality, available as part of the integration. The software enables users—at a ground control station, for example—to more easily and rapidly configure ArduPilot with INS, enhancing mission planning and simplifying the user experience.
Why Choose an IMU and INS from Inertial Labs
Inertial Labs continuously improves its products in response to evolving customer requirements and emerging threats on the battlefield. One example of this innovation is a recent breakthrough for quadcopter-type UAVs that require navigation data to be transmitted via high frequency (HF). Set for imminent release, the company’s new INS software architecture that transmits data by HF will introduce new flexibility for UAV navigation.
INS and IMU solutions from Inertial Labs are ready-to-use, precise navigation systems suitable for a multitude of applications across air, land, and sea.
For more information or to request a quote, contact the Inertial Labs sales team or complete the inquiry form on their website.
