When highly accurate motion and orientation tracking is critical to your project, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) delivers the reliable, real-time data you need. Utilising advanced MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology, these sophisticated devices measure a body’s linear accelerations, angular rates, pitch, and roll angles with exceptional precision.
How an IMU Sensor Works
Typically integrated into a broader inertial navigation system, an IMU sensor calculates an object’s attitude, angular rates, linear velocity, and position relative to a global reference frame.
To achieve this, the units rely on powerful onboard sensor fusion software. This software intelligently synthesises data from multiple internal sensors to provide a highly accurate, continuous reading of the object’s exact orientation and heading.
Core Components and Degrees of Freedom (DOF)
Depending on the complexity of your application, an inertial measurement unit generally provides between 2 and 6 DOF (Degrees of Freedom) measurement throughout 3D space. This detailed tracking is achieved by combining three specific sensor types:
Accelerometers
Measure linear acceleration across a single axis in a specific direction.
Gyroscopes
Measure angular velocity across three distinct axes to determine an object’s 3D orientation – pitch (x-axis), roll (y-axis), and yaw (z-axis).
Magnetometers
Detect subtle fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field by measuring magnetic flux density. When combined with accelerometer and gyroscope data, this pinpoints the absolute heading of the system.
Demanding Industrial and Defence Applications
Ruggedised and highly dependable, our IMU sensors are engineered for rigorous sectors that require continuous motion monitoring. They are heavily utilised across Australian automotive, military, aerospace, and marine operations.
Key applications include:
Unmanned Systems
Crucial for the precise guidance, navigation, and control of autonomous technology, including UAVs (unmanned aerial drones), UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), and UUVs (unmanned underwater vehicles).
Crewed Vehicles
Integral navigational components for commercial and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, and satellites, where consistent orientation data underpins everything else the system does.
Defence Technology
Deployed in highly sensitive applications where measurement reliability is critical, and failure isn’t an option.
When highly accurate motion and orientation tracking is critical to your project, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) delivers the reliable, real-time data you need. Utilising advanced MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology, these sophisticated devices measure a body’s linear accelerations, angular rates, pitch, and roll angles with exceptional precision.
How an IMU Sensor Works
Typically integrated into a broader inertial navigation system, an IMU sensor calculates an object’s attitude, angular rates, linear velocity, and position relative to a global reference frame.
To achieve this, the units rely on powerful onboard sensor fusion software. This software intelligently synthesises data from multiple internal sensors to provide a highly accurate, continuous reading of the object’s exact orientation and heading.
Core Components and Degrees of Freedom (DOF)
Depending on the complexity of your application, an inertial measurement unit generally provides between 2 and 6 DOF (Degrees of Freedom) measurement throughout 3D space. This detailed tracking is achieved by combining three specific sensor types:
Accelerometers
Measure linear acceleration across a single axis in a specific direction.
Gyroscopes
Measure angular velocity across three distinct axes to determine an object’s 3D orientation – pitch (x-axis), roll (y-axis), and yaw (z-axis).
Magnetometers
Detect subtle fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field by measuring magnetic flux density. When combined with accelerometer and gyroscope data, this pinpoints the absolute heading of the system.
Demanding Industrial and Defence Applications
Ruggedised and highly dependable, our IMU sensors are engineered for rigorous sectors that require continuous motion monitoring. They are heavily utilised across Australian automotive, military, aerospace, and marine operations.
Key applications include:
Unmanned Systems
Crucial for the precise guidance, navigation, and control of autonomous technology, including UAVs (unmanned aerial drones), UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), and UUVs (unmanned underwater vehicles).
Crewed Vehicles
Integral navigational components for commercial and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, and satellites, where consistent orientation data underpins everything else the system does.
Defence Technology
Deployed in highly sensitive applications where measurement reliability is critical, and failure isn’t an option.
