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High-precision measurements of pitch, roll, and yaw rate using three industry leading gyroscopes, as well as x, y, z acceleration via three accelerometers.

IMU05 is available in two versions. The regular model features three top-tier, highly accurate gyroscopes with a bias stability of 1.2°/hr, whilst the S model measures roll, pitch, and yaw rate using three outstanding MEMS high-precision gyroscopes that maintain a bias stability of just 0.8°/hr.

Both options can be used as a standalone sensor, with easy connectivity and configuration options through the CAN or serial interface or in conjunction with VBOX data loggers, allowing for precise synchronisation to GNSS time.

Data from the IMU can be seamlessly integrated with GNSS data from a VBOX 3i to enhance measurement accuracy when GNSS signal reception is interrupted or weakened. Used as an Inertial Navigation System (INS) the IMU05 will produce pitch and roll angles accurate to 0.03° RMS (0.02° RMS for IMU05-S), yaw angles accurate to 0.15° RMS (<0.1° RMS for IMU05-S) and smoother velocity data. This ensures reliable data even when satellite signal reception is compromised.

IMU05-S

IMU05

KEY FEATURES

IMU05 1.2°/h bias drift ±450°/s angular rate range in each axis ±4 g acceleration range in each axis Internal temperature compensation 2.5 x 10-10 °/s angular rate resolution 5 x 10-14 g acceleration resolution CAN or Serial interface 0.03° RMS Pitch/Roll angle accuracy with VBOX 3i 0.15° RMS Yaw angle accuracy with VBOX 3i IP65/ IP67 with Lemo blanking plugs

IMU05-S 0.8°/h bias drift ±450°/s angular rate range in each axis ±10 g acceleration range in each axis Internal temperature compensation 2.5 x 10-10 °/s angular rate resolution 6 x 10-13 g acceleration resolution CAN or Serial interface 0.02° RMS Pitch/Roll angle accuracy with VBOX 3i <0.1° RMS Yaw angle accuracy with VBOX 3i IP65/ IP67 with Lemo blanking plugs

IMU Integration

Survey-grade high-speed GPS is the most accurate way to measure velocity - as long as view to the sky is clear.

Problems arise when buildings or tall trees obstruct the testing ground. If the GPS signal is interrupted, dropouts cause spikes in data, which is not ideal when you are relying on a clean velocity signal.

In order to keep high GPS accuracy even where sky visibility is less than perfect, Racelogic couples data from an IMU and the VBOX 3i GPS data logger.

By blending GPS with data from an Inertial Measurement Unit, housing three gyros and three accelerometers, smoother, more reliable data is produced. The solution can deal with GPS dropouts, maintaining high accuracy. IMU integration realises the high accuracies that VBOX 3i can achieve even when external conditions are compromised, meaning that data has now become more reliable and easier to interpret.

How does IMU Integration improve the GPS data channels?

Velocity

IMU integration decreases the noise for a more accurate reading, and maintains a precise velocity measurement throughout the GPS drop outs.

Heading

The heading reading here is very consistent, providing more accurate results than the GPS only data, which exhibits some noise, even in low speeds.

Position

When mapping vehicle position along a heavily tree lined road, the GPS signal incurs some drop outs and reflections, producing noisy position readings. However, IMU integration corrects the position measurements, creating smoother, more accurate data.

Acceleration

IMU Integration data provides a smoother, more accurate representation of longitudinal acceleration (measured in G-force) during an ABS brake stop.

Brake Testing using IMU Integration

Conducting brake tests on tall vehicles with long suspension travel can result in a speed overshoot of the velocity data, due to the measurements being taken at the high roof position of the GPS antenna. As the brakes are initially applied, there is a higher rate of change in velocity at the roof than there is at the vehicle's centre of gravity (COG).

However, the integration of an IMU04 or IMU03 with a suitably upgraded VBOX 3i can be used to counteract this 'lever-arm' effect by placing the IMU at the COG, which measures the vehicle pitch as it brakes. This data, when combined with that from GPS, provides a compensation for the overshoot and allows for consistent brake stop testing.

Counteracting the lever-arm effect will also aid test engineers when conducting high-dynamic manoeuvres other than brake stops. In slip angle measurements the speed overshoot can occur if the antenna is moving through a greater arc of travel than that of the vehicle's centre of gravity as it corners. Procedures such as lane change manoeuvres can therefore benefit from IMU integration and lever-arm compensation.

The graphs below show how point A has travelled further than point B:

Blue trace = GPS Speed; Red trace = IMU-corrected data

In this example of a high-dynamic brake stop, the blue trace (GPS Speed) overshoots at the initial point of brake application, and then exhibits a damped oscillation as the deceleration continues. The IMU-corrected data (red trace) accurately records the brake stop from the vehicles centre of gravity.

Red (below) = Pitch measured by the IMU; Blue = GPS speed; Red = IMU integrated GPS speed

The traces are of a car going over a speed hump. Note how the GPS speed alters as the vehicle roof moves independently of the COG as it goes over the hump. The integrated speed logs the correct speed of the vehicle.