MEMS based inertial navigation system: An exploratory analysis

Abstract

Sensing technology based on MEMS is rapidly growing in all spheres of engineering and science for miniaturization of systems. Performance of an aerial vehicle along with situational awareness to pilots depends on Inertial Navigation System (INS). INSs with hybrid sensors are successfully flying in the aerial vehicles for more than four decades. In today's era, MEMS sensing techniques in avionics have superseded the hybrid sensors. MEMS based INS are already being used in small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), however to meet the stringent operational requirements in the defense services, UAVs and manned aerial vehicles (MAVs) are being deployed with MEMS based INS. INS with MEMS have positive edge over the INS with hybrid sensor in terms of weight, volume and power consumption but the qualification criteria as per military standards for real application in aircraft is under evaluation. This paper describes the detailed review of INS with MEMS and Hybrid sensors.