Attopilot IMU Cube Sensor

 

The AttoPilot IMU cube is highly configurable by the user. It comes with a USB-serial adapter for connection to a PC and configuration using a simple serial terminal window with AT commands.

These sensors are in stock and ready to be shipped worldwide


Description:
The AttoPilot 6 DOF IMU is a complete stand-alone AHRS.
A key feature is the separate physicality, i.e. not being integrated into the autopilot control unit. This design choice allows one-time mounting of the AHRS in a vehicle without further disturbing the orientation. The hermetic enclosure keeps internal components clean, prevents water condensation from affecting sensitive analog components, and physically protects the working PCBs. Four mounting holes and high vibration resistance make installation easy. There is typically no need for foam padding.

Serial version:
Format: 8N1 serial (asynchronous)
Baud rate 4800 to 230,400 settable in 1 baud increments
Update rate 1Hz to 341Hz, depending on limits imposed by chosen baud rate
Data format: nmea 0183 with XOR checksum.
Data fields: body rates for pitch roll and yaw, pitch and roll angle, and heading change rate (dHead/dt) which is useful for tracking heading change between GPS updates and track smoothing. All of these data are to 0.01 degree, and 0.01 eg/sec for rates
Accepts speed data input for centrifugal force corrections. If user's application sends speed data at > 1Hz, the IMU cube differentiates the data to obtain linear acceleration corrections in the X axis (fore-aft axis of the vehicle)

I2C version:
Format: I2C, bit rate not defined yet. Leaning towards 400kbps but 100kbps is a contender as well.
If you are unfamiliar with I2C, the cube is a slave and user's hardware the master. Data is queried from the cube on command.
I2C has potential for several benefits with this type of device when connected to small u-controllers:
much less latency than serial UART (waiting for "$" of next update to arrive). Instead collect the data on command by master device when it is ready binary format of the data is much more compact than serial ASCII character representations of the values many devices can be put on the same 2 data line bus. The IMU cube has a unique address name.
All configuration changes may be stored to onboard non-volatile memory.

Features:
Fast Dynamic Response
High Vibration Resistance
Extensive Temperature Compensation
Hermetically Sealed
-40 to +85 C Operating Range
Rate Gyro ± 300°/s
Accelerometer ± 11 G
341 Hz Internal Update Rate

IMU Model/Processor:
Repeat rate: Measure = 341 Hz
Repeat rate: Prediction sub-loop = 1364 Hz
100% integer math in 32 bits (speed plus adequate precision level)
120 MIPS across 6 interdependent processor cores. 7th core used for
2-way COMS with external hardware
Custom IMU filter developed by AttoPilot LLC. Focus on efficiency,
Fast dynamic response, and accuracy in fixed wing aircraft
Centrifugal force corrections on pitch and roll
High vibration rejection (measure and insert quantitative specs)
3D flight capable

Sensors:
3-axis accelerometer
3-axis rate gyro

Accelerometers:
Range +/- 11g
-3db bandwidth 23 Hz
Calibration range: -40 to +85 C

Rate Gyro:
Range +/- 300 deg/sec
-3db bandwidth 402 Hz
Uncorrected drift: 1 sigma = 0.04 deg/sec
Calibration range: -40 to +85 C


Latest MEMS sensors:
ADXRS610 featuring dual MEMS sensors per axis to reject vibration

Corrections/Compensations (28):
(3) Gyro bias for temperature, 13 point interpolation
(6) Gyro inter-axis misalignment. < 0.06 degree error
(3) Gyro scale
(6) Accel bias and scaling for temperature, 11 point interpolation
(9) Gyro G-force corrections for bias. XYZ corrections each gyro
(1) Processor crystal temperature compensation for maximum numerical integration accuracy

Physical:
Weight: 20 grams
Hermetically sealed
Base plate: 34mm x 34mm. Four Hole pattern 30mm x 30mm, diameter 2mm (5/64")
Enclosure: 27mm x 27mm x 21mm

Electrical:
Voltage: 4.2 to 13.2 VDC
Current: 70mA

ESD Protection:
UART lines full transient voltage protection (+/- 15kV air, +/- 8kV contact)
Power supply transient clamp