Introducing the TAC-440: A Revolutionary MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit

EMCORE Corporation has unveiled the TAC-440 MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), touted as the world’s most compact IMU with a precision of 1°/hour. With a remarkably small footprint of under 5 cubic inches, the TAC-440 serves as a high-performance alternative to the Honeywell 1930 and 4930 IMUs, maintaining compatibility in form, fit, and function.

Unmatched Performance Through Advanced Technology

The extraordinary capabilities of the TAC-440 IMU stem from EMCORE’s advanced quartz MEMS inertial sensor technology. This innovative quartz approach allows for the mass production of finely engineered sensor components,leveraging the natural high signal output and thermal stability characteristics of quartz. The TAC-440 boasts a gyro bias stability of 1°/hour and an accelerometer bias stability of 1 mg, alongside an impressively low Angle Random Walk (ARW) of 0.05°/√hour across a broad temperature spectrum. Its performance remains robust in the face of temperature fluctuations, shocks, and vibrations, achieving a velocity Random Walk (VRW) rating of 32 µg/√Hz (τ=-1/2).

Designed for Challenging Environments

The TAC-440 IMU is engineered for rigorous, mission-critical applications across various sectors, including defense, commercial, industrial, and marine fields, such as uavs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and robotics. Its solid-state quartz sensors and hermetically sealed construction ensure dependable Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and longevity. Features like Continuous Built-in Test (BIT), customizable communication protocols, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding enhance the TAC-440’s usability in complex integrated system applications.

Flexible synchronization Options

This innovative IMU supports four distinct data message synchronization methods,allowing for either input synchronization pulse capability or output time of validity.Users can select whether the synchronization pulse is generated internally and output as a Time of Validity (TOV) for the data or if the TAC-440 software will detect an external synchronization pulse and align the output data accordingly.

Industry Insights from EMCORE Leadership

Matthew Vargas, EMCORE’s Vice President of Sales, expressed enthusiasm about the TAC-440’s launch, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce the TAC-440 as a vital addition to our IMU lineup. It plays a crucial role in extreme shock and vibration conditions, offering a more compact yet equally effective alternative to our well-regarded SDI500 IMU.We look forward to its successful qualification in meeting the needs of our key customers.”