SBG Systems, a leader in high-performance inertial technology, has launched a MEMS-based North-seeking Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
This innovation, believed to be a world first, eliminates the need for GNSS aiding, marking a major advancement in precision navigation for demanding applications.
By pioneering MEMS technology in high-accuracy gyrocompassing, SBG Systems sets the stage for future developments in Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS). This milestone brings the benefits of MEMS—compactness, reliability, and cost-effectiveness—to a level of navigation performance previously achievable only with fiber-optic or ring-laser gyroscopes.
SBG Systems’ MEMS-based Inertial Measurement Unit delivers impressive heading accuracy, surpassing 1° secant latitude without GNSS aiding, and achieving an INS heading precision better than 0.01° when fused with GNSS. These capabilities are driven by SBG’s state-of-the-art navigation algorithms, ensuring exceptional orientation performance in all conditions.
Unlike traditional gyrocompasses, this solution features a true MEMS-based design with no moving parts—eliminating the need for carouseling mechanisms. This enhances durability, reliability, and longevity, making it ideal for mission-critical applications.
Key advantages of SBG Systems’ MEMS-Based Gyrocompassing IMU:
- Industry-Leading SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) Optimization: A compact form factor (52 x 52 x 36 mm, <150g) with ultra-low power consumption (2W), making it the most efficient solution in its class.
- Scalable Production: Designed for high-volume manufacturing, ensuring broad accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
- Extreme Durability: No moving parts, guaranteeing long-term reliability in the harshest conditions.
- ITAR-Free: Facilitates unrestricted deployment worldwide.
Next-Generation Gyrocompass Alignment Algorithms
SBG Systems has developed cutting-edge, patent-pending algorithms that redefine gyrocompass and INS alignment performance:
- Pure North-Finding Algorithm: Enables rapid initialization in both static and dynamic conditions, reducing alignment time to as little as one minute.
- Advanced GNSS/INS Fusion: Leverages high-performance gyroscope data to deliver exceptional single-antenna heading accuracy, even in low-dynamic environments.
Designed for Demanding Applications
The MEMS-based North-seeking IMU is engineered to meet the needs of industries where precision navigation is paramount:
- Subsea Operations: Optimized for ROVs and AUVs operating in extreme underwater environments requiring reliable, high-accuracy navigation.
- Geospatial & Marine Surveying: Delivers superior single-antenna heading accuracy for hydrographic mapping, dredging, and offshore positioning.
SBG Systems plans to release the first off-the-shelf solutions in early 2026.
The company will demonstrate the North seeking MEMS-based IMU during Ocean Business 2025 at Booth E4.
