Tronics microsystems discusses with UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com the delivery of highly accurate inertial sensors tailored for the unmanned sector, including the launch of the AXO301, AXO305, and the GYPRO4300, a compact, stable option too Fiber Optic Gyros.
Tronics’ MEMS sensors are at the forefront of a new era in precise positioning, navigation, and stabilization for dynamic applications. These sensors are perfectly designed for integration into Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for unmanned systems operating in demanding environments across air, land, and sea.
What challenges in the unmanned sector do Tronics Microsystems’ products address?
For unmanned systems, achieving precise navigation and positioning necessitates high-accuracy inertial sensors that can deliver dependable data in environments where GNSS signals are weak or absent, all while enduring significant vibrations and rapid temperature fluctuations. As an example, an electric VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and landing) aircraft navigating through urban canyons must depend on a reliable inertial navigation system to maintain its course when GNSS signals are compromised.
The inertial sensors utilized in Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) must effectively mitigate vibrations caused by propellers and maintain stability across a broad temperature range. Tronics’ advanced MEMS accelerometers and gyros offer a lightweight, low-power, and compact alternative to conventional analog quartz accelerometers and Fiber Optic Gyros, enhancing the flight autonomy of VTOL and UAVs while delivering the tactical-grade performance essential for navigating dynamic unmanned systems.
What distinguishes Tronics Microsystems in the fields of railway, drone, autonomous vehicles, and robotics?
Manufacturers must prioritize the utmost accuracy and reliability of their products while managing their time-to-market effectively. In the high-performance sector, Tronics stands out as the sole provider of both digital closed-loop MEMS accelerometers and gyros with tactical-grade performance, facilitating quicker integration of Tronics sensors into multi-axis Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and INS.
Unlike analog-focused solutions prevalent in the high-performance MEMS inertial sensor market, the digital output of our AXO accelerometers and GYPRO gyros allows clients to lower their Bill of Materials (BoM) costs by eliminating the need for expensive discrete components like low-noise amplifiers and high-resolution ADCs.Technically,the closed-loop electronic architecture in our accelerometers and gyros ensures superior vibration rectification performance,a critical requirement for dynamic applications in railway,advanced air mobility,and land navigation sectors.
What is the future of Tronics Microsystems’ solutions in the unmanned and autonomous sectors for 2023 and beyond?
The year 2023 marks a significant milestone for Tronics. Following the successful introduction of the AXO3015 in 2020, designed for high-precision navigation and positioning in constrained temperature settings like UAVs and VTOLs, we are broadening our AXO300 accelerometer line with the AXO301, a high-resolution accelerometer specifically for train positioning and localization, alongside the AXO305, a ± 5 g accelerometer for motion control and navigation in land, marine, and subsea systems, including underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles).
To offer a comprehensive inertial sensor portfolio, our newly launched GYPRO4300 gyro presents a miniature, digital, and low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) alternative to Fiber Optic Gyros and Dynamically Tuned Gyros, setting the stage for a new generation of precise positioning, navigation, and stabilization in dynamic applications.
this gyro boasts a ± 300 °/s input measurement range, a 200 Hz bandwidth, 1 ms latency, and <2°/h Bias Instability, with a closed-loop architecture that guarantees high linearity and stability in dynamic conditions. The GYPRO4300 is the inaugural product from our GYPRO4000 gyro platform, which will soon expand with additional high-performance product references focusing on noise and bias stability.
