Motion Sensors - IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units)

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
FMT1030T

FMT1030T

MOTION TRACKING MODULE

86

HG1120AA50

HG1120AA50

Honeywell Aerospace

IMU ACCEL/GYRO UART,CAN,SPI

13

ICM-20789

ICM-20789

TDK InvenSense

MOTION SENSOR IC

201

FMT1010T

FMT1010T

MOTION TRACKING MODULE

79

ICM-20601

ICM-20601

TDK InvenSense

IMU ACCEL/GYRO/TEMP I2C/SPI LGA

1525

MTI-3-T

MTI-3-T

Xsens

IMU ACCEL/GYRO/MAG I2C/SPI

0

V15206-17-01

V15206-17-01

Thales Visionix, Inc.

IMU GYRO 6-AXIS CLASS B

133

ADIS16477-1BMLZ

ADIS16477-1BMLZ

Analog Devices, Inc.

6 DOF PREC IMU, 40G (125 DPS DNR

1

KMX62-1031-SR

KMX62-1031-SR

ROHM Semiconductor

MEMS DEVICE

0

ADIS16445AMLZ

ADIS16445AMLZ

Analog Devices, Inc.

PRECISION INERTIAL SENSOR

115

ICM-20948

ICM-20948

TDK InvenSense

IMU ACCEL/GYRO/COMPI2C/SPI 24QFN

0

ADIS16350AMLZ

ADIS16350AMLZ

Analog Devices, Inc.

TRI-AXIS INERTIAL SENSOR

170

MTI-100-2A8G4

MTI-100-2A8G4

Xsens

IMU

2

LSM9DS1TR

LSM9DS1TR

STMicroelectronics

IMU ACCEL/GYRO/MAG I2C/SPI 24LGA

0

LSM6DS3TR

LSM6DS3TR

STMicroelectronics

IMU ACCEL/GYRO I2C/SPI 14VFLGA

0

ADIS16488BMLZ

ADIS16488BMLZ

Analog Devices, Inc.

IMU ACCEL/GYRO/MAG SPI 24ML

0

MMA5148KWR2528

MMA5148KWR2528

NXP Semiconductors

PSI INERTIAL SENSOR

2000

ICM-20648

ICM-20648

TDK InvenSense

IMU ACCEL/GYRO/TEMP I2C/SPI QFN

142

TARS-HCASS

TARS-HCASS

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

IMU, ACCEL/GYRO, CAN J1939, AMPS

136

ADIS16360BMLZ

ADIS16360BMLZ

Analog Devices, Inc.

FREEDOM INERTIAL SENSOR

30

Motion Sensors - IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units)

1. Overview

Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are electronic devices that measure and report specific force, angular rate, and orientation. They combine multiple sensors (typically accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sometimes magnetometers) to provide six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) data. IMUs are critical in navigation systems, robotics, and motion tracking, enabling precise spatial awareness in applications ranging from aerospace to consumer electronics.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional FeaturesApplication Examples
6-Axis IMUCombines 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscopeSmartphones, wearable devices
9-Axis IMUAdds 3-axis magnetometer for heading accuracyAR/VR headsets, navigation systems
Tactical-Grade IMUHigh-precision MEMS with temperature compensationUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), industrial robotics
Consumer-Grade IMULow-cost, low-power MEMS sensorsIoT devices, gaming controllers

3. Structure and Components

A typical IMU consists of:

  • Accelerometer: Measures linear acceleration using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
  • Gyroscope: Detects angular velocity via Coriolis effect in MEMS structures
  • Magnetometer (optional): Provides heading reference using Earth's magnetic field
  • Signal Conditioning Circuitry: Analog-to-digital converters and temperature sensors
  • Microcontroller: Executes sensor fusion algorithms (e.g., Kalman filters)

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
Measurement RangeMaximum acceleration/angular rate detectableDetermines suitability for high-dynamic environments
Accuracy (Bias/Noise)Error margins under static/dynamic conditionsImpacts long-term stability and precision
Data Update RateSampling frequency (Hz)Higher rates improve real-time responsiveness
Power ConsumptionOperating current/voltage requirementsCrucial for battery-powered devices
Operating TemperatureFunctional temperature rangeAffects reliability in harsh environments

5. Application Fields

  • Autonomous Vehicles: Navigation, lane-keeping, collision avoidance
  • Consumer Electronics: Gesture control in smartphones and gaming consoles
  • Healthcare: Motion analysis in rehabilitation devices
  • Industrial: Predictive maintenance of rotating machinery
  • Aerospace: Flight control systems in drones and satellites

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerProduct SeriesKey Features
STMicroelectronicsLSM6DSOX6-axis IMU with AI motion recognition engine
Analog DevicesADIS16495Tactical-grade IMU with 40g range and 0.005 /hr bias instability
Invensense (TDK)ICM-206896-axis IMU with 8 MHz SPI interface for gaming applications
Bosch SensortecBMI270Low-power 6-axis IMU for wearables with step detection

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

  • Application Requirements: Consumer vs. industrial grade
  • Environmental Factors: Vibration, temperature extremes
  • Integration Complexity: Communication protocols (I2C/SPI), mounting constraints
  • Cost vs. Performance: Trade-offs between precision and budget
  • Calibration Needs: Factory calibration vs. field adjustment

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

  • Integration of AI accelerators for edge computing
  • Miniaturization through advanced MEMS packaging (e.g., 3D wafer-level bonding)
  • Multi-sensor fusion with GNSS and LiDAR for enhanced navigation
  • Increased adoption in medical wearables for fall detection
  • Advancements in fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs) for defense applications

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