MEMS IMU Solutions for Missile Defense Applications

In 2006 Tanenhaus and Associates, Inc. began designing a miniature IMU that met SWaP requirements using its patented innovative approach of combining arrays of COTS MEMS sensors to achieve far superior performance than MEMS used alone. The MEMS arrays provide redundancy and robustness and achieve sensor low drift errors. This Phase I SBIR will provide environmental testing and performance data on COTS MEMS technology that is used in missile defense systems. TAIs ability to verify MEMS ruggedness and accuracy during the compensation of temperature, shock, and vibration while under motion is its primary advantage. TAIs M350 is a high performance GPS-denied tactical grade IMU/INS that meets all SWaP requirements for small size, light weight, low power.The MEMS sensors are fabricated in a radiation hardened process. The static performance parameters of measured inertial MEMS arrays that achieve low drift errors are at least two to three times better than the current state of the art gyros and accelerometer devices that make up the MEMS IMU.The TAI IMU/INS design is flexible; software upgrades allow for its adaptability for a variety of uses with the same internal hardware. The outside case can be changed easily for different mission requirements.