Correcting a Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)-Based InertialMeasurement Unit (IMU) for Temperature Variations

Northrop Grumman Corporation Engineering, 2012-13

Liaison(s): Sam Dimashkie, Eugene Elbert, Steven M. Kim, Chandrakant Patel MS EE, Ragini Saxena Ph. D
Advisor(s): Katherine Candler
Students(s): Karen Beaty, Kevin Kim (TL-F), Tiffany Liu (TL-S), James McConnaughey (F), Maggie Thompson (F), Chanel Chang (S), Brett Manning (S)

Northrop Grumman is investigating the possibility of using commercially available microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based inertial measurement units (IMUs). However, the performance of these MEMS devices degrades in thermally dynamic environments. The Northrop Grumman Clinic Team aims to develop, test, and compare two methods to address the thermal sensitivity of inertial sensors. One method actively controls the temperature of the IMU, the other applies a thermal compensation algorithm to the raw output data of the sensors.