Improving Planetary Rover Attitude Estimation via MEMS Sensor Characterization

Sensors

Javier Hidalgo²  Pantelis Poulakis¹  Johan Köhler¹  Jaime Del-Cerro² 

[1] Automation and Robotics Section, ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk 2200 AG, The Netherlands; E-Mail:;Centro de Automática y Robótica, UPM-CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain; E-Mails:

关键词: micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS);    inertial measurement unit (IMU);    inertial navigation system (INS);    sensor characterization;    sensor fusion;    attitude estimation;    planetary rover;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s120202219

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are currently being considered in the space sector due to its suitable level of performance for spacecrafts in terms of mechanical robustness with low power consumption, small mass and size, and significant advantage in system design and accommodation. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the performance and testing of these new sensors, especially in planetary robotics. This paper presents what is missing in the field: a complete methodology regarding the characterization and modeling of MEMS sensors with direct application. A reproducible and complete approach including all the intermediate steps, tools and laboratory equipment is described. The process of sensor error characterization and modeling through to the final integration in the sensor fusion scheme is explained with detail. Although the concept of fusion is relatively easy to comprehend, carefully characterizing and filtering sensor information is not an easy task and is essential for good performance. The strength of the approach has been verified with representative tests of novel high-grade MEMS inertia sensors and exemplary planetary rover platforms with promising results.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland