Latest IMU tested for performance in extreme space environment
Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd. and Japan’s Science Tokyo have collaboratively conducted a program to test the capabilities of the company’s DMU41 inertial measurement unit (IMU) for LEO space applications.
The test program explored the use of the high-performance DMU41 for space platform guidance and attitude control in commercial LEO. This involved exposing the DMU41 to several rounds of radiation testing to simulate exposure to naturally occurring radiation in the lower Earth orbit, including single event effect (SEE) and total ionizing dose (TID) tests.
The DMU41 is a tactical-grade, 9 degrees of freedom, IMU. It is a robust, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) product that operates in temperatures ranging from -40oC to +85oC, delivering exceptional low noise performance, bias instability and angle random walk. Its performance challenges that of typical fiber-optic gyro IMUs in a far more compact package – measuring just 50 x 50 x 50mm, weighing under 180g and consuming less than 2.5w.
Silicon Sensing General Manager, David Somerville, said, “Working with the prestigious Science Tokyo on this new test program to demonstrate the capabilities of our DMU41 IMU has been a milestone development for us, as we celebrate our 25th year of business. The global LEO satellite market, with a CAGR predicted at around 17% over the next 4 – 5 years, is an important future market for us – and an area where we are already experiencing growing demand. In this environment performance, size, endurance and power consumption are all critical factors where we believe our technology can make a real performance difference.”
About Silicon Sensing Systems
Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd. is a gyroscope and inertial systems engineering development company, jointly owned by Collins Aerospace and Sumitomo Precision Products. The company was formed in 1999 and is, today, a market leader in silicon, micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based navigation and stabilization technology. Many millions of MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers have been supplied to thousands of customers since the company’s formation.
This post was originally published on here
