The Information Tethered Micro Autonomous Rotary Stage (ITMARS) effort explores the unique capability to precisely rotate micromachined structures in a controllable manner. Although the use of micromotors for optical and mechanical switches has been demonstrated, most applications have used structures fabricated into the rotary stage without the availability of active electrical power, limiting the application space. One of the key elements of this effort is to provide electrical power to the rotating stage, while still allowing full stage rotation and precise position control. Ultimately, the availability of power allows inertial sensors and timing references to be integrated directly on the micro-stage enabling several key Micro-PNT applications such as gyrocompassing/north finding and on-chip self-calibration.
ITMARS
The Information Tethered Micro Autonomous Rotary Stage (ITMARS) effort explores the unique capability to precisely rotate micromachined structures in a controllable manner. Although the use of micromotors for optical and mechanical switches has been demonstrated, most applications have used structures fabricated into the rotary stage without the availability of active electrical power, limiting the application space. One of the key elements of this effort is to provide electrical power to the rotating stage, while still allowing full stage rotation and precise position control. Ultimately, the availability of power allows inertial sensors and timing references to be integrated directly on the micro-stage enabling several key Micro-PNT applications such as gyrocompassing/north finding and on-chip self-calibration.
ITMARS is a one phase effort. Performers are working to develop a 10 cm3, 500 mW stage that can operate for greater than 100 hrs with an angular position accuracy of 50 milli-degrees, wobble of 40 micro-radians, and rotation rate of 10 degrees/sec.
MINT
The Micro Inertial Navigation Technology (MINT) effort aims to create navigation sensors that use secondary inertial variables, such as velocity and distance, to mitigate the error growth encountered with the inertial sensor alone. The combination of micro scale navigation aiding sensors will provide navigation accuracy that a traditional inertial measurement unit (IMU) – equipped with only accelerometers and gyroscopes – cannot accomplish. If successful, the MINT effort seeks the creation of micro and nano scale low-power navigation sensors that allow long term (hours to days) GPS denied precision navigation.
The MINT effort is executing the second and third of its three planned phases. The final goal of the effort is to demonstrate inertial navigation accuracy on the order of 1 meter over 10 hours in a 1 cc volume using 5 mW of power.
PASCAL
The Primary and Secondary Calibration on Active Layer (PASCAL) effort aims to overcome the challenges associated with the loss of calibration in inertial sensors and clocks over time. The two main PASCAL objectives are to (1) enable the use of the state-of-the-art small Size, Weight, and Power plus Cost (SWAP+C) sensors in applications demanding high performance through dramatic improvement in long-term bias and scale-factor stability, and (2) allow zero maintenance deployment or in-field calibration. If successful, the effort will eliminate the expensive recall of components from the field, subsequent recalibration in the laboratory, and reinsertion of the components back into systems.
The PASCAL effort is currently in the first of three phases. The ultimate goal of the effort is to achieve an effective bias and scale factor deviation of less than 1 part per million (1 ppm) over a one-month period while not exceeding 30 mm3 volume and 50 mW of power consumption.
TIMU
The Single Chip Timing and Inertial Measurement Unit (TIMU) effort seeks to address the challenges associated with the development of miniature, low-power, high-performance, and self-sufficient navigation systems that might be realized through innovative manufacturing and advanced architectures integrating timing and inertial measurement units. The smallest state-of-the-art IMUs perform on the level of tactical-grade instruments and are about the size of an apple; this effort, however, intends to develop a technological foundation for a navigation-grade TIMU with significant reductions in Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), potentially miniaturizing to the size of an apple seed. If successful, the small size and functionality of the TIMU chip will enable superior navigation and guidance capabilities for advanced munitions, various military platforms, and individual combatants under a wide range of operational conditions.
The TIMU effort is currently in the first of three phases. The final goal of this effort is to achieve a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 1 nmi/hour while not exceeding 10 mm3 in volume and 200 mW in power consumption.