GPS/INS integration by using inertial sensors based upon minielectromecanic systems (MEMS)

Abstract

The need of acquisition of great volumes of positioning information has been driving the research in the direction of the integration of measurement systems for the time and cost optimization of the geodetic surveying. The GPS/INS integration search for this optimization, but it faces challenges related to the high acquisition cost and development of instruments. Besides that, specific computing developments are required to several applications Therefore in this work a somewhat straightforward methodology to the use of GPS/INS integration to the evaluation of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) is proposed. Nowadays, such MEMS devices can be considered of low cost and they represent an accessible approach for the research. Although the levels of performance of such systems are still inadequate for the most of the geodetic applications, the procedures developed here can be used when MEMS inertial sensors with satisfactory performance will be available. In this work high precision sensor measurements are used to establish references to the MEMS sensors measurements. This thesis work shows that the MEMS devices are currently suitable for the low cost geodetic instrumentation research. Consequently, it is related to the directives of current strategic researches that try to turn accessible new methodologies and technologies for the geodesic positioning.