Inertial Labs, a VIAVI Solutions Company, develops advanced Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) that provide dependable navigation and motion data across all domains. These systems employ precision sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure acceleration and angular rate across multiple axes.
The resulting data is processed by an INS to determine position, velocity, and orientation continuously, without relying on external aids such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
This independence allows IMUs and INSs to deliver accurate navigation in signal-degraded, denied, or contested environments, making them essential for defense operations that demand continuous positional awareness.
INS Applications Across Defense and Security Platforms
Inertial navigation systems play a vital role across a range of military and commercial platforms. Manned aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), ground combat vehicles, unmanned ground systems, and maritime or subsea vessels all depend on INS technology to ensure stable and accurate navigation performance.
Operational demands vary widely between platforms, and Inertial Labs provides a flexible suite of IMU and INS configurations to meet those requirements. For example, unmanned aircraft integrators often need compact INS units that can link seamlessly with open-source autopilot systems such as ArduPilot.
What Sets Inertial Labs Systems Apart
- A combination of field-proven experience, integration simplicity, and attention to size, weight, and power (SWaP) efficiency distinguishes Inertial Labs within the inertial navigation sector.
- Proven through experience: The company’s cost-effective, ITAR-free systems are built upon 25 years of expertise operating in demanding environments. These systems have been tested in challenging conditions worldwide, driving consistent improvement across successive generations.
- Streamlined integration: Inertial Labs designs its IMU and INS products for easy implementation. Ready-to-use configurations enable customers to select the exact unit needed and rapidly integrate it into existing architectures or mission systems.
- SWaP optimization: Systems are developed with stringent SWaP requirements in mind, critical for UAV and other space-limited applications. To further minimize size and mass, caseless options are available when required.
- Protection against interference: Designed for modern battlefields, Inertial Labs INS units incorporate algorithms that detect and mitigate spoofing or jamming attempts. This ensures reliable operation when GNSS signals are compromised.
- Enhanced interoperability: Full compatibility with ArduPilot enhances autopilot stability and expands its operational functionality, providing a dependable solution in GNSS-denied or degraded environments.
Integration of INS with ArduPilot
Inertial Labs INS units can integrate with the ArduPilot autopilot platform in two configurations: External GNSS and External INS.
In External GNSS mode, the INS continuously provides reliable navigation data that ArduPilot treats as GNSS-derived information, maintaining operational performance even without satellite input. In External INS mode, the INS is directly integrated into the ArduPilot firmware, acting as the vehicle’s primary navigation system. This approach allows operators to specify which data sources, including INS, GNSS, IMU, compass, barometer, or airspeed sensors, should be prioritized by the flight controller.
This setup provides redundancy and resilience. If the INS becomes unavailable, ArduPilot continues to rely on its internal sensors, ensuring that the vehicle maintains awareness of its position and heading. This redundant capability enhances mission safety and system stability, particularly for high-value defense assets.
To support these integration modes, Inertial Labs provides Enhanced Mission Planner software with expanded functionality. The software allows users, such as ground control operators, to configure ArduPilot with INS data quickly, improving mission planning and simplifying operational setup.
Continuous Innovation to Meet Operational Demands
Inertial Labs continually refines its IMU and INS technologies to meet emerging defense and security requirements. One recent development includes new INS software architecture designed for quadcopter-type UAVs that require navigation data to be transmitted via high frequency (HF). Set for imminent release, this enhancement introduces new flexibility for UAV users and expands the operational range of INS integration.
IMU and INS systems from Inertial Labs provide ready-to-use, precise navigation solutions suitable for vehicles operating on land, in the air, and at sea. Engineered for reliability, adaptability, and operational resilience, these systems support the accuracy and continuity required in modern defense environments.
