Partnership
Embention began investigating Inertial Labs as a supplier for inertial measurement units (IMU) or attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS) in 2013. Their developing project would integrate such sensors with targeted munition rounds designed to control and mitigate forest fires.
In subsequent years, the Inertial Labs Inertial Navigation System became an appealing GPS- Denied navigation solution for Embention, who started discussing integration with the Veronte Autopilot (produced by Embention) in 2016. Inertial Labs is delighted to announce the successful completion of integration efforts on November 26, 2019, when the INS-P, the professional version of the INS, was declared fully integrated and validated through testing, where Inertial Labs will supply autopilot payload solutions.
Features and Usability
The Veronte Autopilot features many top-of-the-line options that give users a competitive edge when selecting in the market. With extended efforts for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-the-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication, intuitive and high-performing software, and a navigation solution tailored towards many different applications, Embention’s robust solution stands out in the marketplace.
Extended Communication
For typical operations, the Veronte Autopilot contains an embedded line of sight module that encrypts communication on the 400 MHz, 900 MHz, or 2.4 GHz frequencies. However, the unit also features a 4G communication module for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication.
Robust Graphical User Interface
For those looking for a complete solution, the Veronte Autopilot can be purchased with Veronte Pipe Software, which allows the user to customize the system and create or modify mission profiles.
Special Features
With the additional navigational accuracy that the Inertial Labs INS-P provides, the Veronte Autopilot offers highly accurate navigation in a GNSS-denied environment with autopilot payload solutions. Additionally, Embention created a platform solution that can be further customized to fit the end user’s needs due to its compatibility with commonly used, mission-critical items that include tracker antennae, flight simulators, and camera payloads.
Integrated for Performance
The Inertial Labs INS-P utilizes a fluxgate magnetometer and a tactical grade IMU, all manufactured and temperature-calibrated in-house for performance. However, regarding high performance in a GNSS-denied environment, accurate inertial sensing components are only part of the solution.
A robust Kalman Filter that can adequately filter the best data from each sensor is key. That is where Inertial Labs excels. Properly fusing and managing magnetic field data, inertial data from MEMS-based gyroscopes and accelerometers, and GNSS data is not a task for the faint of heart. However, with nearly 20 years of experience in development and application-based implementation, Inertial Labs is an expert in data fusion.
The INS-P is connected to the Veronte Autopilot using the standard RS-232 serial interface and can be configured with the Veronte Autopilot in two ways.
1. Primary Navigational Solution
In its primary mode of operation, the Inertial Labs INS outputs a converged navigation solution run through the Inertial Labs Kalman Filter. This solution is the primary navigation data and is helpful for GPS-Denied environments. Parsed data from the Inertial Labs INS includes attitude, velocity, position, and time.
2. Combined Navigation Solution
Optionally, the Inertial Labs INS outputs pre-parsed sensor data from gyroscopes and accelerometers, as well as navigation data such as position, velocity, and time stamp. In turn, this data fuses with data from the Veronte Autopilot, which also accounts for information from its integrated sensors, which include:
- Static and Dynamic Pressure sensors for calculating Airspeed
- Magnetometer for Aiding in Course Correction
- Redundant GNSS receivers for heading calculation
Navigation in GPS-Denied
But what does this mean in terms of navigational accuracy? Test data from customer use cases indicates that during an hour-long GNSS outage, horizontal position drift is limited to an impressive 8.9 nautical miles (NM).
At first glance, the average person may conclude this is not a considerable feat. For those familiar with alternative solutions, a common ring laser gyro-based navigation system results in a position drift of 6 NM. This solution, however, costs triple the effective cost of the Veronte Autopilot. One may quickly conclude that paying more does not mean a consumer gets a better product.
Compatibility
Inertial Labs has worked for years to develop a robust navigation solution for many applications. A key advantage to the Inertial Labs INS solution is the ability for users to input aiding data into the system. Aiding data fuses with other sensing components and adaptively adjusts to create a robust Kalman Filtering process that allows the user to increase navigational performance. With Embention’s integration of the Inertial Labs INS-P, users can improve their existing system’s performance by aiding data sources on the platform.
For aerial platforms, commonly used aiding data may include airspeed sensors, doppler shift information from a locator, wind speed sensors, doppler velocity logs, and external attitude information. The INS-P can be configured to accept all these data types through its main communication port, which increases navigational performance and efficiently meets user needs.
Applications
Precision Mapping
Logging data and performing preconfigured flight maneuvers is critical whether the solution is used for Remote Sensing or Bathymetric surveys.
Tactical UAV
Those requiring a solution that allows offensive or defensive responses must be able to trust it to maintain the safety of people and property.
SWARM Flight Control
Disaster response and mitigation is an increasingly thriving market for autopilot suppliers. Whether putting out forest fires or identifying and responding to personnel in critical condition, the Veronte Autopilot can handle extended mission profiles while carrying large payloads in GNSS-denied environments.
Gimbaled Tracking
Optionally configurable with additional infrared, thermal, or HD RGB cameras, the Veronte Autopilot can monitor and recognize vehicles and people from several kilometers away.
