TAC-450-360 PHOTONIC INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNIT (IMU) (NON-ITAR)
Outstanding Performance for the Most Demanding Environments and Applications
The new TAC-450-360 inertial measurement unit (IMU) is one of the premier IMUs offered by EMCORE. Designed to deliver the highest level of performance, the non-ITAR TAC-450-360 IMU includes our exclusive photonic integrated chip (PIC) technology. The high-performance TAC-450-360 IMU is designed for applications in which high bandwidth, low latency, and low drift are critical. The TAC-450-360 IMU is integrated with inertial-grade accelerometers and three axes of magnetometers to provide the high accuracy levels that leading autonomous and manned platforms demand.
Highlights
- Designed for ease of integration with flexible interface settings and programmable message outputs
- Excellent performance in critical applications and the specs that matter most
- Improved SWaP plus robust performance and survivability
| Gyro Performance | |
|---|---|
| Input Rate | ±490°/sec (max) |
| Bias Instability (25°C) | ≤0.05°/hr, 1σ (typical) ≤0.1°/hr, 1σ (max) |
| Scale Factor Non-linearity (full rate, 25°C) | ≤50 ppm, 1σ (typical) |
| Angle Random Walk (ARW) (25°C) | ≤0.012°/√hr (≤0.7°/hr/√Hz ) |
| Accelerometer Performance | |
| Input Range | 10g – 30g (selectable) |
| Bias Instability (25°C) | 15 – 150 μg, 1σ |
| Velocity Random Walk (25°C) | 34 – 340μg/√Hz |
| Bandwidth (-3 dB) | ≥200 Hz |
A Photonic Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG)–based Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is engineered for demanding fully autonomous and manned applications that require high accuracy, robustness, and configuration flexibility. This tactical-grade IMU combines exclusive Photonic Integrated Chip (PIC) technology with inertial-grade Quartz Micro-Electro Mechanical System (QMEMS) accelerometers to deliver exceptional navigation and stabilization performance across air, land, and maritime platforms.
At the core of the system is PIC technology, which fundamentally improves traditional open-loop FOG architectures. By replacing numerous high-touch optical components with a single precision-manufactured silicon photonic chip, the IMU achieves higher efficiency, improved repeatability, and enhanced survivability in harsh environments. This planar optic integration results in three tightly integrated photonic gyroscopes that provide low Angle Random Walk (ARW), excellent bias stability, high scale factor accuracy, and wide bandwidth, all within a compact and rugged sensor assembly.
The photonic FOGs are paired with three low-noise, inertial-grade QMEMS accelerometers, selected for their superior thermal stability, linearity, and resistance to shock and vibration. Together, these sensors deliver reliable, low-latency inertial data critical for high-dynamic applications where precise motion sensing and rapid response are required. The combination of photonic gyroscopes and quartz accelerometers enables performance typically associated with high-end systems, while maintaining durability and long operational life.
This non-ITAR IMU is fully user configurable, offering selectable baud rates, flexible input power levels, and a wide range of inertial-grade accelerometer options. Programmable digital interfaces and user-selectable message outputs from both the photonic FOGs and accelerometers simplify system integration and allow designers to tailor data flow and communication latency to specific mission requirements.
Designed as a drop-in replacement for many existing IMUs, the compact package, flexible interfaces, and robust performance make this photonic FOG-based IMU ideal for autonomous navigation, precision pointing and stabilization, GNSS-aided navigation, mapping and surveying, guidance, positioning, and advanced motion-sensing applications.
- Extremely high bandwidth (≥1000 Hz)
- User-programmable data output rates from 1 to 1000 Hz
- User-configurable baud rate to minimize communication latency and receive data faster
- Compact and lightweight for excellent SWaP
- Three tactical-grade photonic FOGs and 3-axis magnetometer
- Your choice of 10g, 16g, 30g, and 100g inertial-grade MEMS accelerometers
- High scale factor accuracy
- Increased efficiency with modern processing electronics
Photonic Integrated Chip Technology
EMCORE’s photonic integrated chip (PIC) technology* reimagines FOG technology by replacing individual fiber components with an innovative integrated planar optic chip. This results in a FOG with PIC Inside™ that’s reliable and robust. With three of these integrated photonic gyros at its core, the TAC-450-360 IMU provides the safe, accurate performance autonomous platforms demand.
State-of-the-art Electronics
EMCORE’s Dual Core DSP electronics with ARM processor require less power for extended product life and offer higher speed with integrated multi-channel processing. Low-loss optical circuits use less light for greater efficiency.
Extremely demanding autonomous platforms
Pipeline inspection maintenance
Drilling and mining
GNSS-aiding inertial navigation
Stabilization systems for LiDAR, EO/FLIR
Augmented reality and mobile mapping
Precision pointing and positioning
Feature Options
Developer’s Kit for Rapid Integration
The FOG/IMU Developer’s Kit includes easy-to-use software that accelerates your IMU and FOG integration, development, and interface efforts.
Your Choice of Inertial-grade Accelerometers
The TAC-450-360 IMU is available with your choice of 10g, 16g, 30g, and 100g high-end inertial-grade MEMS accelerometers to further enhance your application’s performance.
