A DCM Based Attitude Estimation Algorithm for Low-Cost MEMS IMUs. (30th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hyyti, Heikki; Visala, Arto
• Other Names: Dogandzic Aleksandar Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of navigation and observation. Volume 2015(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-11-30
• Subjects: Navigation -- Periodicals; Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Geographic information systems -- Periodicals; Global Positioning System -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Navigation; Télédétection; Systèmes d'information géographique; GPS; Sciences de la terre; Environnement -- Surveillance; Earth sciences; Environmental monitoring; Geographic information systems; Global Positioning System; Navigation; Remote sensing; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 629.045
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/503814
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-5990

Abstract

Abstract : An attitude estimation algorithm is developed using an adaptive extended Kalman filter for low-cost microelectromechanical-system (MEMS) triaxial accelerometers and gyroscopes, that is, inertial measurement units (IMUs). Although these MEMS sensors are relatively cheap, they give more inaccurate measurements than conventional high-quality gyroscopes and accelerometers. To be able to use these low-cost MEMS sensors with precision in all situations, a novel attitude estimation algorithm is proposed for fusing triaxial gyroscope and accelerometer measurements. An extended Kalman filter is implemented to estimate attitude in direction cosine matrix (DCM) formation and to calibrate gyroscope biases online. We use a variable measurement covariance for acceleration measurements to ensure robustness against temporary nongravitational accelerations, which usually induce errors when estimating attitude with ordinary algorithms. The proposed algorithm enables accurate gyroscope online calibration by using only a triaxial gyroscope and accelerometer. It outperforms comparable state-of-the-art algorithms in those cases when there are either biases in the gyroscope measurements or large temporary nongravitational accelerations present. A low-cost, temperature-based calibration method is also discussed for initially calibrating gyroscope and acceleration sensors. An open source implementation of the algorithm is also available.