Attitude Determination Using Magnetometer and Dual Accelerometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attitude-determination techniques for multi-dimensional pointing devices fail when the device is undergoing dynamic acceleration, leading to errors in attitude measurement due to the combination of gravity and movement-induced accelerations, and existing solutions like gyroscopes are costly and prone to drift.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional pointing device using magnetic field measurements from one or more magnetometers and acceleration measurements from two or more accelerometers, with a correction factor calculated based on the difference between these measurements to compensate for dynamic acceleration errors, allowing accurate attitude determination during device movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional attitude-determination techniques (e.g., TRIAD technique) are used, then the device cost is low, but the attitude measurement accuracy deteriorates during dynamic acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the acceleration measurement function by using multiple accelerometers positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between gravitational acceleration and dynamic acceleration components, thereby improving attitude measurement accuracy during movement while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field measurements from a magnetometer as an intermediary reference. By combining magnetic field data with segmented acceleration measurements, the system creates a corrected attitude determination that compensates for dynamic acceleration errors without requiring complex gyroscopic systems.
2Measurement precision
If gyroscopes are used to determine attitude during movement, then the attitude measurement accuracy is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges magnetic field measurements with segmented acceleration measurements to create a hybrid attitude determination system. This combination achieves gyroscopic-level accuracy during dynamic movement without incorporating actual gyroscopes, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding the high cost and complexity associated with gyroscope-based systems.
3Measurement precision
If gyroscopes are used to determine attitude during movement, then the attitude measurement accuracy is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gyroscope system with a field-based measurement system combining magnetometers and accelerometers. This substitution eliminates the drift problem inherent in mechanical gyroscopes while maintaining the ability to accurately determine attitude during dynamic acceleration, thereby improving both measurement precision and long-term reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides accurate attitude measurement correction, enabling reliable interaction with advanced user interfaces while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reducing user input errors, thus enhancing digital convergence applications.
Implementation Method 1
A first attitude measurement is calculated based on a magnetic field measurement received from a magnetometer of the device
Implementation Method 2
a first acceleration measurement received from a first accelerometer of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for determining an attitude of a device undergoing dynamic acceleration is presented. A first attitude measurement is calculated based on a magnetic field measurement received from a magnetometer of the device and a first acceleration measurement received from a first accelerometer of the device. A second attitude measurement is calculated based on the magnetic field measurement received from the magnetometer of the device and a second acceleration measurement received from a second accelerometer of the device. A correction factor is calculated based at least in part on a difference of the first attitude measurement and the second attitude measurement. The correction factor is then applied to the first attitude measurement to produce a corrected attitude measurement for the device.