Multi-Sensor Inertial Measurement Validation via Internal Cross-Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inertial sensor systems face challenges in validating measurements accurately and efficiently, often introducing errors and delays due to the need for external sensors and data correlation.
Innovation Solution
A packaged multi-sensor device with internal sensors, including gyroscopes and accelerometers, uses dynamic models to predict inertial measures from other sensor data, allowing for cross-validation without external references, reducing costs and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external sensors are used to validate inertial measurements, then measurement validation is achieved, but errors and delays are introduced due to data assembly and correlation from multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) into a single integrated sensor unit, allowing measurements to be taken and validated simultaneously from multiple sensors positioned at the same location. This eliminates the time delays associated with assembling and correlating data from separate external sensors, while still achieving measurement validation through cross-sensor comparison.
2Measurement precision
If external sensors are used to validate inertial measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors positioned around the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple inertial sensors into a single compact unit positioned at one location, rather than distributing multiple sensors around the vehicle. This reduces device complexity and the number of installation points required, while maintaining measurement accuracy through internal cross-validation between the integrated sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor unit performs multiple functions: it simultaneously takes measurements from multiple inertial sensors and validates those measurements internally. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate validation sensors positioned around the vehicle, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If redundant external sensors are used for validation, then measurement reliability is improved, but cost increases due to additional sensors and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inertial sensors and validation functionality into a single integrated unit, reducing the total number of components that need to be assembled. This integration simplifies manufacturing and reduces assembly costs while maintaining measurement reliability through internal cross-validation between the combined sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A microcontroller-based method and apparatus are described for measuring motions signals (301) with a plurality of inertial sensors (302-304) contained within a device package housing and validating (420) a first measured motion signal (e.g., ΩX) by generating at least a first estimated value ΩX for the first motion signal (e.g., 419) based on at least a second measured motion signal (e.g., AY) and for comparing the first estimated value for the first motion signal (419) to the first measured motion signal ΩX in order to validate the first measured motion signal ΩX.