Inertial Measurement Units

UmiX is a true game-changer as it brings the high performance and reliability associated with iXblue’s renowned FOG technology to a miniaturized, ITAR-free device.

After pioneering and enhancing the FOG technology for over 40 years, iXblue once again leaves a durable footprint on its field with UmiX Series. While the nature of Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes allows for virtually unlimited performance by altering the length and diameter of the coil, the next barrier was to miniaturize the gyroscopes.

With UmiX Series, this barrier has been breached. This IMU is half the size, half the power consumption, and twice the performance of equivalent performance FOG systems. UmiX Series comes equipped with brand new FOG40 gyros, designed specifically for it. Combining north seeking performance level with a high compacity form factor, this new gyroscope pushes even further the technology’s possibilities.

UmiX series relies on in-house developed iXal-S accelerometers. iXal-S is based on Vibrating Beam Accelerometer (VBA) technology which uses the change in the resonance frequency of a vibrating beam under the inertial loading of a proof mass when subjected to acceleration.

The iXal-S accelerometer includes 2 identical VIA transducers mounted in a push-pull configuration in order to reduce all common parasitic sensitivities e.g. temperature, pressure, ageing. Two oscillator circuits continually maintain the 2 beams at their resonance frequencies and the opposite variations of the two frequencies directly provide the applied acceleration.

This architecture provides high dynamic input range and navigation grade performances for bias and scale factor drift.

Thanks to its compact size and high performance, UmiX Series can easily be integrated upon a large array of platforms, and is fit for a wide range of applications.

iXblue designs and produces all critical components in-house, including the fiber-optic coils. This means that military grade UmiX Series isn’t subject to regulations other than French export control.

UmiX Series is particularly suitable for high end stabilization and pointing within airborne and land sensor payloads.

With an in-run bias of 0.03°/h and a bias residual of 0.2°/h, UmiX Series fit in both tactical and short-term navigation classes of IMUs. In addition, its vibrating quartz accelerometers have a dynamic range of ~100 g max, with navigation grade bias and scale factor, mostly unrivaled on such class of IMUs.

This extends furthermore the potential uses for UmiX.

Newly released range, UmiX Series relies on a miniaturized and boosted version of fiber-optic gyroscopes. This solid-state technology has proven its reliability over the years. It is trusted by over 60+ navies and armies worldwide, in the form of our ranges of naval Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and land Inertial Navigation Systems.

UmiX’ story starts with two distinct versions, U5 and U9, covering respectively civilian and military applications. Both versions are high-performing IMUs, making it an easy to understand, two products range fit for all applications.