Understanding MEMS Sensors in ADMA Systems
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors are an important technology for modern inertial navigation systems. In GeneSys’ ADMA systems, these miniature sensors play a critical role in capturing motion data with high precision. It provides real-time position, velocity, and orientation tracking across a wide range of applications – from autonomous vehicles to construction machinery and robotics.
What Are MEMS Sensors?
MEMS sensors are tiny devices that convert mechanical, magnetic or chemical changes into electrical information. This enables functions like acceleration or rate measurements, pressure measurement and even air quality monitoring. They provide small size, high accuracy, low power consumption and robust reliability. It makes them essential in a wide range of applications including smartphones, automotive safety systems, wearables and medical devices. In some ADMA system types we use MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes in combination with a GNSS-Receiver.
How do MEMS Sensors work?
At the core of a MEMS accelerometer is a micromechanical comb structure suspended between capacitive plates. When the sensor experiences acceleration, the comb structure shifts, altering the capacitance between the plates. This change is measured and translated into an electrical signal that represents the magnitude and direction of the acceleration.
MEMS gyroscopes, on the other hand, rely on vibrating structures – often resembling tuning forks – that respond to angular motion. As the device rotates, Coriolis forces cause the vibrating elements to shift. This again results in measurable changes in capacitance or frequency.
Integration in ADMA Systems
GeneSys ADMA systems, such as the ADMA-Micro, the ADMA-Speed and the ADMA-Slim, utilize MEMS sensors to deliver centimeter-level positional accuracy and real-time motion tracking. These systems combine MEMS data with GNSS signals and process them through an advanced Kalman filter to achieve robust sensor fusion.
Thanks to this architecture, GNSS-aided inertial measurement systems are unrivaled in many navigation applications, particularly within the automotive sector, where precision, responsiveness, and reliability are critical.
