Murata has developed a new micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) six degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) inertial sensor, the SCHA63T, for autonomous off-highway vehicles, dynamic inclination sensing and GNSS positioning support. The sensor enables solutions for advanced driver / operator assistance systems, autonomous vehicles and GNSS-based measurement instruments. The product delivers high performance in key parameters like bias stability and noise. Murata calibrates orthogonality of all measurement axes, allowing customers and system integrators to skip this costly and performance-critical process step.
Murata’s new sensor is a single package component that can enable centimeter-level accuracy in machine dynamics and position sensing, and can assist ensuring safe, robust and verified designs. Its operation is resistant to high mechanical shock and vibration. The SHCA63T includes several advanced self-diagnostic features and can achieve full compliance with ASIL-D automotive safety integrity level. Variants within the same product family are qualified according to automotive AEC-Q100 standard.
The SCHA63T sensor features failsafe functions and error bits for diagnostics. These include internal reference signal monitoring, checksum techniques for verifying communication, and signal saturation/over range detection. The diagnostic feature of Murata’s 3-axis accelerometer is the continuously operating self-test function, which monitors the sensor during measurement. This patented self-test function verifies the proper operation of the entire signal chain from MEMS sensor element movement to signal conditioning circuitry for every measurement cycle. Even if the system using SCHA63T is not required to follow international Functional Safety standards, the provided design support documentation enables for a robust and fast design process.
The SCHA63T is suitable for various applications requiring 6DOF measurement capability with high precision and reliability. The factory dynamic calibration removes the need for cost intensive and complex calibrations at module level in applications requiring accurate inertial data. Use cases span precision agriculture, construction machines and instruments, material-handling systems, robotics, professional drones, and all moving machine type of environments. Integration to GNSS will provide robust and accurate positioning with reliable, frequently updated inertial data. Murata’s partners are capable of providing algorithms, which optimize the performance for dynamic inclination sensing. Having robust inclination sensing for example in construction & Off-Highway road vehicles enables large variety of applications that support autonomous operation and improve productivity.
Typical applications include:
- Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)
- Navigation and positioning
- GPS assistance & terrain/pose compensation
- Surveying equipment and instruments
- Machine control and guidance
- Precision guidance for agricultural machines
- Construction machine autonomy and driver assistance
- Dynamic inclination
- Motion analysis and control
- Platform and camera stabilization
- Robotic control and UAVs
