MISIS: NV-micro navigation system

2023: Creation of the "NV-micro" system

MISIS University, together with specialists from the Russian company Integral LLC, has developed an NV-micro ultra-compact navigation system for small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), both for agricultural purposes and monitoring ground infrastructure: pipelines, electricity transmission lines, etc. The results of tests on a light-engine aircraft demonstrated its accuracy even when performing aerobatics, as well as high dynamic characteristics. The university announced this on October 13, 2023.

Often, readings of MEMS sensors (MicroElectroMechanical Systems, i.e. combining microelectronic and micromechanical components) on ultra-compact UAVs can be distorted by strong heating or external vibration from rapidly rotating engines. The main ways to combat these errors are methods of program compensation of errors from temperature impact and vibration shock absorbers. Unlike most navigation systems, NV-micro includes a temperature stabilization system for two MEMS sensors, which increases the accuracy and reliability of their readings over the entire temperature range of its use: from -50 ° C to + 70 ° C. It also eliminates the need for complex and expensive calibration procedures.

As of October 2023, there are two approaches to the UAV avionics architecture: a separate control and navigation system or a single module. A single structure significantly reduces the size and mass of the entire control complex, but requires ultra-compact dimensions from the navigation system.

The NV-micro navigation system is an ultra-compact navigation device based on MEMS sensors for determining the roll, pitch and track angles of an object. If there is a signal from an external receiver of satellite navigation systems, NV-micro additionally calculates the linear speed of the object, coordinates and its height. Moreover, even after losing the satellite signal, the device supports the calculation of the coordinates of the object for some time, "said system developer Dmitry Pazychev, senior lecturer at the Department of Engineering Cybernetics, NITU MISIS, chief designer of Integral LLC.

The algorithm for calculating parameters used in NV-micro, although it is based on the classical navigation algorithm, uses a multi-stage system for filtering and eliminating internal errors when receiving a signal from a satellite. This ensures optimal accuracy and minimal delays in the calculation of parameters. In addition, HV-micro allows you to adjust the output parameters from an external magnetometer, air signal system or external distance sensor, which allows you to increase the accuracy of calculating navigation parameters even in the absence of a signal from the satellite. These additional devices can form a whole navigation complex that provides the calculation of the position and coordinates of the UAV with high accuracy in various conditions of its operation.

The economy of the system, combined with its accuracy and dynamic performance, make it a practical choice for use in unmanned aerial vehicles, especially in scenarios where size and weight limitations are important.