An inertial measurement unit (IMU) for an autonomous wireless sensor network

This paper will present the work done in designing and fabricating an autonomous inertial measurement unit (IMU) panel for a novel 25mm wireless sensor network platform. This panel increases the sensory capabilities of each node allowing the orientation of each node to be completely realised. As part of the NMRC's technology development there is a drive towards wireless nodes for sensor networks of volume in the sub 5mm region (Barton et al., 2003; Barton et al., 2004). As a stepping stone towards this goal, the target objectives for the development of a 25mm cube module were to develop, a low volume prototyping and experimentation platform. This is for use as a platform for sensing and actuating through various parameters, for use in scalable, reconfigurable distributed autonomous sensing networks in a number of research projects currently underway in the NMRC. This paper outlines the development of the system with particular emphasis on the IMU layer. The total system is packaged in a modular 25mm cubed form factor which gives the capability for the module to be utilised in a wide variety of projects incorporating a multitude of actuators/sensors in miniaturised, mobile, autonomous systems.