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.