Inertsilnavigatsioonisüsteeme

Inertsilnavigatsioonisüsteeme, often abbreviated as INS, are autonomous navigation systems that do not rely on external references. They utilize inertial sensors, primarily accelerometers and gyroscopes, to continuously track an object's position, orientation, and velocity. Accelerometers measure linear acceleration along three axes, while gyroscopes measure angular velocity. By integrating these measurements over time, the system can calculate changes in the object's state relative to a known initial condition.

The core principle of INS is dead reckoning. Starting from a known position and velocity, the system integrates the sensed accelerations to determine the current velocity and then integrates velocity to determine the current position. Gyroscopes are used to maintain the system's orientation and to correct for any rotations that would affect the accelerometer readings.

INS are highly accurate for short durations but are susceptible to drift over longer periods. This drift arises from small errors in the sensor measurements and the integration process, which accumulate over time. To mitigate drift, INS are often combined with other navigation systems, such as GPS (Global Positioning System), in a hybrid approach. This allows the INS to provide continuous navigation between GPS fixes and to maintain accuracy during GPS signal outages.

Applications of INS are widespread and include aircraft and spacecraft navigation, missile guidance, marine vessel positioning, and even in consumer electronics like smartphones for motion tracking. Their self-contained nature makes them invaluable in environments where external signals are unavailable or unreliable.