Typical Errors, Accuracy Classes and Currently Expected Accuracy of Inertial Measurement Units

Abstract

Inertial measurement units can nowadays be found in a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to precision surveying systems requiring high accuracy. IMUs are also widely used in aviation, especially for UAVs. The gyroscopes and accelerometers in IMUs have specific operating modes that would result in specific errors typical of such instruments. This paper reviews the typical errors of IMUs and the accuracy that can be achieved with these instruments today in each application area.