IMU / AHRS

VN-100

The VN-100 is a miniature, high-performance Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS). Combining 3-axis accelerometers, gyros, and magnetometers, a barometric pressure sensor and a 32-bit processor, the VN-100 provides high-rate, calibrated IMU data and a real-time 3D attitude solution that is continuous over the complete 360 degrees of motion.

5°/hr

Gyro In-Run Bias

±16 g

Accelerometer Range

200 mW

Power

VN-100

Introduced in 2009, the VN-100 was the first Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) on the market to offer calibrated, high-performance, industrial grade MEMS sensors and quality sensor fusion algorithms in a single surface mount package. At the size of a postage stamp, the VN-100 SMD (surface mount device) is designed to be directly embedded into [your] electronics assembly. 

To facilitate development and testing, the VN-100 is available in a Rugged “plug and play” version of the VN-100 SMD. Enclosed in a clamshell precision anodized aluminum enclosure, the VN-100 Rugged offers additional protection of the internal inertial sensors and electronics.

Field Proven

Released in 2009, tens of thousands of units fielded

Ease of Availability

Made in the USA, ITAR-free, & ships within 1 business day

User Configurable Messages

ASCII & VectorNav Binary messages

Hard/Soft Iron

Onboard Hard/Soft Iron compensation

High Data Outputs

400 Hz Navigation data; 800 Hz IMU data

Vector Processing Engine (VPE) 2.0

Real-time magnetic & acceleration disturbance rejection, adaptive signal filtering and dynamic filter tuning.

Ultra Low SWaP

< 10.7 cm3; < 15 grams; < 220 mW

Blue UAS Framework

NDAA-compliant and cybersecurity tested

Specifications

Range (Heading/Yaw, Roll)

± 180°

Range (Pitch)

± 90°

Heading (Magnetic)*1

2.0° RMS

Pitch/Roll (Static)

0.5° RMS

Pitch/Roll (Dynamic)*2

1.0° RMS

Heave Accuracy

5% or 5 cm

Delayed Heave Accuracy

2% or 2 cm

Angular Resolution

0.001°
*1With proper magnetic declination, suitable magnetic environment and valid hard/soft iron calibration.
*2Typical; Velocity Aiding required for applications with sustained linear accelerations.

Range

±16 g

In-Run Bias Stability

< 0.04 mg

Noise Density

0.14 mg/√Hz

Bandwidth

230 Hz

Cross-Axis Sensitivity

±0.05°

Range

±2,000°/s

In-Run Bias Stability

< 10°/hr (5°/hr typ.)

Noise Density

0.0035°/s /√Hz

Bandwidth

265 Hz

Cross-Axis Sensitivity

< 0.05°

Range

±2.5 Gauss

In-Run Bias Stability

-

Noise Density

140 μGauss/√Hz

Sample Rate

200 Hz

Cross-Axis Sensitivity

±0.05 °

Range

10 to 1200 mbar

In-Run Bias Stability

-

Accuracy

±1.5 mbar

Noise Density

-

Sample Rate

250 Hz

Cross-Axis Sensitivity

-
Surface Mount Device

Size

24 x 22 x 3 mm

Weight

3.5 g

Interface Connector

30-pin LGA
Rugged

Size

36 x 33 x 9 mm

Weight

15 g

Interface Connector

10-pin Harwin
Surface Mount Device

Input Voltage

3.2 to 5.5 V

Current Draw

45mA @ 3.3 V

Power

185 mW

Digital Interface

Serial TTL, SPI

Baud Rate

Up to 921600

Input

Sync-In

Output

Sync-Out
Rugged

Input Voltage

4.5 to 5.5 V

Current Draw

40mA @ 5 V

Power

220 mW

Digital Interface

Serial TTL, RS-232

Baud Rate

Up to 921600

Input

Sync-In

Output

Sync-Out

Operating Temperature

-40° to +85° C

In-Storage Temperature

-40° to +85° C

MTBF (Rugged)

> 240,000 hours

MTBF (SMD)

> 280,000 hours

Packaging Options

VN-100 Rugged Front_Small

Rugged

Size: 36 x 33 x 9 mm Power: 40 mA @ 5 V Mass: 15 g
VN-100 SMD Front_Small

SMD

Size: 24 x 22 x 3 mm Power: 45 mA @ 3.3 V Mass: 3.5 g

Sensor Summary

  • Continuous attitude solution over the complete 360° range of operation
  • VectorNav Processing Engine (VPE) 2.0 for disturbance rejection, adaptive filtering, dynamic filter tuning
  • Inputs for external magnetometers or velocity measurements (Airspeed, GPS) 
  • Hard/Soft Iron Compensation 
  • On-board World Magnetic and Gravity Reference Models 
  • Solid-State MEMS inertial sensors
  • Available with standard (@ 25° C) or full temperature compensation (-40° C to 85° C)
  • All sensors are individually calibrated for bias, scale factor, misalignment, and temperature over full operating range (-40° C to 85° C)
  • Up to 800 Hz IMU Data
  • 400 Hz attitude data - Yaw/Pitch/Roll
  • Coning and sculling integrals (ΔV’s, Δθ’s)
  • Data output format: ASCII (VectorNav), NMEA-0183, Binary (VectorNav)
  • VectorNav Control Center freely available for easy setup, configuration and logging
  • ITAR-Free

Documentation and Resources

VN-100 User Manual
Technical
VN-100 Datasheet
Technical
VN-100 SMD EAGLE PCB Package
Technical
VN-100 Rugged STEP file
Technical
VN-100 Rugged Mechanical Drawing
Technical
Autopilot Support
Sales
VectorNav Product Brochure
Sales
VN-100 Product Brief
Sales
VN-100 Purchasing Guide
Sales
VN-100: Neya Systems Case Study
Sales

Development Kits

VectorNav development kits are built to move fast. Each kit includes the core hardware and interfaces needed to power up quickly, integrate with your system, and validate performance early. Designed for efficient lab and field evaluation, they reduce setup time and integration risk—helping teams confirm fit, functionality, and performance before committing to full deployment.
REQUEST A DEV KIT
I am looking for: *
Opt In

WORK AT VECTORNAV

We're explorers at heart, continually pushing the limits of possible to support out-of-this-world applications and customers. Do you share the desire to discover and define new limits? Learn more about working at VectorNav.

JOIN OUR TEAM