VN-300 - VectorNav Technologies

Introduction

The VN-300 is a miniature, high-performance Dual Antenna GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System that combines MEMS inertial sensors, two high-sensitivity GPS receivers, and advanced Kalman filtering algorithms to provide optimal estimates of position, velocity, and orientation. By utilizing two separate GPS receivers and antennas, the VN-300 enables accurate heading measurements without reliance on vehicle dynamics or magnetic sensors, providing unmatched performance under both static and dynamic conditions.

Small Form Factor
SMD and Rugged Packages

The VN-300 is available in two different packaging options: the surface mount device (SMD) and the “Rugged” module.

VN-300 SMD

The VN-300 is the first and only Dual GPS Antenna Inertial Navigation System in a single surface mount package. At the size of a postage stamp, the VN-300 SMD requires only a single 3.2-5.5V power supply, and can be directly embedded into a user’s electronics. Interface with the VN-300 SMD is made easy by using either the serial 3V TTL (UART) or the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).

Size: 24 x 22 x 3 mm
Power: 185 mA @ 3.3 V
Mass: 5 g

VN-300 Rugged

The VN-300 Rugged is the “plug and play” version of the VN-300 SMD. Enclosed in a clamshell precision anodized aluminum enclosure, the VN-300 Rugged offers additional protection of the internal MEMs sensors, GPS receiver and electronics. The use of precision CNC milled aluminum parts ensures that the axis alignment provided by our factory calibration process is maintained during installation in its final configuration. Interfacing with the module is made through a locking 10-pin connector, as well as two MMCX connectors for external active GPS antennas.

Size: 45 x 44 x 11 mm
Power: 250 mA @ 5 V
Mass: 30 g

» Review VN-300 SMD and Rugged documentation

Dual GPS Compassing Algorithm

The VN-300 provides the ability to accurately estimate true heading (azimuth with respect to True North) in both static as well as dynamic conditions without any reliance on magnetic sensors. This is accomplished by utilizing GPS interferometry techniques, which measure the heading of the vehicle or platform without any assumptions regarding the vehicle dynamics (RTK moving baseline technique). This is a crucial feature for applications that require an accurate heading at startup, or in situations where insufficient motion is present to perform dynamic alignment. The capability to derive heading directly from two separate GPS receivers is a feature typically offered only on much larger and more expensive INS systems.

Inertial Sensor Calibration

MEMS inertial sensors are subject to several common sources of error: bias, scale factor, misalignments, temperature dependencies, and gyro g-sensitivity. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, all VectorNav sensors undergo a rigorous calibration process to minimize these error sources. Compensation parameters calculated during these calibrations are stored on each individual sensor and digitally applied to the real-time measurements.

The VN-300 undergoes this calibration process over the full thermal operating range of the sensor (-40°C to +85°C). Unlike the VN-100 and VN-200, the VN-300 is not available in a standard room temperature calibration.

» Learn more about inertial sensor calibration

GPS / INS Kalman Filter

The VN-300 incorporates the latest advancements in Aerospace grade Kalman filter inertial navigation algorithms specifically tailored to solve problems typically faced by industrial users.

The VN-300 utilizes an onboard extended Kalman filter to optimally combine high bandwidth inertial measurements with high accuracy low bandwidth GPS measurements to provide high accuracy low latency position, velocity, and attitude measurements required for industrial control systems.

10-Axis MEMS IMU

Utilizing the latest advancements in MEMS technology, the VN-300 incorporates an assortment of inertial sensors, including a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis magnetometer, and a barometric pressure sensor. The VN-300 has been designed to achieve the highest performance possible by filtering out common error sources, such as sensitivity to supply voltage variations and temperature dependent hysteresis.

High Sensitivity GPS Receivers

The VN-300 incorporates two onboard high sensitivity 72-channel u-blox GPS receivers. Two MMCX connectors are provided for connection to external active antennas. Two U.FL (VN-300 SMD) or MMCX (VN-300 Rugged) connectors are provided for connection to external active GPS antennas.

Receiver Type: 72-channel u-blox GPS L1 GNSS
Update Rate: 5 Hz
Sensitivity: -159 dBm Tracking
Cold Start: 26s