Introduction

The VN-200 is a miniature, high performance GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) that combines MEMS inertial sensors, a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, and advanced Kalman filtering algorithms to provide optimal estimates of position, velocity, and attitude.

Small Form Factor
SMD and Rugged Packages

The VN-200 is available in two different packaging options: the surface mount device (SMD) and the “Rugged” module.

VN-200 SMD

Introduced in 2012, the VN-200 was the first GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) in a single surface mount package. At the size of a postage stamp, the VN-200 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-200 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: 105 mA @ 3.3 V
Mass: 4 g

VN-200 Rugged

The VN-200 Rugged is the “plug and play” version of the VN-200 SMD. Enclosed in a clamshell precision anodized aluminum enclosure, the VN-200 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 a MMCX connector for an external active GPS antenna.

Size: 36 x 33 x 9 mm
Power: 80 mA @ 5 V
Mass: 16 g

GPS/INS Kalman Filter

The VN-200 incorporates the latest advancements in Aerospace grade Kalman filter inertial navigation algorithms specifically tailored to solve problems typically faced by industrial users.

The VN-200 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-200 incorporates a wide assortment of inertial sensors including a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis magnetometer, and a barometric pressure sensor. The VN-200 has been carefully designed to provide the highest performance achievable, by eliminating common error sources such as sensitivity to supply voltage variations and temperature dependent hysteresis. To provide the highest level of accuracy, each VN-200 is individually tested and characterized over the full operating temperature range to determine the bias, sensitivity and cross-axis alignment for each individual sensor. Calibration coefficients are stored on the sensor and are fully temperature compensated in real-time onboard to ensure high accuracy measurements over the full operating temperature range.

Standard and Thermal Calibrations

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.

This calibration process is performed over two different temperature options: at 25°C (Standard Calibration) or over the full thermal operating range of the VN-200 (-40°C to +85°C; Thermal Calibration). This calibration option is offered for the user to select upon purchase of any VN-200 product.

Standard Calibration

Single temperature calibration at 25°C (valid ±10°C)

Thermal Calibration

Calibration over full -40°C to +85°C temperature range

High Sensitivity GPS Receiver

The VN-200 incorporates an onboard high sensitivity 50-channel u-blox GPS receiver. A U.FL (VN-200 SMD) or MMCX (VN-200 Rugged) connector is provided for connection to an external active GPS antenna.

Receiver Type: 50-channel u-blox GPS L1 C/A
Update Rate: 5 Hz
Sensitivity: -159 dBm Tracking
Cold Start: 36 s