"The sixth dimension sensor!"

Honeywell has introduced its Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), 6-D Motion Variant, 6DF Series, designed to provide motion, position, and navigational sensing from a durable single device over six degrees of freedom.

The six degrees of freedom is achieved by using MEMS (microelectromechanical system) technology to sense translational movement in three perpendicular axes (surge, heave, sway) and rotational movement about three perpendicular axes (roll, pitch, yaw). Because the movement and rotation along the three axes are independent of each other, such motion is said to have “six degrees of freedom”.

The 6DF Series IMU measures the motion of the equipment onto which it is attached and delivers the data to the equipment’s control module using an industry-standard CAN SAE J1939 communications protocol. This capability allows the equipment operator to focus on other functions, enabling more precise control than can be achieved by using only the human eye, thus increasing safety, stability, and productivity.

“Honeywell’s 6DF Series’ aluminum packaging, sealing, corrosion-resistance, and chemical compatibility provide industry-leading durability from harsh environments,” said Ted Tomita, senior global product marketing manager for Honeywell Sensing and Control. “Additionally, Honeywell has integrated the IMU with the algorithms, calibration, and environmental testing required for effective operation, easing integration and reducing total cost for the end customer.”

The new Series provides three key benefits:

1) Highly accurate 6-D rotation and acceleration outputs: Provides industry-leading accuracy due to durable packaging, industry-leading stability, temperature compensation, software filtering and design, and automotive-grade industry-leading Six Sigma testing requirements.

2) Industry-leading durability: Aluminum housing protects the device from damage due to harsh environments; corrosion-resistance minimizes susceptibility to deterioration often experienced in salt water environments; compatibility with diesel fuel, hydraulic oil, gas/ethylene glycol, brake fluids, urea, liquid lime, NPK fertilizer, ammonia hydroxide, and alkaline degreasers enhances durability; IP67 and 69k ratings provide resistance to weather; wide operating temperature range withstands most thermal extremes, preventing package breakage; EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) ratings protect the device from environmental radio frequencies.

3) Ease of integration: SAEJ19 - 39 CAN 29 bit identifier communication output—the standard for the transportation industry—allows more data to be transmitted than an RS-485 output; IP67 and IP69k ratings minimize the customer having to design weather resistant packaging around the IMU, allowing for a wide range of use in the application; wide voltage range (7 V to 32 V) minimizes the need for a voltage converter; Deutsch connector, common for the transportation industry, simplifies the customer’s supply chain and reduces design complexity; chemical compatibility minimizes the OEM having to expose the device to the substances.

Potential applications:

• Transportation
* Applications: tractors, harvesters, loaders, graders, bulldozers
* Motion type: stability, rollover prevention/detection, grading/harvesting

• Industrial
* Applications: mining conveyors, robotics, shaker tables
* Motion type: stability, rollover prevention/detection

• Non-ITAR aerospace/military
* Applications: ground vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles
* Motion type: stability, rollover prevention/detection