Application of the Principle of Rational Approximations for Measuring Dynamic Frequency Values Generated by an IMU

Abstract

In most aerial vehicles, accurate information about critical parameters like position, velocity, and altitude is critical. In these systems, such information is acquired through an inertial measurement unit. Parameters like acceleration, velocity, and position are obtained after processing data from sensors; some of them are the accelerometers. In this case, the signal generated by the accelerometer has a frequency that depends from the acceleration experienced by the sensor. Since the time available for frequency estimation is critical in an aerial device, the frequency measurement algorithm is critical. This chapter proposes the principle of rational approximations for measuring the frequency from accelerometer-generated signals. In addition, the effect of different measurement parameters is shown, discussed, and evaluated.