Inclination sensor IMS360

Inclination sensor for dynamic applications

Vibrations, shocks, dynamic movements: The field of application of commercial vehicles is characterized by a variety of environmental influences and disturbance variables. Nevertheless, mobile machines must meet the highest standards of precision and reliability - and so must the sensors that are installed in them. Sensor specialist SIKO presents the IMS360 dynamic inclination sensor for precise inclination measurement in highly dynamic systems.

The IMS360 dynamic inclination sensor precisely measures the inclination in dynamic applications. Compared to static inclination sensors, the IMS360 also records accelerations and rotation rates in all three spatial axes in addition to the inclination values. Users therefore have the full functionality of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) at their disposal. The integrated Kalman filter allows disturbance variables such as lateral acceleration, vibrations and shocks to be filtered out of the actual measurement signal, significantly improving the stability of the measured values. In addition to the version with Kalman filter, the inclination sensor is also available with the classic "Butterworth" and "critically damped" low-pass filters. The IMS360 can be used either as a 1-axis version with a measuring range of 0...360° or as a 2-axis version with a measuring range of ±90° each. A plus point: both the number of axes and the measuring range can be configured at a later date.

Innovative sensor fusion algorithm
The integrated measuring systems alone are not sufficient to filter out any disturbance variables from the inclination signal. This requires an intelligent and efficient algorithm that generates a stable inclination signal by combining the collected measurement data. The IMS360 uses the integrated Kalman filter and the innovative sensor fusion algorithm to filter out the disturbance variables from the actual inclination signal based on the acceleration and rotation rate values. The Kalman filter used is characterized by its high dynamics and yet very good attenuation. This provides users with precise and reliable inclination values even in highly dynamic systems.

Developed for use in mobile machines
Equipped with SIKO PURE.MOBILE technology, the IMS360 inclination sensor is ideally suited for harsh conditions in mobile machines. In a wide temperature range from -40 to +85°C, the IMS360 always delivers accurate position values. The robust housing made of anodized aluminium also offers many advantages: In addition to protection class IP67, the IMS360 also meets protection class IP6K9K, which means that cleaning under high pressure is no problem for the sensor. Furthermore, the housing is resistant to salt spray up to a degree of severity of 4. As the inclination sensor was also developed in accordance with the requirements for commercial vehicles, it has a high EMC resistance. In addition, the IMS360 has been tested in accordance with UN ECE R10 and is also suitable for use on public roads thanks to the associated E1 approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority.

Easy integration into the overall system
To enable easy integration into the overall system, the IMS360 is available with either a CANopen or SAE J1939 interface. In addition to sending the measurement data, parameters such as measuring range or resolution can be freely configured via these interfaces and adapted precisely to the requirements of the respective application. This offers maximum flexibility during the development phase and reduces integration effort and costs.

The robust IMS360 inclination sensor offers new application possibilities in dynamic applications thanks to its integrated acceleration sensor and gyroscope. Thanks to the innovative sensor fusion algorithm, external accelerations, such as vibrations and shocks, are compensated for and thus provide reliable inclination values. Full IMU functionality is also available. The high protection class, robust housing and E1 approval (UN ECE R10) make it ideal for use in commercial vehicles.

• 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
• Compensation of external acceleration thanks to innovative sensor fusion
• Dynamically compensated inclination measurement (360° or ±90°)
• CANopen (DS406) or SAE J1939 interface
• Protection class IP6K9K, IP67
• E1 approval by the Federal Motor Transport Authority
• with PURE.MOBILE technology