MEMS Vibrating Beam Gravimeter for Inertial Navigation Applications

Recent advancements in gravity and gravity gradiometer technologies have highlighted their potential to enhance inertial navigation systems, primarily through gravity map matching and sensor compensation. However, practical application has been limited by the size, cost, and ruggedness of existing systems. Cold atom quantum gravimeters have shown promise but remain impractical for mobile use. MEMS vibrating beam gravity sensors offer a compact, low-cost, and low-power alternative, with demonstrated sensitivity and precision. These sensors, encapsulated in vacuum packages and stabilised for temperature fluctuations, are designed to operate in dynamic environments. Ongoing development aims to refine their performance in mobile applications, addressing challenges such as external accelerations and tilt. With continued advancements, MEMS gravimeters could significantly improve navigation accuracy, enabling real-world applications in both aerial terrestrial and underwater environments.