Several parameters are important when choosing a gyroscope for a typical application.
One of the parameters the gyroscope is most judged on is the in-run bias stability. However, the accuracy and usability of a gyroscope is also influenced by other parameters. Depending on the application, some parameters become more important than others. The in-run bias stability is often used to classify gyroscopes from consumer-grade up to a navigation grade system.
The Allan Variance method generates curves from which the statistical properties of the random processes responsible for data noise of the MEMS inertial sensor can be deduced/analyzed. Typical technical datasheet values of white noise and bias stability (in-run) are derived from the Allan Variance characterization curves.
For gyroscopes, the three parameters a system integrator pays attention to are the Angular Random Walk, Bias Instability and Rate Random walk. A more detailed explanation is given below:
A gyroscope requires a high bandwidth in order to capture all movements and vibrations. A too low bandwidth will result in aliasing and drift in orientation. In addition, coning motions, if not properly captured, will cause apparent drift in the output. The bandwidth should be chosen high enough, taking into consideration the proper capturing of coning motion, removing high-frequency noise components and aliasing.
On top of the sensitivity to angular rate, the proof mass of the gyroscope is also sensitive to gravitational acceleration. A gyroscope rotating at the same rate along the same axis has a different output depending on the orientation with respect to gravity if not compensated for, which is called g-sensitivity. MEMS manufacturers are able to reduce g-sensitivity by taking the effects into account in the designs.
Vibration rejection is the mechanical ability of the sensing structures inherent in the design to reject vibrations. Vibrations put mechanical stress on the gyroscope structure, compromising the rate of turn estimation. In this video, it is explained what happens when vibration rejection (or vibration rectification) is not correctly designed.
Choosing the right gyroscopes depends on several parameters, where the importance of each is application-specific.
Non-linearity is an important parameter, especially when gyroscope integration is the only way to retrieve orientation (e.g. in magnetically disturbed environments or during long-lasting accelerations).
Bias repeatability is also called the (turn-on to turn-on) bias stability. Gyroscopes are calibrated by the manufacturer of IMUs and AHRSs, but bias repeatability cannot be calibrated for.
Noise density is a parameter that can be interesting when signals with a low amplitude need to be distinguished. Also, for short term dead-reckoning, noise density is the dominating factor.
The full range of gyroscopes determines which motion can be measured. Typical gyroscope full ranges are 450, 1000 and 2500 deg/s. A full range of 450 deg/s is sufficient for most industrial applications, such as maritime applications, satellite stabilization, camera stabilization and aerospace applications. Hand held applications may go up to 1000 deg/s, whereas most sports applications exceed this value (a golf swing or a baseball pitch is performed with an angular velocity up to and above 2000 deg/s). Xsens’ products have different full ranges: the MTi 10-series and MTi 100-series are available in 450 and 1000 deg/s, where the MTi 1-series is available with 2000 deg/s gyroscopes.
A higher angular velocity than required reduces the resolution and is therefore not recommended. However, when data is missed because the angular velocity cannot be measured, sensor fusion algorithms may have troubles coping with that: when the angular velocity is above 500 deg/s for 0.05 sec, the gyroscope integration when the sensors cannot measure higher than 500 deg/s will be above 25 deg after 0.05 sec. Most IMU and AHRS manufacturers supply the user with clipping flags so that this can be handled appropriately during operation.
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