Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA15-026

Description

To address the Missile Defense Agency need for a new inertial measurement unit (IMU) based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) to guide precision missile defense weapons, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Weapon-Hard Array of Redundant MEMS IMU (WARM-IMU). The novel assembly is based on the unique redundant combination of shock-hard MEMS devices and processor/controller with ruggedized integration techniques. Using these MEMS devices as the baseline for sensing mechanism, the redundant array greatly improves the accuracy of the system through both data fusion to minimize noise and spurious measurements with the aid of Kalman filters, which enable improved estimation of sensor state and help to reject noise, achieving a tactical grade drift of <0.01 degree/h. The guidance processor subsystem provides critical sensor and external interface management of raw data and algorithm processing for navigation solutions. In Phase I, POC plans to develop the concept for the WARM-IMU, including plans for integration as footprint-compatible MEMS IMU encompassing modeling and technology demonstration. This will lead to an initial MEMS IMU prototype in Phase II, including fabrication plans, risk mitigation, and validation of performance goals such as accuracy and shock survivability. Phase II will conclude with a fully integrated first-run prototype.