How to achieve reliable drilling trajectory control without GPS or in magnetic interference environment?

The north-seeking IMU is an IMU that does not rely on external references such as GPS or magnetometers. It uses a built-in gyroscope to detect the earth's rotation angle component and can determine the true north direction after calculation. Unlike the magnetic north measured by a magnetometer, the true north is fixed and does not change. It is the direction of the earth's rotation axis. The magnetic north is determined by the earth's magnetic field and its position is not fixed.

ER-MIMU-041 is a MEMS IMU with north-seeking accuracy, representing a breakthrough combination of miniaturization and high-precision north-seeking, which is particularly useful in scenarios where GPS or magnetometers are not available, such as underground environments or areas with magnetic interference. It is particularly suitable for orientation and attitude control of underground drilling equipment and mining systems.

High-precision inertial measurement performance

As the core foundation of north-seeking and orientation, ER-MIMU-041 is a navigation-grade IMU, and its gyroscope and accelerometer performance indicators have reached the industry's advanced level:

Gyroscope: bias instability <0.01°/hr, angular random walk as low as 0.0025°/√h. It is the best replacement for medium and low navigation-grade FOG and DTG gyroscopes, and the accumulated angle error is extremely small during long-term work.

Accelerometer: bias stability is 50ug, and bias repeatability is 100ug. High-precision acceleration measurement can assist the gyroscope in attitude calibration.

In a dynamic environment, it can quickly perceive the original data of the carrier's motion state (angular velocity, acceleration), and after solution, it can obtain accurate azimuth and attitude (pitch, roll)、 yaw information, improving the real-time performance of orientation and attitude control.

Mini size and OEM customization

The latest MEMS gyro technology is used to achieve a mini size, with a housing of only 40×40×42mm (80g). Modular architecture supports OEM customization. After removing the base plate housing, the inner table can be reduced to 27×26×34mm (40g) and directly integrated into the user system.

This compact design significantly reduces the restrictions on installation space and can be easily integrated into drill guide modules, mining equipment or underground drilling equipment. The structure of the built-in inner table makes it highly resistant to shock and vibration, making it very suitable for underground projects.

Key applications in underground drilling and mining

Drilling system north-seeking and control: Real-time measurement of the acceleration and angular velocity of the drilling equipment, and the real-time azimuth and attitude angles (pitch/yaw/roll) are obtained by solution, and the underground coordinate system is established in combination with the north-seeking function. Achieve precise control of three-dimensional trajectories in complex geological structures.

Tunnel boring machine orientation: The data can be solved to monitor the yaw of the tunnel axis in real time to ensure that the mining direction is in line with the geological plan

Pipeline prevention: The IMU is installed on equipment that can travel in the pipeline, and can track subtle changes in the direction of the pipeline over time to identify high-risk HDD segments. Combined with LiDAR change detection LCD and InSAR, a comprehensive understanding of the pipeline status and surrounding terrain can be obtained.

The ER-MIMU-041 redefines the application standards of MEMS IMU in north-seeking and engineering operations with its ultra-small size, high precision and extreme environmental adaptability. It can not only meet the reliability requirements of harsh environments such as underground drilling and mining, but also adapt to diversified equipment through flexible integration.