Automation of strapdown IMU calibration using LabVIEW

Inertial navigation sensors comprise of systematic and random error components. Exact extraction of systematic error components is conducted as part of calibration, which depends upon sensor error model and calibration scheme. The calibration of inertial sensors involves multiple rate tests, different position tests to estimate the systematic errors of the sensors. LabVIEW is a powerful tool to automate the entire calibration procedure devoid of human intervention and error. This paper details an entire scheme of calibration using LabVIEW to control the calibration test instruments and data acquisition from inertial sensors and eventual data processing to estimate the calibration parameters. The real time software is developed based on server-client model using queued message architecture with shared variable engine. This automation improved the accuracy, time and ensures reliability and efficiency.