Resolution in inertial navigation systems (INS) refers to the smallest detectable change in a measured parameter, such as acceleration, angular velocity, or position. It defines the sensitivity and precision of the system’s sensors, particularly the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), which consists of accelerometers and gyroscopes. Higher resolution allows for more precise measurements, which leads to improved navigation accuracy.
Types of Resolution in INS
Accelerometer Resolution – The smallest measurable change in acceleration (m/s² or g). Higher resolution improves motion tracking and dead reckoning accuracy.
Gyroscope Resolution – The minimum detectable change in angular velocity (°/s or rad/s), affecting heading and attitude accuracy.
Sampling Resolution – The resolution of digitized sensor data, typically determined by the bit depth of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (e.g., 16-bit, 24-bit resolution).
Position Resolution – The smallest measurable change in position (meters or centimeters), important for long-term navigation accuracy.
How Resolution Affects INS Performance
✔ Higher resolution sensors detect smaller movements, improving accuracy in slow or precise motion tracking.
✔ Low-resolution sensors introduce quantization errors, leading to drift and degraded navigation accuracy over time.
✔ High-resolution gyroscopes reduce heading drift, improving long-duration navigation without GNSS assistance.
