An inertial measurement unit (IMU) provides relative 3D and attitude changes between fixed or known survey points.
IMU’s are used when traditional GPS detection methods are unavailable (i.e., pipelines beneath a seabed), but the most precise accuracy is required. Essentially, IMU’s collect the tool behavior (accelerations and angular rate) with the impressive data collection of 200 samples per second.
High-end measurement technologies like fiber optic gyroscopes and accelerometers are keys to establishing baseline measurements against which IMU tools can produce dependable, actionable insights. To put the accuracy of these tools’ information accuracy into perspective, the data processing of our IMU units need to consider the force of the earth’s gravity and the speed of its rotation.