How to choose the best Xsens inertial measurement unit

This blog will introduce the Xsens inertial sensor product portfolio and will help you choose the right product for your application.

The Xsens portfolio ranges from inertial measurement units (IMU) to fully integrated GNSS-aided inertial navigation systems with RTK.

All Xsens products contain a MEMS-based 3d inertial sensor assembly consisting of three-axis gyroscopes, three-axis accelerometers, and three-axis magnetometers. In addition, several modules are equipped with a barometer and GNSS receiver.

Subjects overview in this blog:

• Xsens product portfolio
• Xsens series overview
• Xsens functionality overview
• Xsens Product Selector
• What data are you looking for?
• What specifications are you looking for?
• What interface do I need?
• Available Development Kits
• Form factor options
• Where can I buy Xsens sensors?

Xsens product portfolio

Our modules are divided into series and functionality. This table gives a full overview of our portfolio.

To better understand this overview, we will explain both the series and the functionalities.

Xsens series overview

The Xsens product portfolio is divided into series representing different accuracy, size, and weight levels.

MTi-1 Series:
The MTi 1-series is one-of-a kind: great performance, onboard sensor fusion and GNSS/INS + RTK available, on a tiny 12mm x12mm sensor. This cost effective module comes in a surface mount form factor, ideal for applications where size, weight and power consumption matter.

MTi-600 Series:
The MTi 600-series offers top performance in both an OEM or ruggedized form factor. It also features all functionalities, from simple IMUs to a full GNSS/INS + RTKI system, like the MTi-680 or MTi-680G (with internal GNSS/INS and RTK for centimeter accuracy). While the OEM versions allow you for flexible integration, the rugged/robust version (indicated with an 'R' or 'G') features IP68 protection against environmental influences.

Xsens Avior Series
The most recent OEM series from Xsens. It delivers high-performance inertial sensing in a compact, low SWaP-C package - engineered for fast, flexible and seamless system integration. It gives you a lot of flexibility for integration due to the multiple interfaces it supports: UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS232 and RS422. Despite its small size, the Avior is a high-perofmring sensor, delivering a stable output even under challenging motion dynamics. Ideal for drones, robotics, marine, and mobile mapping.

Xsens Sirius Series:
The Xsens Sirius is designed for exceptional performance even in the most challenging environments. The Xsens Sirius comes with a MIL-standard IP68 housing and is resistant to temperature extremes, humidity, salt spray, sand & dust, shock & vibration, and electromagnetic interference. When you need a high-performing sensor even in the most demanding environments, the Sirius is your best choice. 

All series have a powerful processor core enabling the sensors to process measurements with extremely low latencies and produce several outputs.

Xsens Product Selector

We have developed an easy-to-use tool to help youchoose the right Xsens product. 

Product Selector
With our Product Selector Tool, you can have a quick overview of our complete portfolio, and explore or compare the solutions that best fit your design needs.

Xsens functionality overview

Within each series we offer several versions with different functionalities, from a simple IMU to GNSS / INS + RTK sensors.

This image helps clarify the differences between the different types of module:

IMU
The inertial measurement unit or IMU is the most basic module type delivering calibrated 3D rate-of-turn, linear acceleration, and magnetic field measurements. Additionally, the 600-series contains a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure. The measurement data can be directly processed within your own application.

An overview of the Xsens IMU's can be found here.

VRU
The vertical reference unit or VRU uses the measurements to compute 3D orientation, for example, in terms of roll, pitch, and yaw. The roll and pitch angles are referenced using gravity, whereas the unreferenced yaw is Initialized to zero degrees when the sensor is powered on.

Because of the Xsens sensor fusion algorithm, these orientation estimates are of much higher quality than when simply integrating rate of turn measurements. Using the roll and pitch estimates the VRU can also compute free acceleration, that is 3D acceleration with the effects of gravity removed.

An overview of the Xsens VRU's can be found here.

AHRS
In addition to gyroscope readings, the attitude heading reference system or AHRS uses the magnetometer readings as an absolute reference to Earth's magnetic field to produce a true North referenced yaw.

An overview of the Xsens AHRS's can be found here.

GNSS/INS
In addition to all AHRS functions the GNSS aided inertial navigation system or GNSS/INS module also offers 3d position and 3d velocity based on its (internal or external) GNSS receiver and barometer. The GNSS measurements strongly improve the accuracy of heading estimates during motion.

An overview of the Xsens GNSS/INS's can be found here.

RTK GNSS/INS
To finalize we have GNSS/INS products that support Real-Time Kinematics (RTK). RTK makes the position estimates of the GNSS receiver more accurate by feeding in correction messages from a nearby base station. By using RTK, you can improve your positional data from meter-level accuracy to centimeter-level accuracy.

An overview of the Xsens RTK GNSS/INS's can be found here.

What data are you looking for?

In the table below, we show a comparison of the output parameters of each functionality. To find out which products best suit your application, use this table to select candidates based on the outputs you require.

To make this even easier, we have developed a Product Selector tool. By selecting the output and interface you need, an Xsens product comes rolling out. Try out our recommendation tool here.

What specifications are you looking for?

After you selected the output data you want to compare the technical specifications between the modules. All the series share many output parameters, still, technical details such as accuracy, stability and output data rates vary across the Xsens product range.

This table summarizes the most notable differences between the series.

What interface do I need?

Now that you have chosen the Xsens product that best fits your application, there are still additional options to select.

One of them is interfacing, we have multiple interfaces available:

Available Development Kits

We recommend using the development kits to get started with the Xsens products. Our kits allow you to easily test and evaluate applications via various interfaces, including USB.

We have development kits available for:

Form factor options

The form factor also plays an important role when selecting the inertial sensor module that is most suited to your application. 

We offer 3 different form factors:

SMD (Suface-mounted device)
Form factor of the MTi-1 Series.

OEM
We have 2 series in an OEM form factor: the MTi-600 OEM and the Xsens Avior.

Rugged
We also have solutions in a ruggedized form factor: the MTi-600 Rugged and the Xsens Sirius. 

Where can I buy Xsens sensors?

Online shop
Visit our online shop to view separately sold accessories such as additional cables and antenna.

Resellers and online catalogs
You can also purchase Xsens products via any of our resellers in or near your country or through an online catalog. You can find an overview here.