Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH

B-290 Three-axis accelerometer based on MEMS technology

Accelerometer with MEMS technology

The basis for individual inertial developments

The B-290 accelerometer based on MEMS technology (MEMS = Micro Electro Mechanical System) was developed for the requirements of land, sea and air applications.

These inertial sensors are available with various performance parameters and they provide our customers with the scope to develop their own inertial system solutions.

The B-290 outputs temperature-compensated acceleration figures via a serial data interface. It is highly reliable and requires no periodic maintenance.

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LLN-G1 Inertial naviagtion system

Inertial navigation system with FOG-IMU

Inertial navigation system that functions as an attitude reference system

LLN-G1 is an inertial navigation system with six degrees of freedom that also provides the full functionality of a high-precision attitude reference system.

After many years of successful operation in mortars, battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers, the LLN-G1 received a new gyro unit (FOG-IMU) as well as additional interfaces to display and control devices as well as guidance systems. While retaining logistical compatibility, the current generation comes with MILBUS, RS-422, CAN-BUS or Ethernet interfaces to the avionics.

The LLN-G1 supports standard NATO GPS receivers as well as several commercial GPS receivers. The combination of gyro unit with an external GPS receiver constitutes a cost-effective solution for the life cycle of a vehicle navigation system in military use. With an anticipated service life of more than 20 years, the logistical replacement of the GPS component (e.g. to M-code GPS) must be possible with minimum conversion effort. The inertial component (FOG-IMU) is retained when the GPS receiver is replaced, and this assures a reliable navigation solution even if the enemy is using jammers.

In standard mode, the LLN-G1 provides a hybrid navigation solution, i.e. optimum positioning and heading information calculated from the sum total of sensor data. All LITEF navigation systems are developed, acceptance tested, produced and supplied right around the world in and from Freiburg. Since the sensor solution as well as the navigation algorithms are all from a single source, LLN navigators provide a hitherto unachieved level of system integrity upon which the driver, commander and the higher-level guidance system can depend.

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LLN-GX Inertial navigation system

Inertial navigation system with six degrees of freedom

Cost-effective solution for a vehicle navigation system in military use

The LLN-GX is an inertial navigation system with six degrees of freedom that simultaneously provide the full functionality of an attitude reference system.

After successful years of operation in battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers, the LLN-GX received a new gyro unit (FOG-IMU) as well as additional interfaces for display and control devices as well as guidance systems. Retaining logistical compatibility, the current generation comes with RS-422, CAN-BUS or Ethernet interfaces to the avionics.

The LLN-GX supports standard NATO GPS receivers as well as several commercial GPS receivers. The combination of gyro unit with an external GPS receiver constitutes a cost-effective solution for the life cycle of a vehicle navigation system in military use. With an anticipated service life of more than 20 years, the logistical replacement of the GPS component (e.g. to M-code GPS) must be possible with minimum conversion effort. The inertial component (FOG-IMU) is retained when the GPS receiver is replaced, and it guarantees a reliable navigation solution, even when the enemy is using jammers.

Im standard mode, the LLN-GX provides a hybrid navigation solution, i.e. optimum position and attitude information calculated from the sum total of sensor data. All LITEF navigation systems are developed, acceptance tested, produced and supplied right around the world in and from Freiburg. Since the sensor solution as well as the navigation algorithms are all from a single source, LLN navigators provide a hitherto unachieved level of system integrity upon which the driver, commander and the higher-level guidance system can depend.

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LLN-GY Navigation system for military wheeled

For reliable positioning and heading information

Can be installed in vehicles of all GFF/GTF categories

It would be entirely accurate to describe the LLN-GY as the standard navigation system for military wheeled vehicles. It assists the commander, the crew and the guidance system with a continuous stream of positioning and heading information.

The LLN-GY concept, with an inertial azimuth gyro (FOG technology) and two accelerometers (MEMS technology), has established itself worldwide as the best in terms of price/performance ratio. Successfully approved for the Leopard 2, LITEF has been producing this navigation system continuously for many years. With its small size and its low power requirements, this navigation system can be installed in all categories of GFF/GTF vehicle and was most recently ordered for the Mungo. The LLN-GY has been introduced right across the German Army and is robustly resistant to all known jammer scenarios.

The LLN-GY supports NATO GPS receivers as well as several commercial GPS receivers. The combination of inertial sensors with an external GPS receiver delivers a cost-efficient solution for the life cycle of a vehicle navigation system in military use. With an anticipated service life of more than 20 years, the logistical change of the GPS component must be possible (e.g. to M-code GPS) with minimal changeover cost while the inertial component remains unchanged.

In standard mode, the LLN-GY delivers a hybrid navigation solution, i.e. optimum positioning and heading information calculated from the sum total of sensor data. All LITEF navigation systems are developed, acceptance tested, produced and supplied right around the world in and from Freiburg. Since the sensor solution as well as the navigation algorithms are all from a single source, LLN navigators provide a hitherto unachieved level of system integrity upon which the driver, commander and the higher-level guidance system can depend.

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LLN-GZ Inertial navigation system

Inertial navigation system with MEMS-IMU

The right solution for vehicle and mission

The LLN-GZ is an inertial navigation system with six degrees of freedom. At the same time, the function is available as an attitude reference system that provides inertial sensor data such as rotational speeds and acceleration figures for feedback control and stabilisation tasks. Because it is compatible in terms of installation and wiring with the tried-and-tested LLN-GY vehicle navigation system, the LLN-GZ offers the user the scope to choose an appropriate vehicle-dependent or even mission-dependent system.

The LLN-GZ comes with RS-422, CAN-BUS and Ethernet interfaces to the avionics. It supports standard NATO GPS receivers as well as several commercial GPS receivers. The combination of gyro unit with an external GPS receiver constitutes a cost-effective solution for the life cycle of a vehicle navigation system in military use. With an anticipated service life of more than 20 years, the logistics of changing the GPS component (e.g. to M-code GPS or Galileo) must be possible with minimum inconvenience. The inertial component (MEMS-IMU) is retained when the GPS receiver is replaced, and it guarantees a reliable navigation solution, even when the enemy is using jammers.

In standard mode, the LLN-GZ provides a hybrid navigation solution, i.e. optimum position and attitude information calculated from the sum total of sensor data.

All LITEF navigation systems are developed, acceptance tested, produced and supplied right around the world in and from Freiburg. Since the sensor solution as well as the navigation algorithms are all from a single source, LLN navigators provide a hitherto unachieved level of system integrity upon which the driver, commander and the higher-level guidance system can depend upon at all times.

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µ-IMU

Inertial measuring unit based on MEMS

The perfect measuring unit

The µIMU is based on MEMS sensors that we developed in-house. It is a complete inertial measuring unit comprising three MEMS rate gyros three MEMS accelerometers, the associated electronics and power supply, all in a robust, hermetically sealed housing.

With its small size, its easy-to-integrate interface and its excellent performance data, the µIMU is the perfect measuring unit for all applications.

- Attitude-heading reference systems
- Flight control and stabilisation systems
- Stabilisation of cameras, antennas and other instruments on mobile platforms

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µCORS MEMS rotation

MEMS rotation rate sensor for diverse applications under the harshest environmental conditions.

Robust, precise and compact

LITEF’s new family of MEMS gyros includes robust and high-performance angular rate sensors that meet high accuracy requirements even under harsh environmental conditions in industrial, airborne aviation, land or marine applications. Even under high shock loads, the output of highly precise data is guaranteed.

Various interface options for the output temperature-compensated angular rates, angle increments or accumulated angles by means of an asynchronous or synchronous interface allow flexible adaptation to a wide range of applications.

The µCORS technology allows production of smaller sensors at lower costs than comparable FOG sensors. Thus, the µCORS is particularly suitable for price-sensitive applications in which a small size is required despite high accuracy and environmental requirements.

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µFORS Fibre optic rate gyros for high performance

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