New standards in MEMS technology: LiMIS features an impressive balance between size, cost efficiency and performance. Years of research and development at LITEF have culminated in this outstanding solution, which has reached a new accuracy class in MEMS technology. Customers will benefit not only from lower costs and high performance, but also from standardised interfaces and optimum compatibility with existing LITEF IMUs.

In today’s world, continuous technological progress is a matter of course. And all technological developments have a common denominator: the desire for maximum performance optimisation. This is no different in sensor technology. The key here is finding the balance between size, cost and performance of the sensors. The trend towards miniaturisation – i.e. more and more power in an ever smaller space – comes up against the demand for more affordable solutions. LITEF has recognised these key customer needs and has marked an important milestone in technological progress with a new accuracy class in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. “We are pleased to expand our MEMS-IMU product family with the introduction of LiMIS as an important solution,” says Dr Andrea Dahlhoff, Head of the Industrial Solutions Business Unit at Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH.

MEMS Technology: reliable positioning at low cost

MEMS technology plays a crucial role in sensor technology, as it enables the production of compact yet highly accurate sensors. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) based on MEMS technology have gained in importance in many areas of application. Demand for this solution on the market exists particularly in areas where a reliable position determination is required, such as in the construction industry, in maritime applications, in industry or in aerospace.

An interesting comparison aspect is the fibre optic gyroscope (FOG) technology, which scores points thanks to its high-precision measuring capabilities, especially in demanding applications such as aerospace. FOG technology offers excellent accuracy, but is typically larger, more expensive and more energy-intensive than MEMS systems. The continuous improvement of MEMS technology is therefore not only a matter of increasing performance, but also of striking the ideal balance between accuracy, size and cost. LITEF has achieved a major breakthrough in this regard: the inertial measuring unit LiMIS redefines the standard in MEMS technology.

LiMIS: new accuracy class sets high standard

“After years of research and development, LiMIS has enabled us to define a new accuracy class in MEMS technology. LiMIS enables us to cover a wide range of applications that require high precision and at the same time compact and cost-effective technology,” emphasises Dr Andrea Dahlhoff. This solution represents a technological evolution that offers almost the same performance as FOG-based solutions – but at a lower cost. What does this mean in concrete terms? Areas of application for LiMIS can be found wherever a deviation of less than one degree per hour is important – modern applications such as high-resolution photogrammetry, mobile mapping or track surveying will benefit from the accuracy of LiMIS in the future.

In the field of mobile mapping, the precision and reliability of LiMIS enable improved data quality and thus provides the basis for more accurate results. In applications such as track surveying, where accuracy and reliability are crucial parameters, LiMIS offers many advantages due to its compact design and high precision – and impresses users in all areas of application by its cost efficiency and reliability. “LiMIS thus combines high performance with a cost-effective solution – and is therefore particularly interesting for our customers, who are already eagerly awaiting the planned market launch in the fourth quarter of 2024,” says Claus Kühne, team leader in Industrial Solutions Sales at Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH.

Standardisation and interoperability: LiMIS interfaces

In an increasingly networked world, technological compatibility and connectivity are essential. LiMIS relies on industry-standard and therefore widely used interfaces to enable smooth integration into existing systems. The ability to integrate LiMIS via standard interfaces and protocols provides high flexibility and interoperability with a wide variety of systems and applications. “From a customer’s perspective, this does not involve any significant development effort. However, users should always be aware of their specific requirements in order to achieve an optimal result,” explains Claus Kühne. “Of course, we also offer advice regarding suitable solutions in this area and work in partnership with our customers.”

Outlook: continuous optimisation which meets customer requirements

LiMIS represents an innovative turning point in MEMS technology, offering remarkable precision in a new accuracy class while maintaining a compact design. With this breakthrough, LITEF addresses the key customer needs for the highest performance and cost efficiency possible, thus setting a milestone that will decisively influence the direction of future progress in MEMS technology. “Of course, we will continue to take a customer-orientated approach in the future and keep an eye on current trends such as miniaturisation,” emphasises Claus Kühne.

The continuous development and improvement of LITEF products is based not only on internal expertise, but above all on the ongoing dialogue with customers and an understanding of their specific challenges and needs. Even after the launch of LiMIS, the focus will be on optimisation, further development and adaptation to the dynamic market conditions. “We see great potential for developing more compact and accurate solutions, especially in MEMS technology. LiMIS is just the beginning of another exciting journey,” concludes Dr Andrea Dahlhoff.