cheap gyros, accelerometers, IR sensors

[MIG-29]

Hi,

I think it would be good if we would have a list of companies that produce cheap accelerometers, gyros, IR sensors.
Most of us use them in UAV projects and having this kind of database would be of great help.

I will start the list with a question: Where can we find cheap accelerometers, gyros, IR sensors? Can anyone give some input?

E.g: good accelerometers, gyros- analog devices www.analog.com
IR sensors- Planartechnik GMB http://cms.hlplanar.de/index.php?spath=338&lan=1

Thank you and I wait your inputs too. I am also looking for cheaper sensors... day by day :)

[zik]

Melexis makes the thermopile used in the copilot. They're cheap in quantity:

http://www.melexis.com/ProdMain.aspx?nID=19

The cheapest per axis gyro I've been able to find is the Invensense IDG300:

http://www.invensense.com/products/idg_300.html

[zik]

How about this beauty?

ADIS16355 High-Precision Tri-Axis Inertial Sensor

It has three axes of accelerometers and three axes of gyros all in the one chip.

* Tri-Axis gyroscope; 300°/sec dynamic range
* Integrated Tri-axis Accelerometer (10g)
* 350Hz bandwidth
* Factory calibrated sensitivity and bias, across temperature
* Digitally controlled filtering and sample rate
* Programmable condition monitoring, alarms
* Auxiliary ADC, DAC, and digital I/O
* Digitally activated self-test
* Embedded Temperature Sensor
* SPI®-compatible serial interface
* Single-supply operation: +4.75V to +5.25 V
* 2000 g powered shock survivability

But not so cheap at around $359 a unit. There's a cheaper version at only $275 a unit.

http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,2877,ADIS16355,00.html

Cheers,
Zik

[sergey123]

Hey Zik,
yes ADIS16355 is very-very good 6dof on chip IMU!!!
BTW: anybody knows how to get samples from analog ???

[zik]

Hi sergey,

If you can talk Analog Devices into giving you a $359 sensor as a free sample you're a better man than me!

[Corbin_Dallas]

(wiimotes) :p

-(v(@-

[Mark Harris]

www.sparkfun.com and distributors :)

[oobly]

You can buy a PS3 Sixaxis controller (which contains a Murata ENC-03R gyro chip AND an HDK 3-axis accelerometer) cheaper than a gyro chip or breakout board ... What is up with the manufacturers charging so much for low numbers of chips?

I want to build my own 3in1 for a submicro heli, but it is cheaper for me to buy finished products and scavenge the parts than to buy the parts DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER.... :mad:

I had originally planned to make it available commercially when I finished it, but it just won't be possible unless I get the parts a LOT cheaper.

-Oobly

[oobly]

Cheapest I have found for Murata ENC-03R in Europe:

https://www.mikrocontroller.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=217&zenid=463ef62960017652e9150d75cbab404e

25 euros.

-Oobly

[EpicAdventure]

Although the 6DOF units are pretty cool, isn't that typically overkill for UAV applications?

Seems like you can get by pretty well with just a single gyro and a pressure sensor for most airplanes. (A second gyro would be nice for better pitch control).

[zik]

You can buy a PS3 Sixaxis controller (which contains a Murata ENC-03R gyro chip AND an HDK 3-axis accelerometer)
The annoying thing about the "sixaxis" controller is that it's only a 4DOF IMU, not "six axis" at all. The Murata ENC-03R gyro is a single axis gyro, measuring left-right tilt in the case of the sixaxis.

[bmw330i]

[edit]obsolete

[frac]

What is up with the manufacturers charging so much for low numbers of chips?
-Oobly

they are protecting the bizness interests of their manufacturing hi volume(profits!) partners and thus their own interests(profits!!).

there was a time when building ur own electronics was actually cheaper than buying finished product.....apparently the bizness model has changed.

you can still go the sample route if you can convince them that you will be a high volume customer...or have a design ready. it's always worth a try and if not from the manufacturer direct then their (big ) electronic parts distributors.

what's up with Philips etc these days...maybe they have some tech and that's probably easier for europeans



frac

[cstratton]

The annoying thing about the "sixaxis" controller is that it's only a 4DOF IMU, not "six axis" at all. The Murata ENC-03R gyro is a single axis gyro, measuring left-right tilt in the case of the sixaxis.

Anyone know if there's a gyro in the Gigaware wireless PS3 controller?

[zitron]

Buy a cheap RC gyro for ~$15, and use that: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=964184

[small_rcer]

These are available now.

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?catname=Gyro&idCategory=259&ParentCat=196

If you can't read the link it is unitedhobbies.com and in the helicopter and parts there is a section GYRO. That is where you want to be.

Read the comments by users. They have used as many as 3 on a plane to smooth out flight. $30.00 a throw ready to use.

Jim H