PNI Sensor Corporation

Papers

• PNI White Paper - Magneto-Inductive Technology Overview
  

  " Overview of how PNI's magneto-inductive sensor technology works, with a discussion of some of the technology's attributes."

• Joint Navigation Conference '09 - Characterization of Errors in Weapon Mounted AHRS
  

  " Presentation by Davy Figaro of PNI. Provides a basic overview of the function and application of a weapons orientation module (WOM), then reviews static errors associated with the accelerometers and magnetometers, plus dynamic errors when firing."

• Sensors Expo '09 - Sensor Fusion Algorithm for 2 Axis Gyro, 3 Axis Accelerometer, & 3 Axis Magnetometer
  

  " Presentation by Tyler Bryant of PNI. Covers modeling of an AHRS system utilizing only a 2-axis gyro augmented by a 3-axis magnetometer and 3-axis accelerometer using Kalman filtering."

• PNI White Paper - Magnetic Distortion Explanation and Testing
  

  " This PNI white paper reviews sources of localized magnetic distortion and how to correct for these distortions to obtain accurate compass readings. Next the paper discusses tests performed at PNI to measure the effectiveness of magnetic distortion correction algorithms on 3-axis compasses from 3 different companies."

Projects

• Ground Station Tracking and Telemetry System
  

  " The author developed a tracking and telemetry system for use with radio-controlled airplanes. This was entered in Microsoft's "Dare to Dream" inventors competion."

• Mini Rover 7
  

  " An autonomous ground vehicle (AGV or mobile robot), modeled on the NASA/JPL Rocky 7 Mars rover, is discussed. The emphasis of the article is on using electronic compassing to provide heading information. A PNI V2Xe was used on this robot."

• SubjuGator Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
  

  " A detailed description of the University of Florida’s Machine Intelligence Laboratory AUV, incorporating PNI’s TCM5 tilt-compensating electronic compass. The Subjugator AUV went on to win the 2007 AUVSI/ONR Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition."

• Magnetic Control: Tongue Drive System Allows Individuals with Disabilities to Operate Powered Wheelchairs and Computers
  

  " A small magnet, the size of a grain of rice, is attached to an individual's tongue and its location detected by a pair of three-axial PNI sensors mounted on headgear near the user's cheeks. The system allows tongue motion to direct the movement of a cursor across a computer screen or a powered wheelchair around a room."

• High Altitude Photographic Balloon (HAPB) Project
  

  " HAPB is an unmanned high altitude balloon experiment platform intended to increase understanding of planetary atmosphere, global weather, and climate patterns. The author developed code to interface PNI's TCM5 with Parallax Inc's Stamp and Propeller microcontrollers, and has made this code generally available."

• Labyrinth Explorer
  

  " METU (Middle East Technical University, Ankara , TURKEY ) presents a prototype autonomous ground vehicle (AGV or mobile robot), which is intended for use in labyrinth-like situations, such as working through debris after an earthquake. The robot incorporates PNI's V2Xe digital compass and details of the implementation are discussed, including discussions of the decision algorithm."

• Heriot-Watt Victorious in Underwater Robot Competition
  

  " Heriot-Watt University designed and built a hover-capable Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), incorporating PNI's TCM5 electronic compass. Their "Nessie IV" AUV took first place at the 4th Student Autonomous Underwater Competition – Europe, which involved completing a complex in-water mission with no direct human control."

• Nova Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
  

  " A detailed description of a littoral hovering inspection class AUV, incorporating PNI’s TCM5 tilt-compensating electronic compass, developed by a team of Cornell undergraduate students. The Nova AUV went on to win the 2009 AUVSI/ONR Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition."