LOW-COST VESSEL MOTION MONITORING: INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNIT VALIDATION AND CALIBRATION

Abstract

The importance of the study of ship motion characteristics lies not in the motions themselves, but rather the effects caused by these dynamic motions. Motions are significantly influenced by a multitude of factors, including external disturbances such as waves or wind as well as vessel’s design and construction parameters. This work presents an initial analysis of the vessel motions based on the rotational movements roll, pitch and yaw. This motion monitoring will be done by using a do-it-yourself low-cost apparatus, designed and assembled at the University of Saint Andrews. It combines an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), with a GPS and an external battery to operate independent of the vessel.

The results of motion monitoring trials are presented in this work, confirming that the low-cost IMU used are appropriate devices for vessel motion monitoring. This finding represents a significant advancement over the more artisanal methods utilized thus far, while also entailing a significant cost reduction compared to other inertial measurement devices with costs up to 20 times higher.