LiDAR systems and ToF techniques are critical to providing self-driving cars with a detailed picture of the surrounding and is used in many research applications as well. Many of the major automobile vendors, along with well-known non-auto companies such as Google, are devoting major resources to developing autonomous vehicles (often called “self-driving cars”). These vehicles […]
Inertial Measurement Units: The hidden key to Apollo success, now a MEMS device (Part 2)
Part 1 of this article looked at the classic, highly refined, mature gyroscope-based IMU used for the Apollo moon mission; this part looks at the very different technologies which have largely replaced it. Gyro-based IMU: obsolete, or not? Inertial navigation relies on a stable platform with an orientation which is fixed in space and maintains […]
Inertial Measurement Units: The hidden key to Apollo success, now a MEMS device (part 1)
Transforming the gyroscope from a child’s toy to a precise guidance system for the Apollo moon landings demanded the ultimate in analytical, engineering, and manufacturing effort: now, MEMS-based units have largely replaced these gyro-based systems. With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo manned lunar landing on July 16, 1969, 9:32 AM GMT-4, there have been […]
Programmable Logic Controllers, Part 2: Evolution and history
The programmable logic control (PLC) is the controller for many industrial processes; it is tightly focused and optimized for the task due to its rugged electrical, software, mechanical, and thermal design. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of the PLC, its attributes, and virtues. Part 2 looks at how the PLC has […]
Programmable Logic Controllers, Part 1: Basics and background
The programmable logic control (PLC) is the controller for many industrial processes; it is tightly focused and optimized for the task due to its rugged electrical, software, mechanical, and thermal design. For engineers and system designers whose design-related work and personal life is focused on smartphones, desktop and laptop personal computers (PC), servers, the cloud, […]
