OSCP releases ArduPilot driver for MK2 family inertial measurement units

LAS VEGAS, OSCP, a Montreal-based company that designs and manufactures photonic gyroscopes and inertial measurement units, has announced the availability of an ArduPilot driver for its entire MK2 family of inertial measurement units. The software is now available for download at docs.oscp.com, along with integration documentation, a C SDK, and Python examples.

The announcement comes as OSCP's representatives are present at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, which runs from September 1 to 3. The company is aiming to enhance the functionality of its inertial measurement units, which are critical for the navigation and stabilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

For drone builders, the primary challenge is ensuring stable operation when GPS signals are lost. In such scenarios, the quality of the gyroscope determines how well the drone can maintain its course. OSCP's driver connects any MK2-family unit to an ArduPilot system via standard RS-422 or CAN-FD interfaces, allowing builders to choose from a range of units that meet their specific needs.

The MK2M2 is a MEMS unit measuring 40 by 40 by 25 millimeters, weighing 75 grams, and drawing 1.2 watts. For applications requiring higher performance, the company offers the photonic MK2E2, which provides tactical-grade performance while maintaining the same driver and interfaces. The key advantage of the photonic option is its resilience to vibration, which can significantly affect MEMS gyroscopes under high acceleration.

Kazem Zandi, founder and CEO of OSCP, commented, "Drone builders settled on ArduPilot a long time ago, and they were right. We are not asking anyone to change their autopilot. We are giving the autopilot they already trust a better sense of motion."

To illustrate the performance difference, a road test conducted over 21 minutes with satellite positioning denied showed that OSCP's photonic IMU finished 5.7 meters from ground truth, compared to 20.5 meters for a MEMS unit on identical aiding.

Founded in 2015, OSCP is based in Montreal and focuses on creating inertial sensors that offer tactical-grade accuracy at the size, weight, power, and cost of MEMS. The company's products are particularly useful in environments where GPS signals are unreliable or unavailable. OSCP's customers include companies in the space, defense, marine, and subsea, rail, robotics, and ground autonomy sectors.