The Characterisation and Testing of MEMS Gyros for GIOVE-A

This paper describes the characterization and testing of the Systron Donner QRS11 MEMS rate sensors for the GIOVE-A mission. The rate sensing requirements for this mission exceeded the QRS11 data sheet specifications; hence testing was required to prove the unit's enhanced performance. This paper describes the test methods used, as well as the resulting bias and bias instability values measured. Effects such as the bias sensitivity to temperature, initial bias transient on switch-on, and vacuum effects on bias are measured and compensated for. The end results are bias and bias instability values that are well within the values stated in the QRS11 data sheet, and are verified by initial in-orbit results.