Navigation Sensors

IMUs, AHRS and GNSS/INS Systems for UAVs, Defence, Robotics, Marine and Industrial Platforms

Navigation sensors help systems understand how they move and where they are. They measure motion, orientation and sometimes position. Because of this, they are a key part of UAVs, robots, defence platforms, marine vessels and many other modern systems.

Metromatics supplies a wide range of navigation sensors from trusted global manufacturers. These include IMUs, AHRS units, GNSS/INS systems and tactical-grade navigation products. In addition, we offer development kits that make testing and integration easier for engineers.

Read more about Navigation Sensors

What Are Navigation Sensors?

Navigation sensors use inertial and GNSS technology to provide key data such as:

Acceleration and rotation (from IMUs)
Roll, pitch and yaw (from AHRS)
Heading (from AHRS and GNSS/INS)
Position and velocity (from GNSS/INS)

When this data is combined, systems can stay stable, follow paths and hold accurate orientation. As a result, navigation sensors are used in both simple and advanced control systems.

Main Types of Navigation Sensors

Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)

IMUs measure acceleration and rotation on three axes. They provide raw motion data. Because of this, they are often used inside flight controllers, robotics platforms and custom navigation software.

Attitude & Heading Reference Systems (AHRS)

AHRS devices process inertial data and output roll, pitch, yaw and heading. In addition, they use filtering algorithms to give smooth orientation data even when the system is moving.

GNSS/INS Navigation Systems

GNSS/INS systems combine an IMU with GNSS receivers. As a result, they can provide position, velocity, attitude and heading. Dual-antenna versions also improve heading accuracy in magnetic noise.

Tactical-Grade Navigation Systems

Tactical-grade systems use very low-drift inertial sensors. Therefore, they keep their accuracy over long periods and in harsh conditions. They are often used in defence, aerospace and long-duration missions.

Navigation Sensor Development Kits

Development kits include cables, breakout boards, mounts and software tools. Because of this, they make it easier to test sensors, collect data and integrate hardware into real systems.

Typical Applications

UAVs & Drones

Flight stability and control
Navigation and guidance
Gimbal and payload stabilisation

Defence & Military Systems

Unmanned vehicles
Targeting and weapon alignment
High-accuracy navigation and attitude

Robotics & Automation

Localization and mapping
Autonomous movement
Motion tracking and control

Marine & Subsea Platforms

Vessel attitude and heading
AUV/ROV orientation support
Antenna and sensor alignment

Survey & Mapping

LiDAR motion compensation
High-precision geospatial data collection
Stable platform orientation

Navigation Sensors Supplied by Metromatics

Metromatics offers navigation sensors across different performance levels and technologies. For example:

Compact IMUs for small UAVs and robots
Industrial AHRS units for machinery and vehicles
GNSS/INS systems for full navigation solutions
Tactical-grade systems for defence and long missions
Development kits and accessories for testing and integration

Each product is chosen to support real-world projects in defence, aerospace, marine, industrial and research settings.

How to Choose the Right Navigation Sensor

Requirement / Use Case	Recommended Sensor Type
Basic motion and rotation sensing	IMU
Roll, pitch, yaw and heading	AHRS
Full navigation (position and attitude)	GNSS/INS
Defence or long-duration missions	Tactical-Grade Navigation System
Prototyping and integration testing	Navigation Sensor Development Kit

FAQ’s About Navigation Sensors

Q1. What is the difference between IMU, AHRS and GNSS/INS?

An IMU outputs raw acceleration and rotation. An AHRS adds roll, pitch, yaw and heading. A GNSS/INS system also includes position and velocity.

Q2. Do all navigation sensors need GNSS?

No. IMUs and AHRS units can work without GNSS. However, GNSS/INS systems use GNSS to improve long-term accuracy.

Q3. What if my application is in a GPS-challenged area?

Tactical-grade systems and high-quality AHRS units can keep orientation and short-term navigation even when GPS is weak or blocked.

Q4. Can Metromatics help me select the right sensor?

Yes. Metromatics offers local engineering support in Australia and can help match the sensor to your platform and project needs.

Why Buy Navigation Sensors from Metromatics?

Access to trusted global sensor manufacturers
Local engineering and integration support
Experience in defence, UAVs, robotics and marine projects
Help with selection, setup and testing