Xsens develops inertial sensing technologies for offshore and subsea platforms, delivering stable and precise motion data in harsh marine conditions. Learn more >>
The company’s industrial-grade IMUs and MRUs combine onboard sensor fusion, compact form factors, and low-latency performance for navigation, stabilization, and orientation applications.
The sensor modules are designed for vessel, offshore, and subsea integration, providing attitude, heading, and heave data in environments affected by wave motion, vibration, and magnetic interference. The technology is used across offshore infrastructure, marine robotics, vessel monitoring, and subsea inspection operations where dependable motion tracking is required.
Motion and Orientation Data for Offshore Operations
Offshore and subsea systems frequently encounter unstable conditions that can affect positioning and orientation accuracy. Xsens inertial sensors maintain roll, pitch, and heading measurements during both surface and underwater deployment, including operation near metallic structures and in unpredictable wave conditions.
Advanced magnetic interference compensation technology supports stable heading output in challenging electromagnetic environments, while high-frequency orientation output enables responsive monitoring and control across vessels and autonomous platforms.
Applications include:
- Vessel motion monitoring and stabilization
- ROV and UAV orientation control
- Offshore crane and platform positioning
- Antenna and radar alignment
- Buoy and surface station orientation
Surface and Underwater Performance
Xsens IMUs and MRUs are designed for operation above and below the waterline. For surface platforms, integrated Heave functionality delivers real-time vertical displacement data to support vessel stabilization and active heave-compensation systems.
The Heave output provides 5 cm accuracy for heave periods of up to 29 seconds, supporting offshore operations that require precise vessel motion compensation.
In subsea environments, the sensors provide roll, pitch, and heading measurements for underwater operations. The modules can also operate alongside DVL and USBL systems for complete subsea navigation solutions.
Typical use cases include:
- ROV and AUV navigation
- Subsea mapping and inspection
- Docking and cable-laying systems
- Autonomous surface vessels
MRUs with Integrated Heave Capability
The Xsens Sirius and Xsens Avior product lines are available as MRUs with integrated Heave functionality, providing real-time vertical displacement data together with roll and pitch measurements.
Computed onboard using sensor fusion algorithms optimized for long-period marine motion, the Heave output supports stabilization, drilling, docking, and active heave-compensation systems requiring precise vessel movement data.
Heave capability is available across Sirius and Avior AHRS models through a firmware update.
Sensor Fusion for Marine Motion Tracking
Xsens combines gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers with onboard fusion processing optimized for long-period marine motion. Developed through more than two decades of motion tracking expertise, the technology is designed to provide stable orientation data across changing offshore conditions.
Key operational benefits include:
- Real-time onboard data processing without post-processing requirements
- Sub-2 ms latency for responsive control systems
- Stable performance across low- and high-dynamic operating conditions
The onboard processing architecture supports integration into navigation and stabilization systems requiring continuous orientation updates and responsive motion data.
Compact Integration for Offshore and Embedded Systems
The sensor portfolio includes formats ranging from compact SMD modules to ruggedized IP68-rated housings, supporting integration into both small autonomous platforms and larger offshore systems.
Integration features include:
- Compact dimensions for micro-ROVs and embedded electronics
- RS-422 interfaces for long cable runs aboard vessels
- SDKs and open-source integration tools for accelerated development
The modular architecture supports deployment across space-constrained, cost-sensitive, and scalable maritime programs.
Motion Reference Performance in Compact Form Factors
Traditional marine MRUs are often associated with larger footprints and higher system costs. Xsens provides compact and flexible modules intended for applications with limited installation space, cost-sensitive requirements, or high-volume deployment needs.
The sensors deliver:
- High-precision roll, pitch, and heave data
- Simplified integration into existing architectures
- Industrial-grade operational reliability
The compact architecture supports integration into autonomous and remotely operated systems operating in offshore and subsea environments.
Addressing Offshore and Subsea Navigation Challenges
Marine environments introduce operational challenges that can affect inertial sensing performance. Xsens modules incorporate onboard processing and environmental compensation features designed to support reliable operation under these conditions.
Examples include:
- Magnetic interference near onboard equipment
- Advanced magnetic compensation algorithms support stable heading output.
Absence of GNSS signals underwater
The sensors provide reliable orientation data and can operate alongside DVL and USBL positioning systems.
Long-period wave motion and dynamic vessel movement
Onboard fusion processing and Heave output support compensation for changing offshore dynamics.
Limited installation space in ROVs and AUVs
Compact OEM and SMD modules are designed for integration into confined underwater vehicle enclosures.
Xsens Sensor Modules for Marine Applications
Xsens Avior Series
Xsens Sirius Series
The Xsens Avior Series provides a low SWaP-C OEM solution for demanding motion environments. The platform supports multiple communication interfaces including UART, CAN, I2C, SPI, RS232, RS422, and optional EtherCAT connectivity. MRU configurations with Heave functionality are also available.
Xsens Sirius Series
The Sirius Series is designed for operation in harsh marine conditions and features a MIL-standard IP68 housing resistant to humidity, salt spray, shock, vibration, electromagnetic interference, and temperature extremes. The series also supports MRU functionality with integrated Heave output.
MTi 1-Series
The MTi 1-Series is an ultra-compact 12 × 12 mm SMD module developed for embedded and space-constrained systems. The series incorporates onboard sensor fusion and is available in AHRS, INS/GNSS, and INS/GNSS + RTK configurations, including development-ready modules for rapid prototyping.
MTi 600-Series
The MTi 600-Series includes both OEM and rugged IP68-rated modules for marine integration. The OEM versions are designed for embedded applications requiring compact form factors, while the rugged variants provide additional environmental protection. AHRS, INS/GNSS, and INS/GNSS + RTK options are available across the range.
Supporting Offshore and Marine Robotics Applications
Xsens inertial sensing technology is deployed across offshore construction, vessel stabilization, underwater navigation, marine robotics, and autonomous surface systems.
The sensors support research, safety, and automation at sea by delivering dependable motion and orientation data for systems operating in challenging offshore and subsea conditions.
