Evaluating performance of MEMS barometric sensors in differential altimetry systems

Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) barometric sensors are extensively employed in positioning systems for the acquisition of altitude data. Confidence in their general approval on position location applications is due to the following reasons: A. the relatively high accuracy of vertical position measurements, which is constantly improved in the most recent commercial sensor devices; B. the inability of the allied—and dominant in outdoor environment— GPS and GNSS products to operate within buildings. Indicative examples of barometric altitude readings in consumer, medical, and aerospace applications [1] are as follows. Detecting floor [2] and mode of transition (i.e., elevators, escalators or stairs) [3] inside large buildings can be addressed for indoor navigation; Identifying human physical activities (e.g. sit-to-stand) [4] and falls [5] is able to provide telehealth solutions; Fusing information from barometric altimeters with GPS may improve performance of GPS-based landing systems [6], while the employment of two barometers in a system can be used for measuring the airplane position angles (e.g. pitch and roll) [7].