THE ANELLO X3 IMU
UNLOCKING RELIABLE FLIGHT IN GPS-DENIED AIRSPACE

THE ANELLO X3 IMU - UNLOCKING RELIABLE FLIGHT IN GPS-DENIED AIRSPACE

As unmanned aerial systems scale into contested airspace, the risk of GPS jamming or spoofing increases dramatically. For defense, surveillance, and logistics drones operating beyond line-of-sight, maintaining accurate positioning without GPS is essential to mission success and airspace safety.
In this case study, we demonstrate how the ANELLO X3 IMU, a high-performance IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), supports reliable navigation in extended GPS-denied flight by delivering precise motion measurements. Leveraging ANELLO's Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOGTM) and advanced inertial sensor fusion algorithms, the ANELLO X3 IMU provides critical data that enables downstream systems to maintain flight control, positional accuracy and mission continuity, even in simulated real-world jamming conditions.

ANELLO X3 IMU

Fig. 1: ANELLO X3 IMU mounted on the drone used for GPS-Denied flight testing

BACKGROUND

Modern autopilot systems rely heavily on GPS inputs. When a signal is lost - due to jamming, spoofing, or terrain masking - drones are often forced to initiate failure protocols such as hover or emergency landing. This leads to operational failures, compromised missions, and ultimately equipment loss.
The ANELLO X3 IMU, combined with ANELLO’s real-time AI-powered Sensor Fusion Engine, detects GPS signal loss and autonomously activates a dead-reckoning solution, allowing drones to fly through GPS-denied environments and successfully reach their mission target.

THE ANELLO X3 IMU SOLUTION

Designed for GPS-denied autonomy, the ANELLO X3 IMU delivers navigation-grade performance in a compact, rugged form factor. At its core is ANELLO’s patented 3-Axis Silicon Photonic Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG™) and a highly advanced fusion algorithm stack.

Key features that make the ANELLO X3 IMU ideal for Airspace include:

  • PX4 and ArduPilot Integration
  • < 0.5°/hr Gyro Bias Instability
  • < 0.05°/√hr Angular Random Walk
  • 0.03 m/s/√hr Accelerometer VRW
  • < 20μg Accelerometer Bias Instability
  • Safety-rated RTOS & CPU
  • Triple Redundant MEMS IMU Setup (18 Axes Total)
ANELLO X3 DRONE NAVAGATIN SOLUTION

Fig. 2: ANELLO Solution vs. Traditional Autopilot in GPS-Denied Conditions

The ANELLO X3 IMU delivers best-in-class drift performance with exceptional robustness under real-world conditions. Engineered to excel in dynamic motion and high-vibration environments, the ANELLO X3 IMU maintains reliable accuracy even during complete loss of external positioning inputs - ensuring consistent navigation when it matters most.

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE & INTEGRATION

In this flight profile, the ANELLO X3 IMU was mounted on a drone platform integrated with Pixhawk 4 for control and paired with GPS and other onboard sensors. The ANELLO X3 IMU provides RS-422 or UART connectivity enabling seamless integration into UAV systems. The ANELLO X3 IMU supports triple-redundant 6-axis MEMS IMUs - each with independent CPU and power subsystems - totaling 18 axes of motion sensing.
ANELLO UAV

Fig. 3: ANELLO X3 - System Architecture for UAV Navigation


PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGES

Reliable Continuity in GPS-Denied Airspace:
The ANELLO X3’s AI-powered dead-reckoning sustained mission progress without initiating failure mode.
Unmatched Drift Control:
Sub-20m error over 740m GPS outage, outperforming competing systems by 6–10x.
Fast Time-Sync and Integration:
The system’s digital interface and calibration features enable smooth drop-in replacement or system augmentation.
Superior Motion Handling:
The ANELLO X3 IMU sustained accurate heading and position during full 6-DOF UAV maneuvering.

TEST FLIGHT RESULTS IN GPS-DENIED AIRSPACE

To put the ANELLO X3 IMU to the test, we flew a UAV over a 1,230-meter route - where 740 meters were navigated without any GPS input. This real-world scenario simulated the challenges of GPS jamming and spoofing, demonstrating the ANELLO X3’s ability to deliver precise and resilient navigation under contested conditions.

Integrating ANELLO X3 with commercially available Pixhawk ecosystem

Fig. 4: ANELLO X3 IMU integrated with Pixhawk, with flight demo at ANELLO proving grounds

Fig. 5: Flight path showing trajectory during GPS outage

During a 30-minute test flight, the UAV pushed through demanding aerial maneuvers at an average speed of 10 m/s. Midway, GPS was cut off for over 60% of the mission - replicating a true jamming or spoofing scenario. The ANELLO X3 IMU kept the mission on course, holding drift to under 20 meters – an error of only ~2% across the entire route.

CONCLUSION

The ANELLO X3's successful demonstration in GPS-denied airspace validates its role as a mission-critical component for next-generation autonomous aerial applications. By combining cutting-edge optical gyroscope hardware with advanced AI-based sensor fusion, the ANELLO X3 ensures resilient, accurate, and safe navigation where traditional systems fail.
From defense drones and surveillance platforms to autonomous delivery systems, the ANELLO X3 IMU is redefining airborne navigation while delivering unmatched performance and guiding missions with precision, even in GPS-denied environments.
Take your mission further with the ANELLO X3 IMU. Reach out to our team at info@anellophotonics.com for details and next steps.