Determining Position in 3D Space

[VictorV]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am working on a project which involves a motion sensor which contains

a 3-axis accelerometer. My goal is to determine the position of the

sensor in 3D space relative to some starting point.

 

At first I thought that just the accelerometer was all that I needed

but after thinking about it some more it appears that this solution

is not adequate. Of course determining position from acceleration

is simple a double integral estimation which is not terribly complicated.

 

My concern is that the position is relative to the accelerometer itself.

I am imagining a scenario where you move the sensor in the +Z direction

(for simplicity assume it is in the direction opposite gravity) and

then rotate the sensor about either the X or Y axis 180 degrees and then move

the sensor in the -Z (in the direction of gravity). In both cases the

sensor will register +Z acceleration but really the sensor is moving in

2 different directions.

 

It seems that the issue is the sensor is not aware of angular movement.

 

So my question is.....In order to determine position in 3D space do I

need both an accelerometer AND a 3-axis gyro? And related to that

can I get away with a 2-axis gyro?

 

Thanks,

 

Victor

[NeonBlack]

Nevermind.

I will add something helpful later.