Mapping Coordinate Systems Using Quaternions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenge of mapping accelerations from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) based on its changing orientation. The initial orientation is represented by the identity quaternion (1,0,0,0), and the goal is to transform acceleration readings from the IMU's current orientation back to this initial orientation. The initial approach using the quaternion rotation R = Q_{i} Q^{-1}_{c} was found to only work for single-axis rotations. Corrections were later identified, leading to R = Q^{-1}_{i}Q_{c} and the transformation of acceleration as \vec{a_{c}} = <-x,-y,z>, which raised questions about the sign change in the x and y components. The discussion highlights the complexities of quaternion mathematics in orientation mapping for IMUs.
ChuckFinley
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During the course of working with inertial measurement units (IMU) I have run into a problem.

The issue is that an IMU reports accelerations relative to the IMU's orientation rather than it's initial orientation. The IMU's initial orientation is the identity quaternion (1,0,0,0). All changes in the IMU's orientation will be relative to the initial orientation.

With this in mind, I have tried to create a way to map the accelerations of the IMU's specific orientation to that of it initial orientation. e.x. If the IMU is rotated but not accelerated the acceleration in the initial orientation should be constant.


So far I have this.

Let Q_{i} be the quaternion that represents the IMU's initial orientation (1,0,0,0).
Let Q_{c} be the quaternion that represents the IMU's current orientation.
Let R be the quaternion that describes the quaternion that represents the quaternion required to rotate Q_{c} to Q_{i}.

Let \vec{a_{i}} be the acceleration reading from the IMU initial orientation.
Let \vec{a_{c}} be the acceleration reading from IMU's current orientation.


R = Q_{i} Q^{-1}_{c}

Then: (the 0 above the vector is to show the vector is being transformed to a quaternion where w = 0)

\left(\stackrel{\textbf{0}}{\vec{a_{i}}}\right) = R\left(\stackrel{\textbf{0}}{\vec{a_{c}}}\right) R^{-1}

But this above equation only works when the IMU is rotated around 1 axis from it's initial position. For example, the logic holds when rotated around X, but not when rotated around both X and Y.

Thanks so much!
 
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After some digging on the internet, I was able to look at some source code from another research paper.

The corrections that needed to be made are:

R = Q^{-1}_{i}Q_{c}

and

\vec{a_{c}} = &lt;-x,-y,z&gt;

Strangely, I don't understand why x and y become opposites but it does work. Any ideas on why this might be would be very nice!

Hope this helps anyone in the future that may run into the same problem.

Thanks again.
 
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