- Products
Watson Products
Watson Industries offers a wide range of sensing devices. Our product lines include individual gyro sensors and accelerometers all the up to complete GPS based inertial measurement units.
Applications
From detecting solar storms through magnetic field variations to stabilization of luxury yachts, Watson Industries either has a product for your application, or we can customize a sensor to meet your needs.
Inertial Measurement
Attitude with GPS-Aided Heading
Inertial Measurement Sensors are used in a wide variety of applications. Watson Industries has several product lines including GPS-aided inertial gyro systems.
Attitude with Magnetic Heading
Attitude with GPS-aided Heading
An Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) is a device that can output all aspects of a vehicle's attitude. This includes: bank, elevation, heading, roll, pitch, yaw, and x y z acceleration. Our AHRS-E304 is accurate enough to be used in aerobatic aircraft.
Single Axis Vertical Reference
Dual Axis Vertical Reference
Analog
Analog
Analog & Digital
Analog & Digital
Vertical Reference Sensors contain gyros and accelerometers that are used to stabilize vehicles and other platforms, such as cameras or antennas. Watson Industries manufactures both analog and digital vertical references.
Heading reference sensors are often used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). They provide a stable and accurate heading reference without using GPS. We also have gyro-stabilized models that retain thair accuracy during manuevers.
GPS Aided Sensors
GPS is a highly accurate heading reference for an inertial sensor package. It doesn't need calibration, and our gyros provide a short-term heading reference during GPS outages. This can allow the sensor to maintain an accurate heading even in areas where GPS reception is intermittant.
Gyro-Stabilzed Platform
The SPS-P230 stabilizes its payload on two axis (typically pan and tilt). Inside the durable housing, the stable mount includes two gyros and a 3 axis accelerometer. A joystick controller allows the operator to position the platform.
Single Axis Gyros
Three Axis Gyros
Rate Gyros, sometimes called Angular Rate Sensors, output a voltage that is proportional to the rate of turn about its sensitive axis. Watson gyros are solid state, so they are extremely reliable. Some models offer rate ranges up to 475° per second.
Watson Accelerometer
Accelerometers measure the rate of change in velocity of the sensor. The ProAccel® has three axis of accelerometers, so it can measure any acceleration mounted in any orientation. The ProAccel® is temperature compensated for bias and gain, and comes in ±2g, ±5g, and ±10g models.
3 Axis Fluxgate Magnetometer
Magnetometers measure the magnitude of the local magnetic field. The Watson fluxgate provides data in three parts: X, Y, and Z. Data for each axis is provided as an analog voltage. Magnetometers are typically integrated into higher-level sensors to serve as a heading reference.
- Applications
Watson Applications
Watson Industries gyros and inertial sensors can be used in a wide variety of applications. Here at Watson, we have the experience and the skilled personnel needed to support your project. We are also willing to work with you on a new application.
Watson Industries prides itself on being able to support either low or high volume products. If you would like to talk to one of our engineers about your application, just Email us or call us at +1 (715) 839-0628.
- Instrumentation
- Airborne Spectral Ground Survey
- Flight Test Instrumentation
- Control & Stabilization
- Aviation: Piloting Display
- Aviation: Aerobatic Piloting Display
- UAVs: Flight Control & Display
- Navigation
- Target Drone: Compass System
Our precision gyros are durable and accurate enough for some of the most demanding aerospace applications. Watson sensor packages have uses in airborne spectral surveying to driving an aerobatic aircraft EFIS display.
- Control & Stabilization
- Cable Supported Cameras
- High Speed Tilt Control
- Navigation
- Warehouse Navigation
Watson Industries gyros are durable under shock and vibration but still retain their accuracy, which is important for land applications. We have provided gyro sensors for a wide range of applications from vehicle crash testing to sports medicine and nuclear power plant inspections.
- Instrumentation
- Undersea Cable Laying
- Buoy & Current Monitoring
- Control & Stabilization
- Satellite Tracking Antenna
- Yacht & Ferry Stabilization
- Remotely Operated Vehicles
- Navigation
- Remotely Operated Vehicles
Watson sensors work well in marine environments. Some of our applications include deep sea cable laying trenchers to stabilization of satellite tracking antennas. We can even customize units for pressure vessels.
- Support & Service
Watson Support & Service
Service
Watson Industries always strives to provide the best customer support in the industry. Our business hours are 7:00 am to 5:30 pm Central Time Monday through Friday.
Support
Distributors
Software
Watson Industries has distributors for our products all around the world. See our distributors »
Magnetic Heading Calibration Software for Watson Sensors is available for your PC. Download Software »
Custom Products
Legacy Products
Watson has built many custom units for specific applications, or to differing specifications. Custom Modifications »
Our legacy section contains information on products that have been discontinued or replaced. Legacy Products »
- About Us
Watson Industries, Inc.
Watson Industries was founded in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1980. We have been in production of high quality solid state gyroscopes since the company's inception. We pride ourselves in providing economical custom products and engineering services in the international marketplace.
Watson is experienced in a wide range of sensor applications ranging from undersea to outer space. An extensive listing of inertial sensor applications can be found in our Applications Index.
How to find us
Directions to our facility along with the locations of local lodging. Read More »
Patents, Papers, & Reports
View the abstracts for many of Watson Industries gyro technology patents along with a selection of Watson reports, and papers. Read More »
Employment
Want to be a part of Watson Industries? Any employment opportunities that are available at Watson can be found here. Read More »
Quality Assurance
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing our customers with high quality and competitively priced instrumentation, Watson Industries' production facility at 3035 Melby Street is ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C certified.
-
VSG GYROS
Watson Industries was the U.S. distributor for the British Aerospace VSG gyro. BAE
discontinued the product line in early 2008. Our stock of new BAE VSGs is now exhausted.
This prompted the discontinuation of the product line. Watson Industries has designed the
Pro Gyro®
to be a replacement for the VSG.
View Specs »
IMU-E604
The Watson IMU-E604 featured triaxial rate gyros, accelerometers, and a three-axis fluxgate magnetometer. Since the sensor
was typically used for ground-based applications, the GPS Aided Watson inertial measurement units
have replaced the functions of the IMU.
View Specs »
Watson Industries, Ltd. Products
Watson Industries, Inc. has taken over production and support for Watson Industries, Ltd. (WIL). We can manufacture WIL products; However, many of our sensors can substitute for WIL sensors.
Below is a list of some WIL sensors and their closest matching Watson sensor. If you have any questions about finding a matching sensor, just call us or send us an email.
| WIL Part No. | Watson Part No. | |
| ARS-LTD | ARS-C Series | |
| ARS-M100 | ARS-C132-1A | |
| AHRS-LTD | AHRS-E304 | |
| DMS-LTD | DMS-E604 | |
| IMS-LTD | IMU-E604 (legacy) - DMS-EGP02 recommended | |
| VRU-LTD | ADS-C132-1A, ADS-C232-1A | |
| VRU-LTD 2004 | VRS-E232-1AD/279 | |
| VRU-LTD 2005 | VRS-S232-1AD/275 | |
| VAR-LTD | VRS-E132-1AD, VRS-E232-1AD | |
| VSG-LTD | Pro Gyro® Series |
WATSON INDUSTRIES LEGACY PRODUCTS
Here you will find information on Watson Industries' discontinued products. This portion of the website is part of our continuing commitment to customer support. If you have any questions concerning a product that has been discontinued, feel free to call us or send us an email.
Watson Industries, Ltd.
Our European office is closed. All customers can get support through Watson Industries, Inc. in the US. The Watson, Ltd. product line has been discontinued, however many of the products have a suitable Watson, Inc. replacement. If not, Watson can manufacture a custom product to match the performance specs of your Watson, Ltd. product.
VSG Repair Capabilities
As the US distributor for the VSG before it was discontinued, Watson Industries has the expertise needed to repair and calibrate your gyro. If you use VSG gyros as a sensor or in an instrumentation package that needs repair, contact Watson Industries.