Quantum Hive gravity system

量子蜂巢项目是伯明翰大学（UoB）和硅微重力（SMG）的联合倡议。它旨在通过采用SMG开发的MEMS重力传感器的混合方法，为大华大学开发的冷原子量子传感器的商业化提供一种创新的、可行的方法。重力传感器一直在努力获得商业吸引力，但通过采用混合方法，利用每个传感器系统的技术优势，将提供满足最终用户需求的重力传感系统。量子重力传感器有能力a)提供当今MEMS传感器无法实现的灵敏度水平，b)测量非常低的漂移水平，c)提供绝对重力和重力梯度测量。然而，它的外形因素，缺乏机动性和成本为需要测量更大区域的地方提供了挑战。MEMS重力传感器缺乏量子传感器的绝对精度，并且具有更大的漂移水平，但具有外形因素，功耗和成本，使它们能够作为单个传感器或群集部署在无人机或自动驾驶车辆上，停下来进行测量，然后再次移动。由于这些不同的属性，混合方法可以利用相对优势，为现实世界环境提供真正创新的系统。量子系统将用作基站，为MEMS传感器提供绝对重力参考。量子基站（蜂巢）将具有有限的机动性，要么是固定的，要么是移动的轨道。MEMS传感器（蜜蜂）将通过自动驾驶车辆或无人机离开基站，在预定位置停下来进行固定测量，然后返回量子基地进行漂移消除。通过采用这种混合方法，该项目将满足终端客户的需求，这些客户需要在可接受的时间内以可行的成本对大面积进行重力测量。终端客户多种多样，但包括土木工程公司、公用事业公司、环保组织、碳捕获设施和国防/安全实体。

The Quantum Hive project is a joint initiative between the University of Birmingham (UoB) and Silicon Microgravity (SMG). It aims to deliver an innovative, viable way forward for commercialising the cold atom Quantum sensor developed at the UoB by adopting a hybrid approach with MEMS gravity sensors developed by SMG. Gravity sensors have historically struggled to gain commercial traction but by adopting a hybrid approach using the technical strengths of each sensor system will deliver a gravity sensing system which meets the end-users needs.The Quantum gravity sensor has the ability to a) provide levels of sensitivity unachievable today with MEMS sensors, b) measure with very low levels of drift and c) provide absolute gravity and gravity gradiometer measurements. However, its form factor, lack of mobility and cost provide a challenge where surveying of larger areas is required. MEMS gravity sensors lack the absolute accuracy of Quantum sensors and have larger drift levels but have a form factor, power consumption and cost which enable them to be deployed either as a single sensor or swarm on drones or autonomous vehicles, stopping to make measurements and then moving again. As a result of these different attributes, a hybrid approach can take advantage of the relative strengths to provide a truly innovative system for use in real world environments.The Quantum system will be used as a Base station providing an absolute gravity reference for the MEMS sensors. The Quantum Base station (the hive) will have limited mobility being either stationary or mobile of a rail. The MEMS sensors (the bees) will leave Base station on autonomous vehicles or drones, stop to take stationary measurements at pre-defined locations and then return to the Quantum Base for drift elimination.By adopting this hybrid approach, the project will meet the needs of the end customers who require gravity surveys over a large area in an acceptable time period and at a viable cost. End customers are multiple but include civil engineering companies, utilities, environmental organisations, carbon capture facilities and defence/security entities.