# Wireless Inertial Measurement Units in Performing Arts

## TL;DR

This paper reviews wireless IMU systems used in performing arts, focusing on their unique requirements and applications.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of wireless IMU systems tailored for the performing arts.

## Key findings

- Wireless IMU systems have strict requirements for sample rate, latency, and power consumption.
- Commercial wireless IMU systems meeting these requirements are still limited.
- Use cases in performing arts can inform other applications.

## Abstract

Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), which embed several sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) are employed by musicians and performers to control sound, music, or lighting on stage. In particular, wireless IMU systems in the performing arts require particular attention due to strict requirements regarding streaming sample rate, latency, power consumption, and programmability. This article presents a review of systems developed in this context at IRCAM as well as in other laboratories and companies, highlighting specificities in terms of sensing, communication, performance, digital processing, and usage. Although basic IMUs are now widely integrated into IoT systems and smartphones, the availability of complete commercial wireless systems that meet the constraints of the performing arts remains limited. For this reason, a review of systems used in performing Arts provides exemplary use cases that may also be relevant to other applications.