Litton is developing an interferometric fiber optic gyroscope for future navigation, guidance and stabilization applications. The gyro is presently less than three inches in diameter, which is size competitive with current ring laser gyros ofequal performance. Inthis paper we will report on the bias, scale factor and input axis alignmentperformance of the inertial navigation fiber optic gyroscope over extended, dynamictemperature environments.
In the past, fiber optic gyros have generally been viewed as angular rate sensors. However, for inertial navigation purposes, a "rate integrating" gyro characteristic is desired. The distinction is subtle, but important. A rate gyro's output represents an estimate of instantaneous angular rate. The system attitude is determined by sampling the rate and integrating numerically to angular displacement. On the other hand, a rate integrating gyro provides the change in rotation angle rather than instantaneous rate. The system accumulates the angular increments obtained from the gyro to determine rotation angle and, hence, attitude. A ring laser gyro is a good example of a rate integrating sensor. Its output consists of pulses that represent fixed angle increments. It is shown that an interferometric fiber optic gyro can also be configured as a rate integrating gyro. The paper discusses the theory and application of this concept.
High performance guided-wave optical components are essential to fiber optic gyros (FOG). The components of interest are multi-function integrated optic chips (MIOC), fiber coils, and polarization maintaining couplers.Recently, Litton Guidance & Control Systems Division has started a major effort to productize developed technology for its high volume and low cost FOG production. In the paper, the component performances will be presented and progress on the FOG component productization will be reported.
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