Fiber optic rate gyros

Abstract

The design and test result of an ultra miniature interferometric fiber optic rate gyro (IFOG) are reported. A unique IFOG gyro has been fabricated and tested. The gyro implements low cost components packaged in a volume less than 2.3 cubic inches including electronics. Test results verify that operational performance requirements over the temperature range of -57 to +71 C are met in the design. Key results include: electronic power consumption of 2.3 Watts, noise < 0.16 deg/sec/rt-Hz, scale factor of 32.9 mV/deg.sec, activation time of < 300 msec, threshold and resolution of 0.01 deg/sec, scale factor linearity error < 0.14 percent, and bias < 0.1 deg/sec. The gyro also survived a vibration test at 26.5 Grms. The gyro design is presented and accompanied with test data showing general conformance to the design's operational performance requirements.