Remote fiber optic gyroscopes for a broad range of applications

Fibersense Technology Corporation has completed the development of a new type of Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG) configuration in which the sensing element-the fiber coil-is separated from all other gyro elements. This configuration allows fiber coils to be located on the device of interest, without requiring any electrical connections to the rest of the gyro or system. A production version of this configuration, now being manufactured for a missile application, uses a sensing coil 1.3 inches in diameter and 0.3 inches thick. Without data compensation this FOG is capable of a dynamic range in excess of 10,000°/sec, an angle random walk of less than 0.03°/√h, and a bias stability over temperature and day-to-day of less than 2°/h. This FOG requires only ±5 volts to operate its low cost, all-digital signal processing electronics which produce a digital output proportional to rotation rate. Variations of this configuration, capable of 0.01°/h bias stability, have also been developed and demonstrated