Electro-optical ultra sensitive accelerometer

We present a novel optical transducer concept in the initial stages of development that promises to be inexpensive, small, lightweight, highly sensitive and durable. The successful development of this sensor will result in an optical accelerometer with resolution under 1 μg (1g=9.8 m/s²), which is two to three orders of magnitude more sensitive than current state-of-the-art MEMS-based accelerometers. This accelerometer is also expected to have a wide dynamic range with a resolution under 1 μg at 100 Hz and improved low frequency response over existing MEMS technologies. This will yield much improved velocity and acceleration aiding to GPS tracking loops under high dynamic conditions, permitting continued low bandwidth tracking, a concomitant mitigation of external noise, and an increased jamming immunity. Also, the successful development of this accelerometer may enable the use of Distributed Tactical Navigation Tools (DISTANT) IMUs where distributed ultra-sensitive accelerometers may replace one or more expensive gyroscopes in an integrated IMU system.