Progress in miniaturizing fiber optic gyroscope components for tactical weapon systems

Paul B. Ruffin; Janet G. Sawyer; Chi C. Sung; Jeff Bush

doi:10.1117/12.258196

12 November 1996 Progress in miniaturizing fiber optic gyroscope components for tactical weapon systems

Paul B. Ruffin, Janet G. Sawyer, Chi C. Sung, Jeff Bush

Proceedings Volume 2837, Fiber Optic Gyros: 20th Anniversary Conference; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.258196
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The US Army Missile Command, Research, Development and Engineering Center has been conducting research and development activities on solid-state inertial components for next generation weapon systems for the past decade. The fiber optic gyroscope (FOG), which is on an upward trend as evidenced by the increase in patents and users, warrants a closer examination to address the technology limitations associated with ultra-miniature FOG components that are designed to operate in adverse environments. Several FOG testbeds are constructed for the characterization and evaluation of the optical components operating under a series of test conditions. Analytical models are developed to aid in explaining the experimental results. The data are used in assessing the size limitations for the optical components and design approaches that tend to degrade gyroscope performance. Some remarks are mad on the effects of bending-induced birefringence in single mode fiber on the performance of depolarized FOGs. It is found that reducing the inner diameter of the sensor coil below one inch has a detrimental effect on the gyroscope performance. Furthermore, the inherent fiber crossovers in the conventional precision wound coils tend to degrade the performance of the performance of the depolarized gyroscope. The findings of our investigation will aid FOG designers in optimizing FOG optical components for applications requiring small or restricted volume for various performance regimes.

Citation Download Citation

Paul B. Ruffin, Janet G. Sawyer, Chi C. Sung, and Jeff Bush "Progress in miniaturizing fiber optic gyroscope components for tactical weapon systems", Proc. SPIE 2837, Fiber Optic Gyros: 20th Anniversary Conference, (12 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.258196

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