Fiber Optic Gyros: Accuracy & Price | Camera/Gun Stabilization

In summary: Well I am doing a project on gun stabilization. It could be mounted any moving platform, say a vehicle.Time should be as short as possible of course. Greater the accuracy, greater would be the project.Accuracy is the key. Spinning flywheels cannot provide the accuracy one needs in gun stabilization. Thats why people have switched to modern gyros like Fiber Optic gyros and Ring Laser Gyros. Accuracy is the key.
  • #1
Israr Hussain
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Hello every body. Has anybody used Fiber Optic Gyros? How accurate they are? How about the price range? Could anybody help me select a suitable actuator system/motor mechanism for, say a camera stabilization or a gun stabilization using a fiber optic gyro. I want to get rid of mechanical gyros.
 
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  • #2
What do you mean by “mechanical gyros”? Spinning flywheels or MEMS?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrating_structure_gyroscope

Fiber Optic Gyroscopes are laser gyroscopes. They are more accurate than mechanical or ultrasonic / MEMS gyros. The problem with FOGs is that they require a spool with many hundreds of metres of optic fibre as a laser light path and a digital processor. That makes them bulky and require a significant power supply. To stabilise a targeting system would require at least two FOG modules. FOGs are suitable for navigation because they can sense the rotation of the Earth and so find the True North meridian. They make an accurate compass, something that MEMS cannot do.

3D MEMS gyroscopes are now the obvious choice for fast servo stabilisation of handheld or tripod mounted platforms or equipment. They are light weight, robust, low power and have a fast response.
 
  • #3
There is the Ring Laser Gyro, much more compact. FOG fibers are noted at 5 km.
 
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  • #4
Baluncore said:
What do you mean by “mechanical gyros”? Spinning flywheels or MEMS?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrating_structure_gyroscope

Fiber Optic Gyroscopes are laser gyroscopes. They are more accurate than mechanical or ultrasonic / MEMS gyros. The problem with FOGs is that they require a spool with many hundreds of metres of optic fibre as a laser light path and a digital processor. That makes them bulky and require a significant power supply. To stabilise a targeting system would require at least two FOG modules. FOGs are suitable for navigation because they can sense the rotation of the Earth and so find the True North meridian. They make an accurate compass, something that MEMS cannot do.

3D MEMS gyroscopes are now the obvious choice for fast servo stabilisation of handheld or tripod mounted platforms or equipment. They are light weight, robust, low power and have a fast response.
Yes spinning wheel gyros
Doug Huffman said:
There is the Ring Laser Gyro, much more compact. FOG fibers are noted at 5 km.

Doug Huffman said:
There is the Ring Laser Gyro, much more compact. FOG fibers are noted at 5 km.
But Ring laser gyros have frequency lock in issue. Secondly they have very poor response to slow angular rates, i.e they do not sense slow angular change
 
  • #5
Israr Hussain said:
Yes spinning wheel gyros
But Ring laser gyros have frequency lock in issue. Secondly they have very poor response to slow angular rates, i.e they do not sense slow angular change
Spinning wheel gyros do not need a separate actuator for the counter torque against precession.
 
  • #6
Israr Hussain said:
Secondly they have very poor response to slow angular rates, i.e they do not sense slow angular change
But a camera or gun needs to be stabilised only over a period of a few seconds at most.

Spinning flywheels stabilise the platform without need for a servo system.

FOGs, ring lasers and MEMS all sense orientation changes and require a servo system to stabilise the platform.
 
  • #7
Baluncore said:
But a camera or gun needs to be stabilised only over a period of a few seconds at most.

Spinning flywheels stabilise the platform without need for a servo system.

FOGs, ring lasers and MEMS all sense orientation changes and require a servo system to stabilise the platform.
Accuracy is the key. Spinning flywheels cannot provide the accuracy one needs in gun stabilization. Thats why people have switched to modern gyros like Fiber Optic gyros and Ring Laser Gyros.
 
  • #8
Israr Hussain said:
Accuracy is the key.
What are you trying to stabilise?
What is it mounted on?
What accuracy do you require over what period of time?
How will you remove Earth rotation from your platform?
 
  • #9
Baluncore said:
What are you trying to stabilise?
What is it mounted on?
What accuracy do you require over what period of time?
How will you remove Earth rotation from your platform?
Well I am doing a project on gun stabilization. It could be mounted any moving platform, say a vehicle.
Time should be as short as possible of course. Greater the accuracy, greater would be the project.
 
  • #10
And, do we need separate motors for stabilization module or integrate the output from gyros to the azimuthal and traversal motors used for the gun control?
 

What is a fiber optic gyro and how does it work?

A fiber optic gyro is a type of gyroscope that uses the principle of light interference to measure rotational motion. It consists of a coil of optical fiber and a light source. When the gyro is rotated, the light passing through the fiber experiences a phase shift, which can be measured and used to determine the rotation rate.

How accurate are fiber optic gyros?

Fiber optic gyros are known for their high accuracy and precision. They can detect rotation rates as low as 0.0001 degrees per hour and have a bias stability of less than 1 degree per hour. This makes them suitable for use in navigation systems and other applications where precise measurements are necessary.

What factors affect the accuracy of fiber optic gyros?

The accuracy of a fiber optic gyro can be affected by various factors, including temperature, vibration, and alignment. Changes in temperature can cause the fiber to expand or contract, which can affect the light's phase shift. Vibration can also disrupt the light's path through the fiber, leading to inaccuracies. Proper alignment of the gyro is crucial for accurate readings.

How does the price of a fiber optic gyro compare to other types of gyroscopes?

Fiber optic gyros tend to be more expensive than other types of gyroscopes, such as mechanical or ring laser gyros. This is due to the complexity and precision of the technology used. However, their accuracy and reliability make them a worthwhile investment for certain applications.

Can fiber optic gyros be used for camera/gun stabilization?

Yes, fiber optic gyros are commonly used for camera/gun stabilization in military and aerospace applications. Their high accuracy and fast response time make them ideal for stabilizing equipment in dynamic environments. They can compensate for movement and vibrations, resulting in smoother and more precise tracking of targets.

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