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US 10,094,664 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for diminishing bias error in resonant fiber optic gyroscopes
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsGlen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises generating a waveform; measuring signals representative of angular rotation rate in a linear region of the waveform; and diminishing bias error about at least one of a waveform's maxima and minima.
Claims20
A resonant fiber optic gyroscope, comprising:
- coherent light sources;
- wherein the coherent light sources generate a clockwise light signal and a counter-clockwise light signal;
- an optical resonator, coupled to the coherent light sources, formed from optical fiber and including a primary coil;
- an input axis parallel to a center axis of the primary coil;
- wherein a portion of the clockwise light signal and a portion of the counter-clockwise light signal enter and propagate respectively clockwise and counter-clockwise around the optical resonator and the input axis;
- a first photodetector coupled to the optical resonator;
- a second photodetector coupled to the optical resonator;
- wherein the first photodetector is configured to generate a first feedback signal whose amplitude varies based upon incident power of a portion of the counter-clockwise light signal that exits the optical resonator;
- wherein the second photodetector is configured to generate a second feedback signal whose amplitude varies based upon incident power of a portion of the clockwise light signal that exits the optical resonator;
- a piezoelectric transducer around which the optical fiber of the primary coil is wound;
- a first voltage source coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to generate a waveform having maxima and minima;
- a processing system;
- and
- wherein the processing system is configured to generate a signal, representative of an angular rotation rate around the input axis, with diminished bias error including diminished bias error arising about at least one of the waveform's maxima and minima.
11 more elements
A method, comprising:
- generating a clockwise light signal and a counter-clockwise light signal coupled to a coil of optical fiber of an optical resonator;
- generating a waveform from a signal generator configured to cause the coil of optical fiber to expand and contract;
- measuring signals representative of angular rotation rate of the optical resonator in a linear region of the waveform;
- and
- diminishing bias error, in the signals representative of the angular rate of rotation, about at least one of the waveform's maxima and minima.
2 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a vehicle;
- wherein the vehicle includes one or more gyroscopes;
- and
- wherein at least one gyroscope comprises:
- coherent light sources;
- wherein the coherent light sources generate a clockwise light signal and a counter-clockwise light signal;
- an optical resonator, coupled to the coherent light sources, formed from optical fiber and including a primary coil;
- an input axis parallel to a center axis of the primary coil of the optical resonator;
- wherein a portion of the clockwise light signal and a portion of the counter-clockwise light signal propagate respectively clockwise and counter-clockwise around the optical resonator and the input axis;
- a first photodetector coupled to the optical resonator;
- a second photodetector coupled to the optical resonator;
- wherein the first photodetector is configured to generate a first feedback signal whose amplitude varies based upon incident power of a portion of the counter clockwise light signal that exits the optical resonator;
- wherein the second photodetector is configured to generate a second feedback signal whose amplitude varies based upon incident power of a portion of the clockwise light signal that exits the optical resonator;
- a piezoelectric transducer around which the optical fiber of the primary coil is wound;
- a first voltage source coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to generate a waveform having maxima and minima;
- a processing system;
- and
- wherein the processing system is configured to generate a signal, representative of an angular rotation rate around the input axis, with diminished bias error including diminished bias error arising about at least one of a waveform's maxima and minima.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.