Fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) assembly

A method for manufacturing a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) assembly, the method comprising:

• counter-winding an optical fiber in each of a first orientation and a second orientation opposite the first orientation;
• applying a potting material to the optical fiber to generate a fiber coil having a ring shape and comprising the optical fiber and the potting material, such that the fiber coil has an optical fiber density of greater than or equal to approximately 28,000 optical fibers per square inch of cross-sectional area of the fiber coil;
• applying a buffer material on a flange corresponding to a flattened portion of a spool comprising an axial center corresponding to a sensitive axis about which an associated FOG system is configured to measure rotation;
• and
• disposing the fiber coil within a toroidal cavity formed between the buffer material and the flange, and a magnetic shield arranged as a capped concentric cover about the sensitive axis and coupled to the flange.

An interferometric fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) comprising:

• a FOG assembly comprising:
• a spool comprising a flange corresponding to a flattened portion comprising an axial center corresponding to a sensitive axis about which the interferometric FOG is configured to measure rotation;
• a magnetic shield arranged as a capped concentric cover about the sensitive axis and coupled to the spool and the flange to create a toroidal cavity between the magnetic shield and the flange;
• a buffer material that is coupled to the flange within the toroidal cavity;
• and
• a fiber coil disposed within the toroidal cavity and coupled to the buffer material, the fiber coil comprising an optical fiber having a length that is greater than approximately 1 kilometer and which is counter-wound in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite the first orientation, the fiber coil having an axial dimension along the sensitive axis that is less than or equal to approximately 0.5 inches and a radial width corresponding to a difference between an outer radius and an inner radius of the fiber coil that is less than or equal to approximately 0.35 inches;
• and
• an optical signal in the optical fiber to determine a rotation about the sensitive axis of the FOG assembly.