Optical gyroscope with broadband comb interrogation
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsJianfeng Wu, Steven Tin, Tiequn Qiu, Matthew Wade Puckett, Glen A. Sanders, Chad Hoyt
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Abstract
Embodiments utilize an optical frequency comb generator coupled to an optical resonator of an optical gyroscope. The optical frequency comb generator generates an optical frequency comb having frequency peaks that each correspond to a respective resonance frequency of the optical resonator. A control servo can be coupled to the optical frequency comb generator and controls the optical frequency comb output from the optical frequency comb generator. In doing so, the optical frequency comb remains tuned to the resonance frequencies of the optical resonator during gyroscope operation.
Claims16
An optical gyroscope, comprising:
- an optical resonator;
- an optical frequency comb generator coupled to the optical resonator and configured to generate an optical frequency comb, wherein the optical frequency comb is locked to at least one of a plurality of resonance frequencies of the optical resonator;
- wherein the optical resonator is configured to receive an optical signal from the optical frequency comb, wherein the optical signal propagates in the optical resonator in a first direction;
- a reflecting element coupled to the optical resonator, wherein the reflecting element is configured to reflect the optical signal after propagating in the first direction,
- wherein the optical resonator is configured to receive the reflected optical signal, wherein the reflected optical signal propagates in the optical resonator in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
- and
- at least one processor coupled to the optical resonator, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine an intensity corresponding to the reflected optical signal after propagating in the second direction, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a rotation rate based on the intensity corresponding to the reflected optical signal.
A method for operating an optical gyroscope, the method comprising:
- generating, from an optical frequency comb generator, an optical frequency comb, wherein the optical frequency comb is locked to at least one of a plurality of resonance frequencies of an optical resonator of the optical gyroscope;
- coupling an optical signal from the optical frequency comb into the optical resonator, wherein the optical signal propagates in the optical resonator in a first direction;
- reflecting the optical signal after propagating in the optical resonator in the first direction;
- coupling the reflected optical signal into the optical resonator, wherein the reflected optical signal propagates in the optical resonator in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
- determining a change in intensity from the optical signal and the reflected optical signal;
- and
- determining a rotation rate based on the change in intensity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.