Dithering system and method for a laser diode light source for an optical gyroscope
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsPei-Hwa Lo, Herb Califano
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for improving spectrum linewidth and stability while using the lasing region of a conventional laser diode light source. The inventive system and method provide a dithering signal for varying the drive current of the laser diode light source. By varying the drive current, the spectrum linewidth and stability of the conventional laser diode light source is significantly improved. Specifically, an optic fiber gyroscope can be driven by a conventional laser diode source which is powered by a dithered drive signal.
Claims23
A fiber optic gyroscope comprising
- a coil,
- a fiber optic input for the coil,
- a laser diode whose output is applied to said fiber optic input, and
- drive circuitry for said laser diode comprising means for supplying a dithering signal for varying the drive current to said laser diode so that said laser diode provides a stable wideband optical signal to said fiber optic input.
A method for improving the stability and linewidth of a laser diode's spectrum, said method comprising the step of applying a dithering signal for varying the drive current of the laser diode.
A system for improving the stability and linewidth of a laser diode's spectrum, said system comprising:
- means for generating a dithering signal;
- means for adding the dithering signal to the drive signal for the laser diode, and
- means for providing the combined dithering signal and drive signal to the laser diode for varying the drive current of the laser diode.
A method for applying light from a laser diode to a fiber optic gyro comprising the step of applying a dithering signal to the drive circuit for the laser diode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.