Ring Laser Gyros for Space Precision Pointing and Navigation Applications

S. G. Hummel, J. G. Hanse

Abstract:	The advantages of Ring Laser Gyros (RLG's) for aircraft, missile, and reentry vehicle inertial navigation systems have been documented and demonstrated. This paper considers the critical issues in extending the use of RLG's as primary inertial sensors of spacecraft precision pointing and navigation systems: - Are current or projected RLG sensor measurement accuracies compatible with future high precision applications. - What are the pointing accuracy implications of RLG electro mechanical dither and rate biasing techniques commonly used for lock-in compensation with RLG inertial navigators. The paper explores RLG performance enhancement techniques, both hardware and software, including angle measurements resolution improvement, random drift reduction, and optimization of RLG auxiliary servo-loop electronics
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1986 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 21 - 23, 1986 Long Beach, CA
Pages:	113 - 114
Cite this article:	Hummel, S. G., Hanse, J. G., "Ring Laser Gyros for Space Precision Pointing and Navigation Applications," Proceedings of the 1986 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Long Beach, CA, January 1986, pp. 113-114.
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