Next Generation Fiber Optic Gyroscopes for Use with GPS in Vehicle Navigation and Location Systems

Vincent Martinelli and Ray Ikeda

Abstract:	Fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology has proven to be a suitable candidate for many applications where it is desirable to integrate GPS with a dead reckoning sensor. Open-loop, all-fiber type FOGS have been available commercially for several years for this purpose. Progress in minimizing size and reducing cost for these FOGS has been reported in several conferences previously. As application areas grow and commercial markets materialize, FOG technology is being pushed further to reduce dead reckoning sensor cost and size. In this paper we report the latest progress in the development of a low- cost FOG using an integrated optical circuit. The advantage of this design approach is that several functional devices can be integrated onto one small chip. Hitachi Cable’s approach has been to develop the chip design and the manufacturing technology simultaneously in order to achieve short product development cycle time and low cost in manufacturing. In this paper we will report on several engineering tradeoffs for this new gyro design, with consideration for the perspective of a systems designer who is trying to integrate the FOG with GPS into vehicle navigation and location systems. The FOG design will be reviewed and the development program status will be summarized. We will present FOG data relevant for dead reckoning sensor use in an integrated system. We will discuss existing and potential uses for this new technical approach to low-cost FOG design.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995) September 12 - 15, 1995 Palm Springs, CA
Pages:	1295 - 1299
Cite this article:	Martinelli, Vincent, Ikeda, Ray, "Next Generation Fiber Optic Gyroscopes for Use with GPS in Vehicle Navigation and Location Systems," Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995), Palm Springs, CA, September 1995, pp. 1295-1299.
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