Three-axis nested fiber optic gyroscope

This paper provides a description of the three-axis nested fiber optic gyroscope (FOG). The three-axis FOG is being developed by System Engineering Solutions, Inc. (SES) and its prime subcontractor Fibersense Technology Corp. (FTC) under sponsorship by the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate of the US Army Aviation and Missile Command, a Phase II SBIR. The three-axis FOG being developed by SES is based on the design of a nested configuration of three free-standing elliptical fiber optic coils (patent pending), in a supporting assembly that yields substantial size and weight advantages. It permits use of a single environmental shield and thermal isolation enclosure. The nested assembly of three free-standing coils in its supporting structure with electro-optical components weighs less than 0.4 pounds and its volume is 19 cubic inches, not including shielding and isolation enclosure features which are application and interface dependent. Performance goals for the army three-axis gyroscope are discussed.