Closed loop fiber optic gyroscope

This paper reports the results from two experimental closed loop gyroscopes using ordinary single mode fiber. Rotation rate bias stability data are presented for both short term (r = 1 sec) and long term (T = 100 sec., NT = 6 hrs). The performance of our systems is displayed in the frequency domain as well as in the time domain. The best performance achieved was a rotation rate noise of .9 ° /hr for 1 sec. integration, .30 ° /hr for 10 sec. integration and in the long term .08 ° /hr for 100 second integration. The extrapolated drift, .2 ° / Ihr, was less than an order of magnitude above the shot noise limit. Our second (breadboard) gyroscope has achieved a long term (6 hours) bias stability of 1 ° /hr.