Environmental test results of low-cost fiber optic rate gyros

A thorough investigation of the temperature induced performance errors of IFOG configured fiber gyros was performed. The investigation was focused on low-cost optical components which are capable of being assembled into a gyro package volume of less than two cubic inches including electronics. Testing performed at the optical component level includes diode sources, receivers, wound coils, and integrated optic assemblies. Testing also included the fabrication of IFOG circuits and performing gyro bias and noise measurements. The test results indicate that high performance rate sensing is possible given the use of low cost optical components.