Minimum detectable signal and optimal operating point in intensity noise-limited fiber optic gyroscopes

The relative intensity noise in sinusoidally modulated fiber optics gyroscopes is analyzed in order to determine which is the value of the minimum detectable signal by the demodulator electronics circuits. The analysis is conducted for both the well known lock-in amplifier demodulator and the mean value demodulator (MVD). Numerical results show that, in intensity noise-limited fiber optics gyroscopes, the MVD allows for the demodulation of smaller signals when compared to the lock-in amplifier.