SBIR-STTR Award

Recent trends in Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (IFOG) development have focused on system miniaturization and cost reduction for tactical weapon systems. Due to the significant cost advantage of single mode (SM) fibers, depolarized IFOGs have great potential in meeting low cost goals. A Phase I objective is a thorough investigation of stress induced birefringence in SM micro sensor coils. The second objective is an innovative crossover-free winding approach will be developed followed by a preliminary design of an automated winder for the crossover-free micro sensor coil. Micro sensor coils can be used in IFOGs and other fiber sensors applications. A wide variety of military and commercial applications exist. Military applications include guidance and control of missiles, aircraft, unmanned vehicles/aircraft, submariness, ships, satellites, and spacecraft. Commercial applications include guidance and control of passenger and cargo aircraft/cruise ships/cargo ships, automotive navigation, robotics, and platform stabilization applications

Morgan Research Corporation proposes to combine crossover-free fiber winding techniques with the selection of optimal SM fibers, high quality coil form materials, and ideal adhesives to produce an enhanced Crossover-Free Micro Sensor Coil. The crossover-free winding configuration also includes built-in thermal symmetry, which greatly reduces both the radial and axial components of time-varying thermal gradients. This Phase II effort will provide a substantial two-fold breakthrough: 1) by eliminating polarization non-reciprocal (PNR) bias errors for depolarized IFOGs, and 2) by reducing the largest IFOG error source, time-varying thermal gradients which is most commonly known as the Shupe effect. By combining these technologies, the elimination of bias errors created by fiber crossovers, stress birefringence, and thermal effects in IFOG sensor coils may be realized. These technology advancements will provide increased IFOG performance at reduced cost.

Keywords:
FIBER OPTIC GYROSCOPE, CROSSOVER-FREE, THERMALLY-SYMMETRIC, BENDING INDUCED BIREFRINGENCE