Fiber Optic Gyroscope Simulator for Vibration Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic gyroscopes face challenges in handling mechanical vibrations, making it difficult to determine their suitability for specific applications and predict performance, especially in environments like guided missiles and vehicles where vibrations are significant.
Innovation Solution
A digital simulator is developed to model the physics and signal processing of fiber optic gyroscopes, using iterative loops and sine/cosine functions to simulate light intensity and control loops, allowing for the reduction of Sagnac phase shift, and storing results for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic gyroscopes are used in environments with mechanical vibrations (e.g., guided missiles, vehicles), then they can provide navigation capability, but their performance becomes difficult to predict and assess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital simulator that copies the physical behavior of fiber optic gyroscopes including their response to mechanical vibrations. This virtual model allows performance assessment without actual physical testing in vibration environments, enabling prediction of gyroscope behavior under various vibration conditions while maintaining adaptability to different application scenarios
2Measurement precision
If physical testing of fiber optic gyroscopes in vibration environments is performed, then performance can be assessed, but it is difficult to determine suitability for specific applications and predict future performance
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator allows systematic variation of vibration parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration, waveforms) to match specific application requirements. By changing these parameters, users can assess gyroscope performance for different applications (missiles, vehicles, etc.) and predict future performance under defined vibration conditions, achieving both measurement precision and application-specific adaptability
3Reliability
If a digital simulator is developed to model fiber optic gyroscope physics and signal processing, then performance can be predicted and assessed, but the simulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical testing apparatus and procedures with a digital simulation model. The simulator uses computational algorithms to model the Sagnac effect, light propagation, and control loop behavior, substituting physical vibration environments with virtual ones. This reduces the need for complex physical test setups while maintaining performance prediction capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The simulator enables high-fidelity modeling of fiber optic gyroscope operations, allowing users to assess performance, identify potential failures, and predict future behavior, effectively handling mechanical vibrations and various stimuli.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the Sagnac effect, rotation of the coil causes the light beam traveling in the direction of rotation to experience a slightly longer path delay than the light beam traveling in the opposite direction. This creates a small phase shift between the beams of light.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes simulating operation of a fiber optic gyroscope during a digital simulation. The simulation includes performing an iterative loop that includes simulating an intensity of light from a fiber coil of the fiber optic gyroscope and simulating operation of one or more control loops within the fiber optic gyroscope using the simulated intensity of the light. The intensity of the light is simulated using a sine/cosine function based on at least one angular rate-related effect injected into the simulation as a Sagnac phase shift. The simulated operation of a first of the one or more control loops attempts to reduce or eliminate the Sagnac phase shift. The method also includes storing, outputting, and/or using results of the simulation. The at least one angular rate-related effect could include rotation of the fiber coil and/or mechanical vibration of the fiber coil.