Improved ring laser gyro navigator

Michael J. Hadfield; Tom Stiles; David Seidel; William G. Miller; David Hensley; Steve Wisotsky; Michael Foote; Rob Gregory

doi:10.1117/12.45629

1 July 1991 Improved ring laser gyro navigator

Michael J. Hadfield, Tom Stiles, David Seidel, William G. Miller, David Hensley, Steve Wisotsky, Michael Foote, Rob Gregory

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1478, Sensors and Sensor Systems for Guidance and Navigation; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.45629
Event: Orlando '91, 1991, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

An improved ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation unit (RLG INU) has recently been delivered. The new RLG INU is an all-attitude strapdown inertial navigator. Designed to provide superior attitude performance, this new RLG INU also provides navigation performance well within the Air Force Standard Navigator requirements for a strapdown system. The new design expands upon F-15 and Air Force Standard Navigator INU technology. A number of techniques were employed to achieve superior performance. The sensor assembly was redesigned to increase stiffness and reduce coning characteristics. Filtering algorithms were redesigned to reduce noise under 2.5 arc seconds. Coning algorithms were redesigned to reduce compensation errors. Attitude computation rates were increased to 300 Hz to reduce data delays. A faster microprocessor was incorporated in order to implement the improved coning compensation, filtering techniques, and higher attitude computation rates. New calibration techniques were developed because of the navigation and attitude precision of this navigator. Extensive ground testing has shown the navigator's performance to be well within requirements. Performance does not appear to degrade at either temperature extreme, nor in a rigorous vibration environment. Limited flight testing has demonstrated the RLG INU's navigation performance. More extensive flight test results should be available later this year. This paper provides the design rationale for this unit, its ground/flight performance, and plans for further testing.

Citation Download Citation

Michael J. Hadfield, Tom Stiles, David Seidel, William G. Miller, David Hensley, Steve Wisotsky, Michael Foote, and Rob Gregory "Improved ring laser gyro navigator", Proc. SPIE 1478, Sensors and Sensor Systems for Guidance and Navigation, (1 July 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.45629

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