Shupe effect in a broadband source-driven resonant fiber-optic gyroscope

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Inertial Navigation Systems
• Optical Gyroscopes

Background:

• The Shupe effect is a significant limitation in fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) engineering applications.
• Advancing broadband source-driven resonant fiber-optic gyroscopes (RFOGs) requires a thorough understanding and mitigation of the Shupe effect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze the Shupe effect in broadband source-driven RFOGs.
• To develop and validate a prototype RFOG with enhanced performance characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Derivation of a mathematical model for the Shupe effect in broadband source-driven RFOGs.
• Development of finite element models for fiber-optic ring resonators (FRRs) in various symmetric configurations (quadrupole, octupole, 16-polar).
• Simulation of thermally induced bias drift and experimental validation using a precision RFOG prototype.

Main Results:

• A precision broadband source-driven RFOG prototype was developed with a 1025 m long FRR.
• The prototype achieved an Angle Random Walk (ARW) of 1.9×10^-4 °/√h, Bias Stability (BS) of 1.73×10^-3 °/h, and Bias Instability (BI) of 6.98×10^-4 °/h.
• The prototype demonstrated a rotation-rate error comparable to uncompensated IFOGs, implying a lower Shupe effect impact for equivalent accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The broadband source-driven RFOG exhibits higher accuracy for a given fiber length compared to traditional IFOGs.
• This indicates a reduced impact of the Shupe effect in broadband source-driven RFOGs, facilitating practical engineering applications.
• The systematic analysis and prototype development pave the way for advancing RFOG technology.