Navigation Systems

Overview

World-class, industry-leading fibre-optic gyroscopes (FOGs) and Quartz MEMs rate sensors and Inertial Measurement Systems (IMS).

Integrated

Fully tailored solutions with optionally integrated optics & electronics.

Ultra-high accuracy

The highest levels of accuracy for the most demanding navigation, stabilisation and targeting systems.

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Where high accuracy navigation and stabilisation are required in environments where GPS can be denied requires technology that has very low levels of drift and noise over time. Applications include electro-optic camera systems, missile & UAV guidance and target location systems.

As many of the uses of FOGs are in airborne applications, size, weight and power (SWaP) are a main consideration. The ability to build the world’s smallest and lightest FOG navigation systems comes from the in-house foundry where a single transceiver replaces the multiple separate elements (like the light source, monitor diode, splitters, isolators, couplers etc.) found in traditional systems.

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The foundry also produces the Lithium Niobate Modulator which gives a fully closed-loop system for increased accuracy and stability. The third element to the sensor is the fibre coil which can also be wound on site giving tight control over the supply chain and the product quality. These capabilities combined with advanced automation for pig-tailing the fibres allows a system with the minimal number of splices leading to the most reliable and reproduceable sensor on the market today.

The FOG portfolio includes single axis rate-sensors, three axis Inertial Measurement Systems (IMS) along with the ability to add GPS conditioning and software to give a full Inertial Navigation System (INS).

For applications that do not require such high accuracy, are more price sensitive or where high levels of shock and vibration exist, we also have a range of Quartz MEMs sensors to complement our FOG range. These are also available in single axis, three axis and IMS configurations.

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