Getting your gyroscopes right: high-end tactical grade performance at reasonable cost

FOG-like performance for advanced navigation

One critical parameter for microgravity researchers in Bremen is to capture and accurately process the minimal angular velocities typically observed in drop tests. The ASC 283-010’s extremely narrow measuring range of +/-10 °/s allows for this. However, the ASC 283 series is also available with measuring ranges of up to 400 °/s to support a wide range of applications.

The bias stability of below 0,1 °/h of this MEMS vibrating ring gyroscope model matches that of fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOG) and other high-end solutions, which are typically available at significantly higher cost. This compelling bias stability is critical to achieving the level of accuracy required in advanced settings, including microgravity research but also precise navigation applications like gyro-compassing or Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries.

Outstanding resolution at minimal ‘noise’ levels

Another parameter of crucial significance to achieving superior performance is a gyroscope’s angular random walk (ARW). Similar to an accelerometer’s noise level, the gyroscope’s ARW units characterize the amount of ‘background noise’ that may impact measuring results – and, therefore, the outcomes of precision navigation systems.

To that end, the ASC 283 series achieves an ARW below 0,01 °/√h. Inertial gyroscopes are, therefore, used in vessel, underwater and remote-controlled diving robot navigation to ensure exact gyro-compassing and because GNSS signals are not available even in shallow water and magnetometers easily deterred by the metal walls of the craft.

In aviation, too, inertial reference systems are used for navigation. They determine the position, speed and flying attitude of an aircraft in relation to the ground. As part of an AHRS, inertial measurement units (IMUs) are used to determine changes in roll, pitch and yaw angles. For these IMUs to deliver the required precision, the integrated gyroscopes must be better than 5 °/h. With its bias stability of <0.1 °/h, the ASC 283 is ideally suited for use in these IMUs.

Premium industry grade performance

However, not every sensor application requires the same level of precision and ‘strategic grade investment’. Most traditional monitoring needs, for instance in automotive testing, railway stock certification or the structural monitoring of buildings where dynamic events are the principal focus, are met by using high-performance industrial grade gyroscopes of the ASC 27x series.

At an even more economical cost, these uniaxial and triaxial sensors feature a measurement range from 75-900 °/s, bias stability of 12 °/h and an ARW of 0.2 °/√h. They are typically more compact to fit smaller spaces and are used wherever capturing an original signal with great precision is sufficient; while higher grade gyroscopes are required where the original signal then gets further processed. For instance, to calculate angles and distances from measuring angular speed. The more sophisticated the task, the more important exceptional bias stability and ARW of the used sensor technology become.

That is why ASC offers both, a reasonably priced industry grade inertial gyroscope range, as well as high-end tactical grade solutions that deliver superior precision wherever exact location, orientation and precise navigation matter.

Learn more: https://www.asc-sensors.de/en/sensoren/asc-283-en