A low-cost alternative to gyroscopes for tracking system stabilization

Darren R. Laughlin

doi:10.1117/12.2322193

1 September 1990 A low-cost alternative to gyroscopes for tracking system stabilization

Darren R. Laughlin

Proceedings Volume 1304, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing IV; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2322193
Event: 1990 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1990, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Most tracking systems use gyroscopes of one form or another to help stabilize and control the line of sight (LOS) for the tracking sensor. Typically, the gyroscopes may be a significant part of the cost of the tracking system and may also require significant power which is often limited, especially for tactical applications. By optimally combining the tracking sensor's output with that from a magnetohydrodynamic angular motion sensor (MHD AMS), a tracking system platform can be stabilized to high bandwidths. The MHD AMS performs the same function as a gyroscope at high frequencies, but currently lacks capability to measure very low frequency inertial angular rates. This paper briefly reviews typical tracking systems using gyroscopes. Next, the basic characteristics and testbed capabilities of the MHD AMS are presented. Using the predicted MHD AMS noise and that expected from the tracking sensor, the pointing performance is estimated for several different applications. The MHD AMS has been designed in several versions which have different sensitivity and noise characteristics. Hence, a range of MHD AMS/tracking sensor combinations may be used to provide systems which fulfill a variety of pointing and tracking specifications. Cost and performance information is compared with those of typical gyroscopes used in a tracking system LOS stabilization application

Citation Download Citation

Darren R. Laughlin "A low-cost alternative to gyroscopes for tracking system stabilization", Proc. SPIE 1304, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing IV, (1 September 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2322193

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