TIME-DOMAIN SAGNAC PHASE READING IN OPEN-LOOP FIBER OPTIC GYROSCOPES

Time-domain characteristics of the signal of an open-loop fiber optic gyroscope were analyzed. The waveform moments of the gyroscope signal were dependent upon the rotation-induced Sagnac phase, just as the sig nal frequency spectra are. The peak positions of the rime signal also varied with the supplied rotation, and the Sagnac phase could be read out, with optimum sensitivity, from the intervals between peaks. To de monstrate the lime-domain measurement technique, the gyroscope signal was transferred to lower frequencies and the signal period was lengthe ned. This equivalent-time scheme lowered the operational speed require ment on the signal processing electronics and improved measurement res olution.