Automatic north sensor using a fiber-optic gyroscope

Abstract

Computer-controlled, fully automatic north sensors using all-fiber gyros are developed. With the use of a fiber gyro with a scale factor of 5.4 s and a 1665-m polarization-maintaining fiber, the north direction is detected with a high measurement accuracy of 0.056°. The effect of the surrounding mechanical noises on the achievable measurement accuracy is investigated.