What is a Fiber Optic Gyroscope? Applications of Fiber Optic Gyroscopes and Inertial Navigation Systems in Unmanned Vehicle Driving

What is a Fiber Optic Gyroscope? Applications of Fiber Optic Gyroscopes and Inertial Navigation Systems in Unmanned Vehicle Driving

1.  Introduction to Fiber Optic Gyroscopes and Inertial Navigation Systems

A fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) is a high-precision inertial navigation instrument based on optical sensing technology, utilizing the Sagnac effect to detect angular velocity. Compared to traditional mechanical gyroscopes, FOGs offer advantages such as solid-state design, lack of rotating or frictional components, long life, wide dynamic range, instant start-up, simple structure, small size, and light weight. Consequently, they have found widespread application in precision guidance and aircraft navigation.

An inertial navigation system (INS) is an autonomous navigation system that doesn't rely on external signals. It uses an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to measure the vehicle's specific force and angular velocity, and based on initial motion conditions, it infers parameters such as velocity, position, and attitude in real time. Because INS don't radiate energy and don't rely on external signals, they offer strong autonomy. 

2.  Application of Gyroscopes in Autonomous Vehicle Navigation

Attitude Control:

Gyroscope sensors can accurately measure the angular velocity of an autonomous vehicle along different axes, thereby calculating its attitude and angular displacement. By controlling the attitude and orientation of the autonomous vehicle, precise turns and steering are achieved, improving its driving stability and safety. 

Navigation and Positioning:

Combined with sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes can provide information on the vehicle's speed and displacement.

When GPS signals are limited or unavailable, the gyroscope guidance system can independently perform navigation and positioning, ensuring the vehicle's continuous driving and accurate navigation.

meanwhile, gyroscope-based navigation systems can be combined with external navigation systems such as GPS to improve overall positioning accuracy and reliability. 

Autonomous Driving:

Gyro-based navigation systems can provide accurate attitude and motion parameters for unmanned vehicles, forming a crucial foundation for autonomous driving. By combining them with other sensors (such as lidar and cameras), unmanned vehicles can achieve even more precise obstacle avoidance, vehicle following, and parking functions. The high precision and real-time performance of gyro-insertion navigation systems enable unmanned vehicles to make quick and accurate decisions and responses in complex and changing traffic environments.

3.  Advantages of Gyro Inertial Navigation Systems

Independence: Gyro Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) do not rely on external signals and can independently perform navigation and positioning in signal-free or signal-limited environments.

High Precision: Through precise measurement and integration, INSs provide highly accurate navigation information.

Real-Time: Gyro Inertial Navigation Systems (INSs) can measure and calculate the attitude and motion parameters of unmanned vehicles in real time, providing real-time decision support for autonomous driving.

Stability: Gyro Inertial Navigation Systems (INSs) offer high stability and reliability, maintaining consistent performance in a variety of environments.

4.  Complementarity with GNSS Systems

In autonomous vehicles, fiber-optic gyroscope inertial navigation systems are often used in conjunction with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). GNSS provides high-precision positioning when satellite signals are strong, but its accuracy degrades significantly in weak signal environments (such as underground garages). While IMUs can accurately locate even in complex environments, they suffer from error accumulation. Combining IMUs with GNSS can complement each other and significantly improve positioning system accuracy.

The application of fiber-optic gyroscope inertial navigation systems in autonomous vehicle navigation, with its high precision, strong autonomy, compact size, and light weight, has become a crucial component of autonomous vehicle navigation systems. With technological advancements, their application in autonomous driving and intelligent transportation will become even more extensive and in-depth.

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