Application study of ultra high frequency modulation of laser radiation for fiber-optic gyroscope noise reduction

Abstract

Microwave photonics is implemented in many applications, including the area of inertial navigation systems based on high-precision fiber-optic gyroscopes. Microwave photonic technologies allow increasing the fiber-optic gyroscope accuracy. This paper investigates and evaluates the effect of ultra high frequency modulation of laser radiation on the closed-loop fiber-optic gyroscope output signal. Research results show that ultra high frequency modulation makes it possible to broaden spectrum width due to redistribution to modulation harmonics of the laser radiation. This approach allows to reduce the standard deviation of the laser-driven fiber-optic gyroscope output signal more than 2.5 times compared to using a laser-driven fiber-optic gyroscope without modulation. In order to achieve the noise level of a laser-driven fiber-optic gyroscope the same as the noise level of a fiber-optic gyroscope with a broadband source, it is necessary to use a broadband noise source with a constant power spectral density and higher output power. This study is useful for understanding how application of microwave photonic technologies can impact on the fiber-optic gyroscope output signal. The obtained results can be used for researchers in this area of study and can facilitate the rapid development of this field.