Mechatronic Control Devices for a Modern Ship’s Magnetic Compass

Abstract

One of the disadvantages of existing main magnetic compasses (МС) is the presence in their readings of an error from pitching due to the influence of centripetal and tangential accelerations when the MC is placed at a certain distance from the center rocking of the ship. This error can be unacceptably large, especially when using the compass in high latitude environments. This effect can be compensated by using a gyroscopic angular rate sensor (ARS), which measures the angular yaw rate of the ship. The work is devoted to the results of research and simulation of two correction system, which is introduced into the measuring circuit of the MC. Each of the correction systems presented in this work can be considered as mechatronic control device for a modern MC, one of them is positional, and the other is according to the angular yaw rate of the ship. The paper shows the advantages and disadvantages each of systems. So, a feature of the positional correction system is the need to use ARS of a tactical accuracy class (for example, a fiber-optic gyroscope). At the same time, the yaw rate correction system makes it possible to use a cheap micromechanical gyroscope (MMG). Despite the use ARS of various accuracy classes, both proposed correction systems allow achieving similar results, which leads to an obvious conclusion about the advisability of using the correction system with MMG, which allows to significantly reduce the cost of the MC, as well as to reduce its weight and dimensions.