An optimal open-loop multimode fiber gyroscope for rate-grade performance applications

We report the realization of a new version of a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG), using low-cost multimode fiber components. This is achieved by an optimal choice of the components such as fiber, coupler, light source and photodetector. The aim behind this work is to demonstrate the versatility of the low-cost multimode FOG for rate-grade performance applications. Both analog signal processing and open-loop operation are used in the proposed FOG experiment. The obtained sensitivity is ∼7°/h and the angle random walk is about 0.087°/h. The influence of the coupler technology on the performances is investigated.

► An optimized multimode fiber optic gyroscope is designed.
► A low-cost analog signal processing associated with an open-loop operation is used.
► The coupler technology influences the gyroscope performances.
► The obtained gyroscope is useful for the medium performance applications.