RKS: Wave solid-state gyroscope

2023: Gyroscope development

The wave solid-state gyroscope was developed by specialists of the Scientific Research Institute of Physical Measurements JSC (NIIFI, part of the Russian Space Systems holding of Roscosmos State Corporation) for use in promising systems for the orientation and navigation of objects in space, as well as in the terrestrial spheres - in aviation, robotics, oil and gas production, in other technological industries. This was reported to the RKS on April 13, 2023.

The wave solid-state gyroscope is designed to measure the angular velocities of mobile objects and can be part of the stencil inertial navigation systems (INS). One of the priority areas of application of the device is the orientation, stabilization and control systems of promising spacecraft created for orbital groupings of remote sensing of the Earth and satellite communications.

We initiated the process of developing new inertial components for free-form navigation systems. As a result of the work carried out, a wave solid-state gyroscope was created, which, with significantly smaller dimensions and power consumption, can compete in metrological characteristics with fiber-optic and laser analogues. Work in this direction is actively ongoing. In the near future, it is planned to create a block of sensors for INS, following which the developers expect a significant decrease in mass and dimensions. These are very important factors for spacecraft, where each gram of load and equipment plays a decisive role, said Director General of NIIFI Alexey Novoselov.

The invention is the first of a series of developments that solve an important problem of obtaining high measurement accuracy. Design, circuitry and software-algorithmic solutions implemented in the angular velocity sensors of the NIIFI made it possible to create a system for stabilizing vibration excitation and electromechanical compensation for defects in the gyroscope resonator - these arise during the machining of the part. This made it possible to significantly improve the time stability and drift characteristics of new devices.

Angular velocity sensors for April 2023 are undergoing a final test cycle: the developers intend to confirm the effectiveness of the applied principles. The test results will be used to clarify hardware and software-algorithmic solutions.