SBIR-STTR Award

Next generation missile interceptor seekers have migrated toward a strap-down seeker configuration, the IMU subsystems for these applications need to perform well under harsher environments, with respect to the gimbaled seeker systems of the past, due to the higher vibration and angular acceleration environments they will experience. The sensor package (IMU/INS) needs to maintain performance in a smaller package in order to address the unique requirements presented by an advanced seeker. Present day Interceptor-class IMU gyroscopes provide corrected angular rate information at up to 2000 hertz, with angular drift rates on the order of 1-3 degrees per hour. Smaller, lightweight, low cost inertial sensors that provide low-latency, corrected angular rate data at 20-30 kHz, with similar or improved angular drift rates are now within reach using a Resonant Micro Optic Gyro (RMOG) based system. In addition to the RMOG, the new IMU will utilize the state of the art in MEMS accelerometers and embedded processors. The advances in high density FPGA devices and their immediate availability will allow for user customizable functions to be incorporated into the IMU/INS device such as Line of Sight Stabilization (LOSS) and control and vehicle Guidance-Navigation & Control (GN&C) functions

A small form factor IMU with the performance capability to meet the requirements of advanced kill vehicle control and line of sight stabilization does not presently exist. The advanced strap down seekers being developed for programs such as MKV Carrier Vehicle, MKC Kill Vehicle and even THAAD potential future enhancements all require an IMU that can be mounted directly to the seeker camera detector platform. A small form factor IMU can be mounted in closer proximity to the seeker camera detector, which is typically an IR focal plane array. Having the IMU in a tightly coupled mount to the detector array allows for the best detector motion compensation due to being able to minimize any differences in motion between the detector and IMU. By producing the gyro component of the small form factor IMU using a resonant micro optic waveguide it is felt that Fiber Optical Gyro (FOG) level performance can eventually be achieved while reducing the volume and mass significantly from FOG solutions. This is primarily due to the resonant waveguide not requiring the lengthy optical path that FOGs must have to achieve the same level of performance.

Keywords:
Advanced Seeker, Micro-Optical Gyro, Micro-Imu, Im