AP26104843 – Research and application of fiber-optic gyroscopes for the development of a navigation system
Objective of the project – The aim of this project is to investigate the potential of using fiber-optic gyroscopes (VOGs) to enhance modern navigation systems. We will focus on analyzing the principles of GPS operation, its advantages over traditional gyroscopes, and its role in improving navigation accuracy and reliability. We will also explore the possibility of using VOGs in autonomous systems, such as unmanned vehicles. Additionally, we will examine the latest technologies that aim to improve the performance of VOGs.
Relevance: The modern development of the economy and technology requires high-precision navigation and stabilization systems, which are in demand in aviation, space, transportation, and defense sectors. Fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOGs) represent a promising direction, providing compactness, simple design, and high accuracy previously available only to laser gyroscopes (RLGs).
Historically, the development of FOGs has been associated with the long-term improvement of components and technologies, starting from the discovery of the Sagnac effect and the first RLGs in the 1960s to the practical implementation of FOGs by Japanese scientists in the early 1990s. Today, FOGs achieve zero-bias stability of up to 0.001°/h and have potential for further miniaturization, including micro-optical gyroscopes, making them particularly relevant for integration into modern navigation systems.
The global gyroscope market continues to grow actively: in 2019, its value was estimated at USD 2.23 billion and is projected to reach USD 2.9 billion by 2025, with optical gyroscopes accounting for the majority of the market in financial terms.
For Kazakhstan, the development and implementation of FOGs is an important step toward creating a national research and measurement instrument infrastructure, improving navigation accuracy, and ensuring technological independence in key sectors of the economy.
Scientific supervisor: Erlan Tashtay Tashtaev, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor
Expected and achieved results:
The expected outcomes of the project on the development of GPS for navigation systems include both theoretical advancements (analysis and modeling) and practical outcomes (prototype development, testing, and publications). These outcomes will enable the creation of modern fiber-optic gyroscopes with high precision and resistance to external factors, which will be a significant step towards their application in autonomous navigation systems and spacecraft.
It is expected that the results of the study will be published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, which will increase the visibility of the project within the global scientific community. This publication will enhance scientific dialogue and the exchange of knowledge with other researchers in seismology and optics. During the project's implementation from 2024 to 2026, we plan to publish at least two articles or reviews in peer-reviewed publications indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded, included in the firstorsecond quartile by impact factor in Web of Science, and with a CiteScore percentile of at least sixty-five in Scopus. Additionally, we aim to publish at least one article or review in a recommended foreign or domestic journal by COKNVO.
The creation of multifunctional fiber-optic sensors, which can improve the safety of seismological monitoring facilities, is another promising outcome of the project. These sensors will help to collect seismic activity data more accurately and reliably. One doctoral student is also expected to defend his thesis in this field.
Another important aspect of the project is that the research can serve as a foundation for training students and young researchers. This contributes to the development of human resources in the field.
The development and justification of key parameters for gyroscopes specifically designed for high-precision navigation systems have been carried out. Within this work, the main characteristics, such as zero-bias stability and scale factor stability, which critically affect the accuracy of the navigation solution, were determined. Additionally, requirements for angular random walk and the need to ensure a wide dynamic range for adequate performance under high-maneuver conditions were justified. It was established that minimizing sensitivity to external influences, such as temperature and vibration, is a decisive condition for stable system operation. Thus, a complete set of key characteristics has been formed to ensure the specified accuracy and reliability of the navigation system during operation.