Gordon F. Rouse

Novel Polarization-Rotating Fiber Resonator For Rotation Sensing Applications

A novel fiber resonator architecture is presented, employing a 90 deg rotation of the polarization within the birefringent fiber ring. In principle, this concept provides a temperature-independent separation of the resonance dips corresponding to the two resonant polarization states in the ring. The technique thus avoids gross thermally driven errors encountered in the use of ordinary polarization-maintaining rings for resonator fiber-optic gyros. Data from an experimental polarization-rotating ring at 1.3 μm wavelength demonstrates greatly improved thermal stability in the presence of typical imperfections of a practical device.

Development of a laser wind and hazard profiler

This paper describes present day wind-measuring and air-data systems, the limitations of these systems, and the formation of a consortium to develop solutions using the laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV). The LDV concept is discussed as well as the issues related to developing such systems. Significant progress towards making practical, reliable, and affordable eye-safe LDV systems is being gained through the many systems built to date and flight tests. The technical goal of this program is to demonstrate that small, low-power, diode pumped, 2 micrometers wavelength, eye-safe coherent LDV systems can be built and flown on both high-performance military fighter aircraft and advanced military attack helicopters. An industry-government consortium will develop LDV systems with the name Laser Wind and Hazard Profiler.

A multi-sensor approach to airport surface traffic tracking

A dual sensor system using a large number of inexpensive short range sensors can act as a valuable adjunct to surface surveillance radars, as well as provide a low cost tracking system for non-radar equipped airports. A measurement program was conducted to collect data on magnetic and infrared signatures of aircraft and other vehicles on airport surfaces. The data indicates that short range sensors can provide detection and tracking of vehicles, and may be able to perform some classification function.<<ETX>>

Solid state magnetic azimuth sensor for small satellites

The Earths magnetic field can provide attitude reference for satellites. Because of the nature of the terrestrial magnetic field, magnetic sensing is primarily used to sense azimuth, with a horizon sensor providing reference in the other two axes. The magnetometer azimuth sensor is small, light, and inexpensive. A new solid-state magnetometer based on magnetoresistive techniques can provide azimuth determination with an accuracy equal to existing techniques. It has even more favorable advantages, however, in size, weight, power consumption, and cost compared to conventional techniques. A magnetic azimuth sensing system based on this magnetometer should provide azimuth information to about 0.5 degrees, a limit imposed by uncertainties in the Earths field rather than limitation in sensitivity of the solid-state sensor.