Aug 13 2013
EMCORE Corporation, a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the fiber optics and space solar power markets, announced today the launch of the Multiplexed (MUXed) North Finder/Tracker Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) designed for the next generation of Precision Azimuth Vertical Angle Modules (PAVAMs) used in man-portable and tripod target locator systems.
The EMCORE MUXed North Finder/Tracker FOG will be demonstrated at AUVSI's Unmanned Systems Conference, August 13-15 in booth #1949 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
The MUXed North Finder/Tracker FOG is a three-axis design based on EMCORE's solid-state fiber optic gyro technology that utilizes advanced integrated optics and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) electronics to deliver a much higher level of precision than previous digital magnetic compass-based target locator systems. The MUXed North Finder/Tracker FOG is accurate from 1 to 4 milliradians and has very low power consumption requirements of less than 5 watts. It is compact and lightweight, weighing less than 1 lb. and is insensitive to base motion, making it ideal for use in Target Location Destination Systems (TLDS) that aid targeting and field navigation under adverse battlefield environments.
EMCORE's fiber optic gyro technology is designed for fast, accurate navigation and gyrocompassing, and low noise line-of-sight stabilization. EMCORE develops most of the key FOG components internally including the optical transceiver and the lithium-niobate modulator. This allows the technology to be incorporated very cost-effectively into a final TLDS.
"The ultimate goal of TLDS technology is to improve a Warfighter's effectiveness and survivability with the use of affordable lightweight sensors that reduce weight and increase accuracy," said Dr. K.K. Wong, Director of Fiber Optic Gyro Products for EMCORE. "We continually strive to achieve industry-leading performance in size, weight, power consumption and cost in the development of our fiber optic gyro components to meet the demanding requirements of today's target locator systems."
"EMCORE's research and development in advanced optics for defense and homeland security applications including UAV and missile guidance has paved the way for the adaptation of our FOG technology for north finding and TLDS applications," said Frank Weiss, EMCORE's Vice President of Advanced Systems. "The simplified optics combined with FOG electronics using DSP enables EMCORE to deliver a cost-effective, reliable, high-performance north finding system."
EMCORE's complete line of FOG products will be featured at AUVSI's Unmanned Systems conference, August 13-15 in booth #1949 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.