Design and Simulation of the Two-Axis Micromachined Angular Rate Sensor

Micromechanical inertia sensors - accelerometers, gyroscopes, multisensor modules and systems based on them - are widely used in navigation, for compensation of other instruments (accelerometers, inclinometers) or stabilization (gyroscopes). The paper presents the designed construction of a MEMS angular rate sensor with two sensitivity axes, topology of gyroscope is presented; modal and static analysis is performed using ANSYS CAD; simulation results of micromechanical gyroscope operation under the action of angular velocities using VHDL-AMS are presented.

Mechatronic Control Devices for a Modern Ship’s Magnetic Compass

One of the disadvantages of existing main magnetic compasses (МС) is the presence in their readings of an error from pitching due to the influence of centripetal and tangential accelerations when the MC is placed at a certain distance from the center rocking of the ship. This error can be unacceptably large, especially when using the compass in high latitude environments. This effect can be compensated by using a gyroscopic angular rate sensor (ARS), which measures the angular yaw rate of the ship. The work is devoted to the results of research and simulation of two correction system, which is introduced into the measuring circuit of the MC. Each of the correction systems presented in this work can be considered as mechatronic control device for a modern MC, one of them is positional, and the other is according to the angular yaw rate of the ship. The paper shows the advantages and disadvantages each of systems. So, a feature of the positional correction system is the need to use ARS of a tactical accuracy class (for example, a fiber-optic gyroscope). At the same time, the yaw rate correction system makes it possible to use a cheap micromechanical gyroscope (MMG). Despite the use ARS of various accuracy classes, both proposed correction systems allow achieving similar results, which leads to an obvious conclusion about the advisability of using the correction system with MMG, which allows to significantly reduce the cost of the MC, as well as to reduce its weight and dimensions.

Angular Rate Sensor Based on a Solid-State Wave Gyroscope with a Metal Resonator for Attitude Control, Stabilization and Navigation Systems

The article describes the methods and test results of a solid-wave gyroscope (SVG) — an angular rate sensor (ARS), developed at the Department of Control Devices, Tula State University and manufactured by the serial plant of JSC "Michurinsky Plant" Progress "according to the technology it worked out. The metal resonator SVG-ARS is made of an elinvar alloy and has a cylindrical structure of different thickness, the lower part of which, with a smaller wall thickness, acts as a suspension for the upper cylinder, the resonator itself, which has a conical shape, providing better vibration localization at its end edge. Technological manufacturing defects, different frequencies and variability, are eliminated by balancing " by mass" based on the removal of excess metal at certain points on the end edge of the resonator. The electronic module provides the second mode of primary and secondary oscillations of the resonator edge arising during rotation and creates a signal to compensate for the Coriolis and quadrature components of the output signal at the nodes. The maximum amplitudes of the excitation and compensation signals do not exceed 10 V. Therefore, at large values of mechanical influences, the compensation circuit may not work out the increased signal and the SVG-ARS loses its operability. The total processing time of the compensation signal does not exceed 1 μs. The maximum power consumption of the electronic module is not more than 4 W. When testing for mechanical and temperature effects, the norms were used that are typical for similar devices (angular rate sensors) used on board aircraft. The tests were carried out on the bench equipment of a specialized enterprise. The stability of the zero signal and the scale factor was determined under the simultaneous action of the measured speed and temperature on the SVG-ARS. The values of the random walk and the instability of the zero signal were obtained from the Allan deviation plots. Their values provide a basis for the conclusion about the possibility of using the developed SVG for several hours on board dynamic aircraft in orientation, stabilization and navigation systems. It was found that SVG-ARS possesses impact strength and restores its measuring ability after impact. Tests for vibration resistance revealed resonance frequencies and frequency rangesin which the tested VTG-DUS sample can be used without significant modification. The results of vibration tests can be used to refine the design and control electronics for the operating conditions of a particular aircraft.