DRG/ARS Single-Axis Sensor (DASS)

Proposed Missile Defense Agency (MDA) systems, such as the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS), require high precision gyroscopes for high-resolution Line of Sight (LOS) stabilization, inertial attitude knowledge (IAK), and other high accuracy, space-based acquisition, pointing and tracking (APT) systems. To achieve these mission objectives, MDA is very interested in the development of compact, high performance, space qualified micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) gyro products. The MEMS Disc Resonator Gyro (DRG) being developed has the potential of fulfilling the MDA MEMS gyro requirements when combined with a high frequency angular rate sensor. ATA proposes to develop a hybrid sensor, referred to as the DRG/ARS Single-Axis Sensor (DASS), based on the fusion of the DRG with Applied Technology Associates Magneto-hydrodynamic Angular Rate Sensor (MHD ARS). The DASS development will produce a high accuracy, high bandwidth inertial rate sensor that incorporates miniaturized, radiation hardened electronics to fulfill MDA’s need for a compact, low power, and potentially low cost gyro solution. The DASS can be used for single axis applications or integrated into multiaxis Inertial Reference Units (IRUs) and Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) with the advantage of much smaller size and weight, less power, and also less cost due to the mass production implications of MEMS devices in general. The DASS is expected to enable MDA’s space-borne applications that cannot be fulfilled with current gyro technology, i.e., HRGs, RLGs, FOGs, and DTGs, due to size, weight, power, and cost limitations.