Disk Resonator Gyroscope (DRG) Electronics Optimization

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 and pointing control for the 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) gyros. The recently developed MEMS Disc Resonator Gyro (DRG) has the potential of fulfilling the MDA MEMS gyro requirement. Research associated with the volume manufacturing for the DRG is currently underway by Sensors in Motion (SIM). However, miniaturized, low power, and radiation hardened electronics have not yet been developed for the DRG and ultimately required for satellite applications. ATA proposes to develop miniaturized, radiation hardened electronics for the DRG for realization of MDA’s MEMS gyro needs. High performance DRGs incorporating compact optimized electronics would be used extensively in precision 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. High performance MEMS DRGs would facilitate MDA’s space-borne applications that cannot be fulfilled with current gyro technology, i.e. HRGs, RLGs, FOGs, and DTGs, because of size, weight, power, and cost limitations.