The Results of Estimating the Accuracy of Azimuth Determination by Ring Laser Gyroscopes

This paper describes the results of measurements processing performed using high-accuracy ring laser gyros (RLGs) and the achieved current level of these results try-out with the use of motion table simulators. RLG specimen testing involved implementation of different measurement patterns for azimuth determination on the basis of the specified determination time. Measurement patterns simulated the operation of the following devices: a single-axis measurement instrument with one RLG and one accelerometer being part of a gyrocompass; a two-axis measurement instrument with two RLGs and two accelerometers being part of a gyrocompass (with or without rotation of measurement instrument axes in space); variants of angular orientation systems (AOSs) with one or two rotating frames. The paper presents the results of azimuth determination depending on measurement patterns. These results are presented for normal environmental conditions and in the specified operating temperatures range. On the basis of these test results conclusions are made concerning possible dependence of azimuth determination accuracy on interaction of RLGs being part of a gyrocompass and of AOS with fixed rotations of some elements of a standard SINS structure using a two-axis or a three-axis measurement instrument. The efficiency of azimuth determination with the use of different measurement patterns is compared.