The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 28, 1994
Filed:
Jun. 23, 1992
Joseph J Danko, Franklin, MA (US);
Northrop Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A laser gyroscope is provided that utilizes a single frequency shifter, in the form of a Bragg cell, to adjust the frequencies of counter-rotating optical signals in a thin film waveguide to achieve resonance along the optical path encountered by each of the signals. The system also utilizes two voltage to frequency convertors, each of which outputs an RF signal to a respective frequency shifter. Each voltage to frequency convertor is modulated by a modulation signal that includes a DC component and an RF signal. The single frequency shifter approach results in fewer required components for proper operation of the thin film laser gyroscope. Redundant back-up components can be added to the gyroscope to guard against the event of a component failure. Alternately, the laser gyroscope is inherently more tolerable of low fabrication yield because of the redundancies.