Honeywell International Inc.
SIDEBAND HETERODYNE SWITCHING FOR RESONATOR FIBER OPTIC GYROSCOPES (RFOGS)

Abstract:

Systems and methods for performing SHD switching for RFOGS are provided herein. A system includes a resonator in which light resonates; at least one laser source that produces first and second optical beams; heterodyne modulators that modulate the first and second optical beams at a heterodyne frequency plus a modulation frequency offset to produce multiple sideband optical beams, wherein the modulation frequency offset has a different sign for the first and second optical beams; a frequency switching controller that alternatingly switches the signs of the modulation frequency offset applied to the first and second optical beams, wherein the heterodyne modulation of the first and second optical beams are on average at the heterodyne frequency; at least one coupler that couples the sideband optical beams into the resonator; a feedback control that detects the sideband optical beams transmitted from the resonator and, in response, adjusts frequencies of the optical beams.