Inertial navigation systems are critical for the measurement of heading and position used for GPS unassisted navigation. Sensors, such as optical gyroscopes, represent the current state-of-the-art in terms of sensitivity and are ubiquitous to most high-performance commercially available navigation systems. With the recent developments in autonomous vehicles, the development of sensors for inertial navigation systems has pushed toward developing high performance sensors able to maintain a low per unit cost. 

In this project, we combine optical interferometry with real-time digital signal processing using field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to develop high performance, low cost fibre optic gyroscopes.  By introducing a layer of digitally controlled optical coherence, we are able to circumvent several technical limits which restrict the development of current optical gyroscopes.

This project works towards developing a commercially viable prototype in conjunction with industry partners. The project can be tailored to be focused on engineering development or towards exploratory aspects of the research area.

Students will require a background in optics. Prior knowledge of fibre optics and/or digital signal processing is useful but not required.