Technology

Gyroscope allows navigation without GPS

24 March 2020

The inexpensive but inaccurate gyroscopes used in mobile phones might be replaced with a highly precise instrument developed at the University of Michigan. Reportedly 10,000 times more accurate and only 10 times more costly than devices currently deployed, the new gyroscope could also improve low-cost inertial navigation The new resonator and electrodes, on a finger for scale. Source: Najafi Group, University of MichiganThe new resonator and electrodes, on a finger for scale. Source: Najafi Group, University of Michiganby drones and autonomous vehicles.

The nearly symmetrical mechanical resonator forming the core of the smaller gyroscope is assembled from a nearly perfect sheet of fused-silica glass about a quarter of a millimeter thick. Under heat from a blowtorch, the glass is molded into a "birdbath" resonator shape reminiscent of an upside-down birdbath.

A metallic coating is added to the shell and electrodes placed around the glass resonator push and pull on the glass, making it ring and keeping it operating. The resulting vibrating motion moves through the glass and signals when, how fast and by how much the gyroscope spins in space. The postage stamp-sized device is encased in a vacuum package to prevent air from quickly damping out the vibrations.

The high-performance instrument could also be used by the military in areas where GPS signals have been jammed, or to enhance indoor navigation for warehouse robots.

To contact the author of this article, email shimmelstein@globalspec.com


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