A-TECH CORPORATION — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: High performance angular rate sensors (gyros) with low SWaP, wide operating temperature ra

Description

High performance angular rate sensors (gyros) with low SWaP, wide operating temperature range, and low cost are required to improve tactical IMUs to strategic grade for long-range weapons guidance without GPS. ATA is proposing the Magnetic Sphere Gyro (MSG), a non-MEMS 2-DOF rate gyro based on a spinning magnetic sphere. The MSG is a relatively simple device with minimal parts count yet has the potential for very high performance with low SWaP and cost. Initial analysis of the MSG shows promise of a small, rugged, low power gyro in a relatively small package (~1 in3 MSG volume goal). The MSG has the potential for low cost in volume production due to low parts count and because many of the fundamental MSG components are currently COTS components produced in high volume and at low cost. The Phase I effort will focus on the design, fabrication, and the characterization of the MSG Engineering Development Unit (EDU). The MSG EDU is a critical laboratory experiment unit to demonstrate the MSG physical principles and the MSG concept feasibility to achieve the required IMU improvements. ATA will leverage our inertial device development and IRU/IMU expertise in the development of the MSG and tactical IMUs.