Fiber-Optic Gyrocompass& Attitude Reference System
NAVIGAT 2100 is Sperry Marine's unique Fiber Optic Gyrocompass and Attitude Reference System in digital, solid-state, fully electronic, strapdown technology for marine navigation and control applications.
This state-of-the-art product was also designed for high-speed, fast-maneuver vessels, and its compact size makes it ideal for integrated bridge applications.
The fundamental principle of the fiber-optic gyrocompass is the invariance of the speed of light and the so-called Sagnac effect. Here, a fiber-optic coil is used as a very sensitive rate sensor, which is capable of measuring the speed of rotation of the earth. A combination of three such fiber-optic coils (also called fiber-optic gyroscopes) and a dual-axis electronic level sensor can be used to determine the direction of true north. From the three rate-of-turn signals (about x, y and z axes) and the information from the electronic level sensor, a complex Kalman filter computes the direction of the rotation of the earth from which geographical north is derived.
Designed in strapdown technology, the fiber-optic gyrocompass is attached directly to the vessel, eliminating the use of a gimbal system. This arrangement supplies heading information and also roll, pitch and rate of turn about all three axes (x, y and z).
The fiber-optic gyrocompass can also be used as a sensor for ship stabilizer systems, not only on merchant marine vessels but also on hydrofoils and catamarans. The extremely short settling time of only 30 minutes is of great advantage for fast ferries.
The very high dynamic accuracy in all conditions at all latitudes coupled with the absence of any north speed error much increases the safety of all vessels, particularly so on high-speed craft at high latitudes during frequent maneuvers at high speed.
The fiber-optic gyrocompass is a complete solid-state design with no rotating or other moving parts. It has high reliability (MTBF) and is maintenance-free during its service life.
In addition to the sensor unit, a basic NAVIGAT 2100 system comprises a control and display unit and an interface and power supply unit. Analogue and digital repeaters and other peripheral equipment are supplied with output data through serial interfaces.
It is also possible to expand the system by adding a NAVITWIN IV Heading Management System with a second gyrocompass (NAVIGAT 2100 or NAVIGAT X MK 1) and / or a transmitting magnetic compass system (TMC).
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Fiber-Optic Sensor Unit
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