Gyroscopic Null-Offset Accelerometer Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-058 Topic Title: Gyroscopic Null-Offset Accelerometer Proposal No.: N081-058-0209 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Applied Technologies Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg.100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Daniel Bock Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for a heave measurement system with low drift, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Gyroscopic Null-Offset Accelerometer (GYNOA). This proposed device is based on a novel Gyroscopic Accelerometer Mount (GAM). The GAM overcomes present accelerometer limitations of heave measurement by a parallel vector transformation that reduces heave accuracy error to <1 mm over 7 days of operation. GYNOA is 50 times more accurate than presently used systems, which offer an accuracy of only 5 cm. GYNOA will feature a system size of 8.0 cm diameter and 10 cm tall, power usage of <1 W, weigh <1.5 kg, and be able to operate either wired or wireless. Initial cost estimates indicate that the system could be sold for as little as $200. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of GYNOA by creating a proof-of-concept device and measuring the displacement of a vehicle in motion and validate the solution when compared to a series of performance metrics. In Phase II POC plans to develop a full prototype capable of measuring heave onboard a ship to show its high accuracy and provide a cost/benefit analysis of GYNOA for transition to Phase III. Benefits: GYNOA will represent an improved motion measurement system that is capable of >1 mm accuracy over long periods of time. The system will be very cost effective and can be mounted into all types of vehicles that could benefit from displacement measurements, including ships, airplanes, cars. It may be possible to use it both for safety measurements, and for inertial navigation when the vehicle on which it is mounted goes into a GPS dark region. Return