Airbus Defence and Space is contributing to Europe’s MERMIG project which will use the very latest advances in nanotechnology to create an optical micro-gyroscope prototype with significantly reduced dimensions.
The aim of the MERMIG project (Modular CMOS Photonic Integrated Micro-Gyroscope) is to build an optical micro-gyroscope prototype based on the latest innovations in nanotechnology, more specifically silicon nanophotonics. Taking advantage of the proposed technological breakthroughs to achieve significantly reduced dimensions, the main sensor specifications are as follows:
- Volume: < 5 cm3 - Power consumption: < 5 W - ARW (gyro noise measurement): < 0.1°/h0.5 - Bias stability: < 1°/h - Scale factor error: < 500 ppm MERMIG system overviewThis technology-intensive project has achieved significant advances in the modelling of guided-wave optical components, which are at the heart of the technology. A complete multiphysics approach to silicon optical nanostructure, considering non-linear optics, thermal and stress effects, was carried out to outline the fundamental design rules and achieve an efficient gyrochip, able to meet industrial needs.
A specific gyro chip packaging process has been developed, with specific attention paid to the optical feedthrough and thermal dissipation, in order to assure the gyrochip’s performance over the lifetime of a space mission.
The seven European project partners* have designed, built and integrated the different modules (Laser, Gyro Chip and Readout modules) in a first breadboard.
Such technology enables the development of a new line of micro-gyroscopes capable of withstanding the harsh environments of telecommunications missions in geostationary orbit, as well as the mass constraints typical of rovers used in robotic exploration.
MERMIG was supported by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7 - Space).
For more information, visit www.mermig-space.eu/
*Constelex Technology Enablers (Greece), Airbus Defence and Space (France), DAS Photonics (Spain), Modulight (Finland), IHP Microelectronics (Germany), the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) and the Polytechnic University of Bari (Italy)
(left) detail of silicon photonic gyro cavity and (right) detail of silicon photonic coupler element
Silicon wafer containing MERMIG silicon photonic integrated circuit
Packaged MERMIG gyrochip