Photonics Sensing Systems

ASSIGNMENT-4
Modelling a fibre optic gyroscope
A fibre optic gyroscope is made using a Sagnac interferometer architecture. It consists of a lightsource
at 1550 nm, a 2x2 coupler, photodetector with responsivity of 1 V/mW and an optical fibre coil for
making the rotation measurement. The fibre coil has a length of 1 km, and is wound with a radius of
10 cm. The fibre has a refractive index of 1.5.

The system will be designed to measure the rotation of an oscillatory motor which spins forward and
backward. The motor rotation angle is given by the function:
𝜋𝜋
𝜃𝜃 = sin(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑡𝑡)
64𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
Where f_rot is the rotation frequency, which we will initially set to 1 kHz. The goal of this assignment
is to simulate the detection and measurement of this signal using a fibre optic gyroscope, evaluated
using a numerical simulation in MATLAB or similar software. In your solutions, please include
diagrams, equations, and plots as required to explain your answers to these questions.

a. Start your simulation by generating a time vector. This is the duration over which your simulation
will be conducted. Use a sampling rate of 20 MHz and a simulation duration of 3 ms. Plot the
rotation angle, 𝜃𝜃 and the rotation rate, Ω as a function of time for the default rotation frequency
(f_rot) of 1 kHz. (2 marks)
b. Determine the Sagnac phase shift associated with the rotation of the motor and plot this as a function
of time. Using your understanding of two beam interferometers, evaluate the voltage detected at the
photodetector. Consider the symmetric (bright) port of the interferometer for this measurement. Plot
this as a function of time. (3 marks)
c. Using an FFT, plot the frequency domain of both the Sagnac phase shift, and the measured
photodetector output. Using the time-domain simulation from b) and the frequency domain
simulation, discuss how the Sagnac phase shift and measured photodetector output compare. Explain
any differences. (5 marks)
d. Now consider including an electro-optic modulator which is placed at the clockwise input to the
fibre coil. In the absence of rotation, analytically evaluate the phase difference between the
clockwise and counterclockwise fields when the modulator applies an arbitrary phase modulation:
𝜙𝜙(𝑡𝑡). (Remember to consider where the modulator is placed in the system) (5 marks)
e. Now, numerically evaluate the phase shift between the CW and CCW beams (without rotation), and
the voltage measured at the photodetector output. For this, substitute the phase modulation term
from before with the expression: 𝜙𝜙(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑧𝑧 sin(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓𝑚𝑚 𝑡𝑡), where f_m is the modulation frequency, and
z is the modulation depth. Start with a modulation frequency of 1 kHz and depth of 𝜋𝜋/4. How does
changing the modulation frequency affect the photodetector output? Can you explain why it is
frequency dependent? (5 marks)
f. Numerically simulate a single frequency tone to act as the LO for a lock-in at the modulation
frequency 𝑓𝑓𝑚𝑚 . Use an amplitude of ±1𝑉𝑉. Numerically evaluate the mixed output of the
photodetector and the LO voltages. Plot all three in the frequency domain and explain the purpose of
the demodulation process. Repeat with the phase shift due to rotation included in the simulation.
(6 marks)
g. Apply a low pass filter to the mixed output to remove higher harmonics. Plot this alongside the
rotation rate and determine any differences. Describe and demonstrate what occurs when the size of
the rotation is increased. (4 marks)

Due by 11:59 on Sunday, 8th Oct 2023

(30 marks)