Fibre optic gyrocompass

A fibre optic gyrocompass is a compass and instrument of navigation. It is often part of a ships set of compasses, which also include a conventional gyrocompass and a magnetic compass.[1]

The fibre optic gyrocompass is a complete unit, which unlike a conventional compass, has no rotating or other moving parts. It uses a series of fibre optic gyroscope sensors and computers to locate north. It has very high reliability and requires little maintenance during its service life.[1] The entire system usually includes a sensor unit, a control and display unit, and an interface and power supply unit. It is often linked with the ship's other navigational devices including GPS.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Seamanship Techniques:Shipboard and Marine Operations, D. J. House, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2004, p. 341