A method has been developed to prevent emergency shutdowns of drone navigation
(ORDO NEWS) — Scientists from the NTI Competence Center “Photonics” at Perm State National Research University have come up with a way to prevent the shutdown of drone navigation systems. The development is based on the protection of the elements of fiber-optic gyroscopes from the action of the pyroelectric effect.
The new method eliminates the possibility of system failure due to a sharp temperature drop. In addition to drones, the development will increase the security of quantum communication networks and quantum cryptography.
The results of the study are published in the journal Applied Sciences . “The pyroelectric effect is manifested by sudden changes in temperature in the navigation systems of drones. With such a phenomenon, a loss of the optical signal may occur and all equipment in this case stops working.
We were able to improve the existing method for solving this problem,” says Roman Ponomarev, senior researcher at the NTI Competence Center “Photonics”, head of the Integrated Photonics Laboratory of Perm State National Research University.
In the course of the study, it was found that optical losses increase not at one point of the waveguide, but along its entire length, except for areas near the very edge of the crystal. Due to this process, the signal strength drops by 1000 times, which makes the drones “blind”. At the same time, in some cases, it will take about 45-50 minutes to restore the operation of navigation systems.
However, a specific source, where the optical signal begins to go beyond the waveguide, has not been established. To determine the loss sites, scientists conducted experiments on cooling and gradual heating of six types of FIS. Simultaneously with the change in temperature, the samples were checked on reflectometers, which recorded the points of “leakage” of the optical signal.
“The solution to the problem of the pyroelectric effect in FIS was found long ago. It is necessary to close the polar faces of the crystal, for example, with conductive paste.
Despite this, it is extremely important to know the temperature conditions under which the pyroelectric effect can interfere with the operation of the optical circuit. This knowledge will be relevant when developing new solutions and evaluating their resistance to variable temperatures,” comments Roman Ponomarev.
According to scientists, the new method allows not only to determine the existing places of optical losses, but also to predict dangerous operating modes of navigation systems. In addition to drones, the development will increase the security of quantum communication networks and quantum cryptography.
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