The DREO (Defence Research Establishment Ottawa) Inertial Navigation Laboratory: Development and Test Capabilities

The DREO Inertial Navigation Laboratory was developed between 1977 and 1981 as the only complete gyroscope, accelerometer and inertial system test laboratory for the evaluation of strapdown components and systems in Canada. With the aid of a consultant, the laboratory was designed for maximum flexibility; virtually any type of gyroscope can be excited and tested with existing test equipment. The purpose of such a laboratory is twofold; primarily it provides a test facility for the evaluation of manufacturer's navigation components before procurement of systems but as well it is a flexible, independent facility for experimentation, research and development. More specifically, work within the laboratory has centered upon investigation and characterization of low cost strapdown inertial navigation components ans systems. Strapdown technology holds the promise of low cost, long lifetime and ease of maintenance with the mechanical complexity of the traditional gimballed systems being replaced by software computation. Testing of strapdown gyroscopes is quite different from that of gyroscopes employed on gimballed platforms; a strapdown gyroscope must operate over the entire dynamic range of the vehicle within which it is mounted including not only the possibility of high angular rates but alos severe vibration and shock. This report details the development, equipment types and specifications, data acquisition capabilities and tests that can be performed in the DREO Inertial Navigation Laboratory. Additional keywords: Canada; Specifications.