A depolarized fiber optic gyroscope (DFOG) prototype with closed-loop configuration, sinusoidal-bias, and serrodyne-feedback electrooptic phase modulations was designed. A complete optoelectronic design is realized by using computational simulation tools (optical subsystem: Synopsys ® -Optsim™ software and electronic subsystem: National Instruments ® -MultiSim™ software). The design presented here includes both optical and electronic circuits, being the main innovation, is the use of an analogical integrator provided with reset and placed in the feedback of the electrooptic phase-modulation chain that produces a serrodyne-shaped voltage ramp signal for obtaining the interferometric signal phase cancellation. The performance obtained for this model (threshold sensitivity ≤0.052 /h; dynamic range = AE 78.19 /s) does reach the IFOG intermediate grade (tactical and industrial applications) and does demonstrate the suitability and reliability of simulation-based software tools for this kind of optoelectronic design.

In this chapter, theoretical analysis and electro-optical characterization of a fiber optic passive ring resonator interferometer (FOPRRI) were realized. First, a theoretical description and analysis of all-pass and add-drop filter configurations were performed, hence obtaining their respective transfer function, taking into account, the physical properties of a standard single-mode optical fiber as resonator constitutive material. Second, computational numerical simulations of a typical FOPRRI were performed with different analysis methods: effective index method (EIM), coupled mode theory (CMT), finite element method (FEM) and finite difference time domain (FDTD). Third, a comparative analysis of the results obtained with these methods is realized, showing the most accurate and appropriate for filter electro-optical characterization as a consequence. Last, and as an ultimate step, taking as reference the previously obtained electro-optical characterization for both configurations, the main applications are derived.

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In this revision work, firstly classical structure and main performance parameters of interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope (IFOG) and integrated optics passive resonator gyroscope (IORG) are reviewed. Then, the main advanced models and performance parameters of these two types of rotation-rate inertial sensors are described, and finally the design trends of both types are analyzed. Taking as reference the performance parameters analyzed above, a comparative analysis between manufactured IFOG and IORG units of close geometrical dimensions is realized. This analysis leads ranking these devices into six classical levels of inertial performance: strategic grade, navigation grade, high-end tactical grade, tactical grade, industrial low-end tactical grade, and consumer grade. This classification allows to deduce the main application areas of both kinds of devices. This way, the impact of these sensors in applications such as aeronautics, aerospace navigation, mechanical micro-fabrication, tactical weapons, or, more recently, robotics can be disclosed.

Optical phase-modulation technique is a very powerful tool used in a wide variety of high performance photonic systems. Fiber-optic sensors and gyroscopes, integrated-optics sensors, or high-performance photonic integrated circuits are some examples of photonic systems where the optical phase-modulation technique can be efficiently applied. In time, such a photonic system can be integrated as the core part of some specific applications like biosensors, 5G advanced optical communication devices, gyroscopes, or high-performance computation devices. In this work, the main optical phase-modulation techniques are analyzed. Also, a study of the most significant applications of this technique is made, relating it to the most appropriate type in each case.