Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) Provides Next Generation Replacement for Mechanical Gyro

LEESBURG VA, August 23, 2005 - Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing has introduced a new highly reliable Fiber-Optic Gyro (FOG) based Rate Sensor Assembly for use in military applications that require platform positioning, stabilized pointing or gun and turret stabilization. Because the new Rate Sensor Assembly (RSA) has no moving parts it is significantly more durable than the failure-prone mechanical gyroscope assemblies it's designed to replace. In addition, the RSA provides exceptional performance for the measurement of precision angular rates.

Curtiss-Wright's RSA is based on a single-axis FOG architecture. The compact assembly, weighing in at less than 1.5 Lbs., is designed to meet or exceed MIL-STD-810E and provides exceptional vibration, shock, and acceleration survivability, with an MTBF rating that exceeds 50,000 hours. The RSA is a form, fit, and function replacement for existing mechanical or higher-cost fiber-optic gyros. In addition to its superior performance, the RSA also offers significant cost savings in comparison to mechanical gyroscope assemblies - the RSA is priced lower than its mechanical counterparts, and because it has no moving parts to wear down, it reduces maintenance and support costs over the lifetime of the product. The assembly provides both analog output and an optional RS Bus UART/Serial Interface.

"Our new fiber-optic based rate sensor delivers multiple advantages over predecessor mechanical gyros," said Darwin Beckel, president of Subsystems Solutions, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing. "With superior performance, greater reliability and lower cost, it's a great solution for designers of gun and turret subsystems."

Key RSA specifications include:
· Input Rate Range: Standard ±60, (Programmable to ± 250 °/sec)
· Scale Factor: Standard 166.7 mV/°/sec (Programmable)
· Scale Factor Accuracy: ± 3%
· Scale Factor Non-linearity: ± 1 %
· Threshold: less than 0.002 °/sec
· Null Bias: less than 0.1 °/sec
· Random Walk: less than 0.2/sqrt Hr
· G Sensitivity: less than 2 °/Hr/Grms
· Second Order Digital Filter Standard: 50 Hz (Programmable 5 to 400 Hz )

Input/Output
· Power: 18-33 Vdc (MIL-STD-1275) Less than 6 watts
· BIT Status Discrete: 0 to 5 Vdc Reports Power On, CBIT results
· Output: ± 10 V differential (Optional UART)

· Operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
· Vibration: Per MIL-STD-810E Cat 8 (Ground Mobile Track Vehicle)

The RSA is ideally suited for a wide range of applications including signal intelligence vehicles, weapons training simulators, and stabilization systems for naval radar and missile defense systems.

About FOG Technology
FOG technology is based on the differential phase shift, called the Sagnac Effect, created by rotating an optical system around which light simultaneously travels clockwise and counterclockwise. The light, derived from a broadband source, is split into two waves of equal intensity. One wave passes through a fiber-optic loop in a clockwise direction, while the other travels in a counterclockwise direction. When the loop is stationary, the beams recombine in phase. Rotation of the loop introduces a phase change that causes variations in light intensity detected by a photodiode and converted into an electrical signal proportional to the rotation rate of the gyroscope.

Inquiries: Please forward all Sales and reader service inquiries to Jerri-Lynne Charbonneau, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Tel: (613) 254-5112; Fax: (613) 599-7777; e-mail: sales@cwcembedded.com.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing
Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing is the industry's most comprehensive and experienced single source for embedded solutions, ranging from Processing, Subsystems, Data Communication, DSP, and Video & Graphics to the most advanced board level components and fully integrated custom systems. The Embedded Computing group serves the defense, aerospace, commercial and industrial markets and is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc. For more information about Curtiss-Wright visit www.cwcembedded.com.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the motion control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). With manufacturing facilities around the world, Curtiss-Wright Controls is a leading technology-based organization providing niche motion control products, subsystems and services internationally for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.

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