High Precision Fiber Optic North Finder for Accurate True North Determination

Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG) North Finder is a high-precision device designed for rapid, autonomous determination of true north. By detecting the Earth’s rotation angular rate through a FOG and resolving it into directional components, the system accurately calculates the azimuth between the gyroscope’s main axis and geographic north.
The unit integrates a fiber optic gyroscope, accelerometer, rotation control mechanism, and embedded computer, forming a compact electromechanical system. With a north-seeking time ≤3 min and accuracy up to 0.3° (1σ), it provides reliable azimuth and attitude information for vehicles, ships, and other mobile platforms.
Operating from -40 °C to +70 °C, powered by DC 12–24 V, and communicating via RS-422, the lightweight (≤2 kg) FOG North Finder ensures fast startup, automatic self-test, and robust north-seeking performance even in harsh environments.

1.1 Overall dimensions

Dimension (mm): 115 × 90 × 110

1.2 Main technical indicators

A) North seeking time: ≤ 3 min;

B) North seeking accuracy (1σ): ≤ 0.3 ° (NF701A); ≤ 0.5 ° (NF701B)

C) Horizontal accuracy: ≤ 0.05 ° (1σ);

D) Circumference: ≤ 0.5 ° (1σ)

E) Weight: ≤ 2 kg;

F) Power supply: DC 12V ~ 24V;

G) Power consumption: 15 W (peak);

H) Interface: RS422

I) Working mode: start automatic self-check after power on, control north seeking by the upper computer, and send north seeking results to the upper computer after north seeking is completed;

1.3 Environmental requirements

1) Working temperature: -40 ℃ ~ + 70 ℃;

2) Storage temperature: -55 ℃ ~ + 85 ℃.

3) Humid and hot environmental conditions: relative humidity is less than 95%.

4) Appearance: The metal surface shall be free of rust, and the coating shall be free of blistering, peeling, etc.

1.4 Electrical performance

Insulation resistance: the insulation resistance between the independent circuits of the fiber optic gyroscope north finder and between the circuit and the shell shall not be less than 10 MΩ under standard atmospheric conditions.

1.5 Reliability and maintainability

MTBF ≥ 1000 hours;

MTTR ≤30min.

1.6 External interface

1.6.1 With DC12 V ~ 24V power input.

1.6.2 With serial port output function.

1.8.3 External plug:

Interface Y50EX-0607TX2, see the table below for pin definition.

Shenzhen Fire Power Control Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer specializing in the production of  electronic products and inertial devices, and providing technical consultation and export services. The company has a strong independent  team. The technical team is composed of many outstanding experts with more than 50 years of comprehensive industry  experience. The company has strong technical strength in the fields of vibration acceleration sensors, MEMS gyro, IMU, INS, angle testing equipment and other products, and is able to provide users with professional design, development, production and services of inertial devices and related simulation software.

Technical Advantages

Firepower technology fully possesses independent design capabilities in vibration acceleration sensors, MEMS gyro, IMU, INS, angle testing equipment and other products.. We have accumulated over ten years of research and development experience in the fields of optical sensing, MEMS sensing, with strong technical strength. We have mastered multiple core technologies including MEMS gyroscope and acceleration chip design, multi-core fusion technology, silicon optical chip technology, optical sensing. With the accumulation of technology, we have the ability to scale up industries and are in a leading position worldwide. Not only can we provide customers with high-performance products, but we can also significantly reduce production costs.

Production Capacity

Firepower has four subsidiaries with production line respectively, which are MEMS inertial product production line, micro-nano integrated inertial production line,vibration acceleration sensor production line and angle test equipment production line. A total investment of 15, 000 square meters has been built for scientific research and production, including 650 square meters 10, 000-class clean rooms that meet national standards, electrical-mounting production lines and environmental testing centers.

With more than ten years development, Firepower has become a high-tech enterprise with high level of craftsmanship and comprehensive products range in China. We have complete production line from chips to finished products after all testing, providing first level products among peers in domestic and over-sea market.

Production Environment

We have built clean rooms, electrical assembly production line, and environmental testing center that comply with the national "Clean Building Design Specification". It has complete precision measuring instruments and testing equipment, angle testing systems, high and  low temperature test chambers, vibration and shock test benches, precision optical indexing heads, functional centrifuges, mechanical testing rooms ,anechoic chambers, multi axis angle test equipment and other instruments and testing equipment to ensure product quality.