Optical Inertial Reference Unit (OIRU)
Optical Inertial Reference Unit (OIRU)
BlueHalo’s OIRUs provide an inertially stabilized collimated optical beam with extremely low residual jitter when subject to typical ground, sea, air, or space vibration environments. Our custom products have advanced inertial sensors with low cross-axis and linear vibration sensitivity.
More about our OIRUs
Optical Inertial Reference Units (OIRUs) are at the heart of modern Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing (ATP) systems, and BlueHalo has over 30 years’ experience solving the most challenging ATP problems through hardware and controls innovations. BlueHalo develops and implements enabling component and system technology for both air and space programs such as the Airborne Laser, the Wide-Band Angular Vibration Experiment, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, Advanced Land Observing Satellite, and the Mars Laser Communications Demonstration. BlueHalo’s unique combination of practical experience and patented component technologies enables us to build custom, high-performing OIRUs for our customers.
BlueHalo continues to advance and add features to our OIRUs, including:
- Space-Qualifiable Design
- Pyramid Sensor Head Allows Sensing in 3-Axis
- Built-in Redundancy
- Integrated Electronics
- Flexible Processing Architecture
- Optional High-Precision Gyros for a Broad Bandwidth Solution (DC-1000 Hz)
OIRU Benefits
One of the immediate applications of this technology is in the context of an OIRU for laser communication. In this application, the OIRU provides an optical reference beam (lase) for use as a precisely controlled “virtual star” that enables precise pointing and stabilization of the communication beam to be received at the opposite terminal of the transmit/receive link. BlueHalo recognizes the versatility of an OIRU and continues to identify additional applications that benefit from a precise, small, and low-cost OIRU, including:
- Precise Pointing and Stabilization of Large Aperture Passive and Active Imagers
- Precise Autonomous Control of Position and Attitude Control of Spacecraft
- Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing of Laser Systems for Target Blinding and/or Destruction
- Target Designation and Geolocation Systems Operating from Aircraft, High-Altitude Airships, Helicopters, and UAVs
Contact Us
Want to learn more about our Optical Inertial Reference Unit (OIRU)? We look forward to hearing from you.