Comparison of Direct and Indirect Stabilization Methods for Gyro Stabilized Gimbal Systems

Abstract

Gyro-stabilized gimbal systems are utilized in many engineering applications. In this study, the effect of direct and indirect stabilization methods as applies to gimbal systems are examined in terms of stabilization accuracy, in a simulation environment. In the direct stabilization method, the gyro sensor, which is used as a rate loop feedback for measuring the inertial rate, is mounted on the line of sight axis. In the indirect stabilization method, on the other hand, the gyro sensor is mounted at the base of the gimbal, so there is no gyro sensor on the line of sight axis. In this study, the stabilization performances that are obtained as simulation results through the application of various stabilization methods are compared. The resulting observations establish the direct stabilization method as the one that has a higher stabilization performance compared to the indirect stabilization method.