gyroscope

A gyroscope is a device that exploits the conservation of angular momentum to measure or maintain orientation. It typically contains a rotor spinning rapidly about an axis, mounted in gimbals that allow the axis to rotate freely. When the gyroscope is rotated, the spinning mass resists changes to its orientation, a property that can be used to detect angular velocity or to keep a reference direction.

The underlying principle is that a spinning object with angular momentum resists torque applied perpendicular to its spin axis. If a torque is applied, the gyroscope responds by precessing, causing the spin axis to move in a direction perpendicular to the torque. This behavior makes gyroscopes useful as stable references in navigation and control systems.

Types of gyroscopes range from traditional mechanical devices to modern optical and microelectromechanical variants. Mechanical gyroscopes use a flywheel or rotor with bearings and gimbals. Optical gyroscopes, such as ring laser gyroscopes and fiber optic gyroscopes, rely on the interference or phase shift of light to detect rotation. MEMS gyroscopes use miniature vibrating structures and are common in consumer electronics.

Applications span aerospace, maritime, and consumer technology. They are employed in inertial navigation systems for aircraft and spacecraft, stabilizers for ships and cameras, and attitude control in satellites. In consumer devices, gyroscopes enable orientation sensing in smartphones, tablets, drones, and gaming controllers, often in combination with accelerometers to provide robust motion data.

Limitations include friction and wear in mechanical gyros, drift and bias errors, and sensitivity to vibration. Modern gyroscopes aim for lower noise, better stability, and smaller size through optical and MEMS technologies.