CAMERA STABILIZATION

Camera Stabilization

When it comes to drones, handheld gimbals, and professional cinematography equipment, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOGs) play a crucial role in general camera stabilization. But when critical and military camera stabilization is required, a high-level of FOG IMUs is essential especially in dynamic tactical environments where motion or vibration can degrade visual quality or accuracy.

An IMU is a sensor combining accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure linear acceleration and angular velocity along multiple axes. The IMU detects unintended movements, such as shakes, tilts, or vibrations, and sends this data to a stabilization controller. Micro-Electra-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based gyroscopes are commonly used in compact cameras and drones to provide real-time angular rate information with high responsiveness and low power consumption.

FOGs use the interference of light traveling through coiled optical fibers to detect rotation. Unlike MEMS, FOGs have greater precision, lower drift, and higher stability over time – making them ideal for systems requiring extremely smooth stabilization over long durations or in environments with rapid or high-amplitude motion.

FOG and IMU-based stabilization systems are often combined with additional sensors, such as GPS or visual tracking modules, to further enhance precision and responsiveness. Together, these technologies allow cameras to achieve unprecedented stability, enabling cinematic shots, aerial surveillance, and mobile videography that would otherwise be impossible.

EMCORE manufactures Quartz Micro-Electro Mechanical System (QMEMS) gyroscopes which are superior to silicon-based MEMS, and are much more stable and accurate.

EMCORE’s QMEMS technology used in our SDG-1400 and QRS-116 inertial gyros, and SDI-500 Tactical IMU, and EMCORE’s Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) technologies used in our TAC-450 Series IMUs, and EMCORE-HawkeyeTM Series FOGs and EN-300 FOG IMU exhibit these characteristics, making them ideal solutions for a wide variety of camera stabilization applications. EMCORE equipment is utilized in the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS) in the Predator UAV targeting ball.