# Rate gyro

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A combination indicator, turn coordinator and rate gyro.

A **rate gyro** is a type of [gyroscope](/source/Gyroscope), which rather than indicating direction, indicates the rate of change of angle with time. If a gyro has only one gimbal ring, with consequently only one plane of freedom, it can be adapted for use as a rate gyro to measure a rate of angular movement.

Rate gyros are used in [rate integrating gyroscopes](/source/Rate_integrating_gyroscope), and in [attitude control systems](/source/Attitude_control_system) for vehicles, and in combination with other sensors to make [inertial navigation systems](/source/Inertial_navigation_system).

The advantage of rate gyros over other types of gyros is the fast response rate and their relatively low cost.

## Principles

### Spinning

The traditional type of rate gyro employs relatively conventional gyroscopes with viscous couplings to transfer the spin rate to allow it to be read.[1][2]

### Vibrating structure gyroscope

Main article: [Vibrating structure gyroscope](/source/Vibrating_structure_gyroscope)

[MEMS](/source/MEMS) gyros are cheap and have no moving parts.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] They often work by sonic resonance effects driven by [piezoelectric](/source/Piezoelectric) transducers, that provide a signal when a rotation occurs.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [US Dynamics Rate Gyroscope Technical Brief](http://usdynamicscorp.com/literature/general/AN-001%20USD%20Rate%20Gyroscope.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Spinning Mass Rate Gyroscopes](http://usdynamicscorp.com/literature/general/475_series.pdf)

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