TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
ANGULAR DRIFT [1 record]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2012-07-06
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- General Mechanics (Physics)
- Aircraft Piloting and Navigation
- Navigation Instruments
- Flight Instruments and Equipment (Aeroindustry)
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- angular drift
1, record 1, English, angular%20drift
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
... gyros and accelerometers have an offset, known as bias. The gyro bias for instance, shows itself after integration as an angular drift, increasing rise linearly over time (ramp)... To compensate for sensor drift, a process called augmentation is used, whereby gyro and acceleration errors are compensated by utilising other system states. For instance the angular drift error of a gyro after integration can be compensated, if true angular measurements are taken. Comparing the two shows then the gyro drift. Assuming that inertial systems are generally operated around an equilibrium position and thus linear acceleration integrates to zero over time, then attitude can be processed via gravitational acceleration, thus giving true angular measurements to compensate gyro drift. 1, record 1, English, - angular%20drift
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Mécanique générale (Physique)
- Pilotage et navigation aérienne
- Instruments de navigation
- Instruments et équipement de bord (Constructions aéronautiques)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- dérive angulaire
1, record 1, French, d%C3%A9rive%20angulaire
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] il est possible de réaliser des capteurs gyrométriques dont les performances sont caractérisées par une erreur de facteur d'échelle pouvant être inférieure à 10-6, une dérive angulaire de l'ordre de quelques millièmes de degré par heure, pendant quelques heures, un domaine de mesure pouvant dépasser 360 degrés par seconde. Ces caractéristiques ont notamment autorisé la réalisation de navigateurs inertiels (sans plate-forme stabilisée) destinés aux avions civils et militaires ainsi qu'à des lanceurs spatiaux comme Ariane IV et V. 1, record 1, French, - d%C3%A9rive%20angulaire
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: