Immune to electromagnetic interference, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optical sensors are multiplexable, highly sensitive
to minute strains, and can facilitate maximum smart structure functionality, with minimum weight and size. In
conjunction with advanced damage characterization algorithms, FBG sensor systems are expected to play an increasing
role in extending the life and reducing costs of new generations of civil, mechanical and aerospace systems. In this
paper, we discuss the development of fast parallel processing FBG interrogation systems. Comparison with other
structural health monitoring systems demonstrates better signal-to-noise, high-speed multi-sensor support and damage
detection potential.
Fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBGs) have gained rapid acceptance in aerospace and automotive structural health
monitoring applications for the measurement of strain, stress, vibration, acoustics, acceleration, pressure, temperature,
moisture, and corrosion distributed at multiple locations within the structure using a single fiber element. The most
prominent advantages of FBGs are: small size and light weight, multiple FBG transducers on a single fiber, and
immunity to radio frequency interference. A major disadvantage of FBG technology is that conventional state-of-the-art
fiber Bragg grating interrogation systems are typically bulky and heavy bench top instruments that are assembled from
off-the-shelf fiber optic and optical components integrated with a signal electronics board into an instrument console.
Based on the need for a compact FBG interrogation system, this paper describes recent progress towards the
development of a miniature fiber Bragg grating sensor interrogator (FBG-TransceiverTM) system based on multi-channel
integrated optic sensor (InOSense) microchip technology. The hybrid InOSense microchip technology enables the
integration of all of the functionalities, both passive and active, of conventional bench top FBG sensor interrogators
systems, packaged in a miniaturized, low power operation, 2-cm x 5-cm small form factor (SFF) package suitable for the
long-term structural health monitoring in applications where size, weight, and power are critical for operation. The
sponsor of this program is NAVAIR under a DOD SBIR contract.
An effort to develop a miniaturized multichannel optical fiber Bragg grating sensor interrogator was initiated in 2006 under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. The goal was to develop an interrogator that would be sufficiently small and light to be incorporated into a health monitoring system for use on tactical missiles. Two companies, Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems Corporation (IFOS) and Redondo Optics, were funded in Phase I, and this paper describes the prototype interrogators that were developed. The two companies took very different approaches: IFOS focused on developing a unit that would have a high channel count and high resolution, using off-the-shelf components, while Redondo Optics chose to develop a unit that would be very small and lightweight, using custom designed integrated optical chips. It is believed that both approaches will result in interrogators that will be significantly small, lighter, and possibly even more precise than what is currently commercially available. This paper will also briefly describe some of the sensing concepts that may be used to interrogate the health of the solid rocket motors used in many missile systems. The sponsor of this program was NAVAIR PMA 280.
This paper describes recent progress conducted towards the development of a miniature fiber Bragg grating sensor
interrogator (FBG-TransceiverTM) system based on multi-channel integrated optic sensor (InOSenseTM) microchip
technology. The hybrid InOSenseTM microchip technology enables the integration of all of the functionalities, both
passive and active, of conventional bench top FBG sensor interrogator systems, packaged in a miniaturized, low power
operation, 2-cm x 5-cm package suitable for the long-term structural health monitoring in applications where size,
weight, and power are critical for operation. The FBG-Transceiver system uses active optoelectronic components
monolithically integrated to the InOSenseTM microchip, a microprocessor controlled signal processing electronics board
capable of processing the FBG sensors signals related to stress-strain and temperature as well as vibration and acoustics.
The FBG-TransceiverTM system represents a new, reliable, highly robust technology that can be used to accurately
monitor the status of an array of distributed fiber optic Bragg grating sensors installed in critical infrastructures. Its
miniature package, low power operation, and state-of-the-art data communications architecture, all at a very affordable
price makes it a very attractive solution for a large number of SHM/NDI applications in aerospace, naval and maritime
industry, civil structures like bridges, buildings and dams, the oil and chemical industry, and for homeland security
applications. The miniature, cost-efficient FBG-TransceiverTM system is poised to revolutionize the field of structural
health monitoring and nondestructive inspection market. The sponsor of this program is NAVAIR under a DOD SBIR
contract.
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