Multiplexed interferometric fiber-optic sensors with digital signal processing

A microcontroller-based digital signal processing system developed for use with fiber-optic sensors for measuring pressure in internal combustion engines is described. A single distributed feedback laser source provides optical power for four interferometric sensors. The laser current is repetitively modulated so that its optical frequency is nearly a linear function of time over most of a cycle. The interferometer phase shift is proportional to the elapsed time from the initiation of a sawtooth until the sensor output signal level crosses a threshold value proportional to the laser output power. This elapsed time, assumed to vary linearly with the combustion chamber pressure, is determined by the use of a digital timer-counter. The system has been used with fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer transducers for in-cylinder pressure measurement on a four-cylinder gasoline-powered engine.     

Cross-talk analysis of time-division multiplexing of polarization-insensitive fiber-optic Michelson interferometric sensors with a 3 x 3 directional coupler

A time division multiplexing of polarization-insensitive fiber-optic Michelson interferometric sensors (TDM-PIMI's) with a 3 x 3 directional coupler is presented. The elimination of polarization-induced fading and the output intensities of the TDM-PIMI system are described and demonstrated. The output intensity of each sensor of the system can be demodulated by a passive homodyne method to increase the sensor bandwidth significantly. The sensor cross talk of the system having an optical gate with a finite extinction ratio is analyzed. The use of a laser source with an adequate coherence length to reduce the sensor cross talk is suggested. The delay-fiber cross talk of the system by Rayleigh backscattering is analyzed and demonstrated. We further suggest some methods that could possibly reduce the effect of the Rayleigh backscattered light. Finally a sophisticated design of a TDM-PIMI system with a 3 x 3 directional coupler is described.     

Damage monitoring of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics with Michelson interferometric fiber-optic sensors

This paper presents the application of a Michelson interferometric fiber-optic sensor for monitoring the damage of fiber-reinforced plastics. A Michelson interferometric fiber-optic sensor was mounted on the surface of unidirectionally aligned carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Response of the interference signal to either dynamic or static loading was investigated. Specimen being impacted, the optical interference signal dropped suddenly and then oscillated. The tensile test was performed with the measurement of optical interference signal, strain as well as acoustic emission. Both fast Fourier transform and digital filter processing of the optical interference signal were carried out to characterize the damage signal from the fiber-optic sensor. The optical interference signal whose frequency ranged from tens to hundreds Hz occurred when the specimen was damaged. It was shown that real-time information comparable to acoustic emission (AE) data could be obtained from Michelson interferometric fiber-optic sensor through a digital filtering technique. The Michelson interferometric fiber-optic sensor proved to be effective for monitoring the damage processes of the material studied.     

Methods of electronic signal processing in fiber-optic phase sensors

Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 1, pp. 31–33, January, 1992.     

Experimental investigation of an optically amplified time-division-multiplexed polarization-insensitive fiber-optic michelson interferometric sensor system

We experimentally investigate optically amplified time-division-multiplexed polarization-insensitive fiber-optic Michelson interferometric (PIFOMI) sensor systems, using an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) and a phase-generated carrier (PGC) demodulation technique. The influence of the EDFA on the extinction ratio (ER) of the light pulse and on the minimum phase-detection sensitivity (MPDS) is examined. We find that the EDFA acting as a preamplifier has limited usefulness because the highly amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise generated by the EDFA degrades the ER and the MPDS. However, both postamplifiers and in-line EDFA's can work successfully. The MPDS of the unamplified time-division-multiplexed PIFOMI system with an ER of 33 dB was 2.4 x 10(-5) rad/(Hz)(1/2) at ~1 kHz. For maintaining a MPDS of better than 3.4 x 10(-5) rad/(Hz)(1/2) at ~1 kHz, the worst ER's for the postamplified and in-line amplified systems were 20 and 17.8 dB, respectively. The corresponding input signal peak power should be larger than -20 and -25 dBm for the postamplifiers and in-line amplifiers, respectively. When two postamplifiers and two in-line amplifiers are used, an allowable sensor system loss of 47 dB and a link length of the input-output lead fiber of 108 km can be realized for this system with a 32-sensor array. Implementation of optically amplified time-division-multiplexed and wavelength-division multiplexed-time-division multiplexed PIFOMI subarray sensor systems are also addressed.     

Large-scale remotely interrogated arrays of fiber-optic interferometric sensors for underwater acoustic applications

The fiber-optic interferometric acoustic sensor array has established itself as a potential alternative to the conventional sonar array based on electroceramic transducers. In this paper, we discuss all the aspects of a large-scale fiber-optic interferometric sensor array. We review the basic operating principles of the fiber-optic interferometric sensor, signal processing, and multiplexing techniques, we present results from a noise model for a full size system, and we determine the benefit of incorporating a remotely-pumped optical amplifier in the array. As a practical example we describe the design and construction of a prototype array with 96 hydrophones incorporating a remotely pumped erbium-doped fiber amplifier, called the fiber-optic bottom mounted array, which is based on a dense wavelength division and time division multiplexed architecture. These arrays have applications in military sonar and seismic surveying.     

Analysis of a high-speed fiber-optic spectrometer for fiber-optic sensor signal processing

A novel high-speed fiber-optic spectrometer has been demonstrated in our previous work. The high-speed spectrum measurement is enabled by translating the spectral-domain signal into a time-domain signal through a dispersion element. We present a mathematical model that accurately describes the relationship between the optical spectrum to be measured and the dispersed time-domain signal. Based on the model, the effects of the key parameters on the performance of the spectrometer are investigated in detail using numerical simulation. The analysis is useful for the design and application of such spectrometers.     

Investigation of interferometric noise in fiber-optic gas sensors with use of wavelength modulation spectroscopy

We report on interferometric noise limitation of fiber-optic gas sensors with highly coherent lasers and wavelength modulation spectroscopy. Interference between signal wave and reflected waves causes signal fluctuation in the output, which limits the performance of the sensing system. Sensor resolution limited by interferometric noise is calculated for a fiber-optic gas sensor with the Q(6) absorption line of methane gas at approximately 1650 nm. The results are useful for system designers of this particular type of gas sensor.     

Investigation of interferometric noise in fiber-optic bragg grating sensors by use of tunable laser sources

Interferometric noise in fiber-optic grating sensors isinvestigated. Interference between a signal wave and reflectedwaves causes signal fluctuation in the output that limits thewavelength detection accuracy of the sensing system. Themeasurement error limited by interferometric noise is calculated forboth reflective-type and transmission-type sensors.     

Design of a fiber-optic quasi-distributed strain sensors ring network based on a white-light interferometric multiplexing technique

A fiber-optic quasi-distributed strain sensors ring network has been designed based on a Mach-Zehnder optical paths interrogator. The optical paths matching for each sensor are discussed, and the optical power budgetary analysis is performed. The relation between the number of sensors and the intensity of the signals of the ring network is given for evaluation of the multiplexing capacity. Experimentally, a seven-sensor array ring network was realized under the condition of light source power 35 microW at 1310 nm, and the distribution strain test was also demonstrated.     

Working-point control method for readout of dynamic phase changes in interferometric fiber-optic sensors by tuning the laser frequency

A simple but reliable method, namely the working-point control by tuning the laser frequency, for the dynamic phase shift measurement in a passive homodyne interferometric fiber-optic sensor is proposed. A dc voltage calculated from the photodetector output is applied to the light source to control the interferometer at the condition of maximum sensitivity. Then the signal's phase shift can be obtained from the components of zero and fundamental frequencies. To test the method, an all polarization-maintaining Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a piezoelectric ceramic (PbZrTiO(3), or PZT) cylinder in one arm is constructed. The experimental results show that the simulation signal's phase shift generated by the PZT cylinder can be read out correctly with the method. It has the advantages of simplicities of operation, no-active element in the sensing head, and large operating bandwidth. It can be used for readout of dynamic phase shifts in various interferometric fiber-optic sensors.     

Stabilization of a fiber-optic two-arm interferometer for ultra-short pulse signal processing applications

We experimentally demonstrate a stable ultrafast first-order temporal differentiator using a fiber-optic Michelson interferometer incorporating a simple feedback stabilization control, which is based on dithering a single wavelength cw reference. Feedback control signals are acquired by a phase-lock-loop and used for automatically adjusting and maintaining the resonance wavelength of the differentiator at the pulse center wavelength without dithering or disturbing the interferometer arms. Picosecond odd-symmetry Hermite-Gaussian waveforms using the implemented first-order differentiator have been stably generated. The demonstrated stabilization system should prove useful for a wide range of ultrafast pulse processing and analysis applications based on the use of two-arm interferometers.     

Theory of fiber-optic, evanescent-wave spectroscopy and sensors

A general theory for fiber-optic, evanescent-wave spectroscopy and sensors is presented for straight, uncladded, step-index, multimode fibers. A three-dimensional model is formulated within the framework of geometric optics. The model includes various launching conditions, input and output end-face Fresnel transmission losses, multiple Fresnel reflections, bulk absorption, and evanescent-wave absorption. An evanescent-wave sensor response is analyzed as a function of externally controlled parameters such as coupling angle, f number, fiber length, and diameter. Conclusions are drawn for several experimental apparatuses.     

Application of an FFT-based algorithm to signal processing of LVDTposition sensors

This paper presents a new method for signal processing of linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) position sensors. Based on a spectral estimation of the differential secondary signal, the method has been implemented using a floating-point digital signal processor (DSP) and a 14-bit analog interface circuit (AIC) to generate the primary signal and to process the primary and the secondary signals. Compared with the classic solution based on synchronous demodulation the resulting accuracy is improved. Heavy filtering is not required, except for the anti-aliasing function. The algorithm decreases the measuring time and offers diagnostic capability     

Strain and temperature sensors using multimode optical fiber Bragg gratings and correlation signal processing

Multimode fiber optic Bragg grating sensors for strain and temperature measurements using correlation signal processing methods have been developed. Two multimode Bragg grating sensors were fabricated in 62/125 /spl mu/m graded-index silica multimode fiber; the first sensor was produced by the holographic method and the second sensor by the phase mask technique. The sensors have signal reflectivity of approximately 35% at peak wavelengths of 835 nm and 859 nm, respectively. Strain testing of both sensors has been done from 0 to 1000 /spl mu//spl epsiv/ and the temperature testing from -40 to 80/spl deg/C. Strain and temperature sensitivity values are 0.55 pm//spl mu//spl epsi/ and 6 pm//spl deg/C, respectively. The sensors are being applied in a power-by-light hydraulic valve monitoring system.     

Incorporation of fiber-optic sensors in concrete specimens: testing and evaluation

As series of tests has been carried out on the performance of several fiber-optic temperature sensors, operating on the fluorescence lifetime principle using neodymium-doped fiber and configured into ruggedized temperature probes, mounted in a number of different concrete samples. The aim has been to evaluate the performance of probes fitted into concrete specimens to simulate the conditions experienced in structures used in civil applications, such as bridges and dams. A key feature of the investigation was observing the integrity of the sensors under investigation while obtaining temperature data from the device. The results show the sensors operated well from below room temperature to beyond 300/spl deg/C, preserving their integrity under adverse test conditions.