Optical sensor network interrogation system based on nonuniform microwave photonic filters

Based on the nonuniformly spaced microwave photonic delay-line filter technology, a new design of a generic optical fiber sensor network interrogation platform is proposed and demonstrated. Sensing information from different types of optical sensors embedded in filter taps is converted into the variations of delay time and amplitude of each filter tap individually. Information to be measured can be decoded from the complex temporal impulse response of the microwave photonic filter. As proof-of-concept, our proposed approach is verified by simulations and experimental demonstrations successfully. Four optical sensors of different types are simultaneously interrogated via inverse Fourier transtbrm of the filter frequency response. The experiment results show good linearity between the variation of temporal impulse response and the variations of the twist, the lateral pressure, the transversal loading and the temperature. The sensitivity of the sensors in the proposed platform is -2.130x10(-5) a.u/degree, 6.1039 ps/kPa, -1.9146x10(-5) a.u/gram, and 5.1497 ps/degrees C, respectively. Compared to the conventional optical sensors interrogation system, the presented approach provides a centralized solution that works for different types of optical sensors and can be easily expanded to cover larger optical sensor networks. Published by The Optical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Automated summary

A new design of an optical fiber sensor network interrogation platform is proposed based on nonuniformly spaced microwave photonic delay-line filter technology, which can convert sensing information from different types of optical sensors effectively. The platform allows simultaneous interrogation of multiple optical sensors via inverse Fourier transform, showing good sensitivity to variations such as twist, pressure, loading, and temperature. The presented approach provides a centralized solution for different types of optical sensors and can be easily expanded for larger sensor networks.