Integrating fiber Bragg grating sensors with sensor networks

Optical fiber Bragg grating sensors exhibit specialized sensing characteristics for harsh environments. The most common interrogation methods for FBGs require high resolution spectrometers that are not well suited to some embedded test situations. We have developed a compact, high speed, Ethernet-enabled interrogator that consumes less than 10 Watts. We describe the conventions used to convert from the optical domain to a sensor network, then present integrated system test data acquired from sensors in dynamic temperature and strain environments. Fiber optic system and sensor performance signal a maturity level capable of mainstream usability.