Intrusion detection system based on plastic optical fiber

The present paper presents the implementation of an intrusion detection system prototype which is based on plastic optical fiber. The system can serve in the monitoring of different types of areas starting from small rooms up to the dimensions of bigger grounds and territories. Unlike the commercially available systems, the proposed alternative is invisible for intruders, has a simple functioning principle and is scalable. The basic principle that underlines the system is that if a pressure is applied to an optical fiber, the light flux which pass through the optical fiber will be reduced, the variation being directly proportional with the applied pressure. If this variation is measured, intrusions can be detected. The implemented prototype was tested in laboratory conditions, which simulate a small scale monitored area. The mechanical issues, like the connectors used for interconnection of the optical fiber with the laser and the photodiodes play a significant role in the accuracy of the results. These problems will be solved in the future research.