Simultaneous electronic tracking of multiple Bragg fibre gratings

This project involved the evolution and development of an existing system which monitors Bragg grating sensors in an optical fibre. The system interrogates the gratings in an optical fibre network using an acousto-optic tunable filter. A personal computer together with an electronic feedback loop are used to seek and then lock onto the gratings within the optical fibre. Tracking of the gratings is achieved by measuring the wavelength of light reflected back from each grating within the optical fibre. A clone of the existing system in a modular form which operated at a higher frequency was achieved. Applications of this technology include strain sensing within composite materials, pressure and temperature sensing.A project submitted for the award of a MEng., supervised by J.P.Daki