Interrogation of Remote Intensity-Based Fiber-Optic Sensors Deploying Delay Lines in the Virtual Domain

Abstract

In this work a self-referencing intensity-based fiber-optic sensor using virtual instrumentation is presented. The use of virtual delay lines along with novel self-referencing techniques minimizing resolution and using a single frequency avoids all-optical or electrical-based delay lines approaches at reception. This solution preserves the self-referencing and performance characteristics of the proposed optical sensing topology, and leads to a more compact solution with higher flexibility for the multiple interrogation of remote sensing points. Results are presented for a displacement sensor demonstrating the concept feasibility.