Transverse load sensing based on a dual-frequency optoelectronic oscillator.
We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fiber-optic sensor implemented based on a dual-frequency optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) for transverse load sensing. In the OEO loop, a phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (PS-FBG) is employed to which a transverse load is applied to introduce a birefringence to create two orthogonally polarized notches, which leads to the generation of two oscillating frequencies. The beat frequency between the two oscillating frequencies is a function of the load force applied to the PS-FBG. The proposed sensor is experimentally demonstrated. The sensitivity and the minimal detectable load are measured to be as high as ~9.73 GHz/(N/mm) and 2.06×10(-4) N/mm, respectively. The high-frequency purity and stability of the generated microwave signal by the OEO permit extremely reliable and high-accuracy measurement. The frequency interrogation allows the system to operate at an ultra-high speed. In addition, the sensing signal is insensitive to the variations of both the environmental temperature and the optical carrier wavelength.
Microwave Photonics Research Laboratory, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Fanqi
F
Kong
Wangzhe
W
Li
Jianping
J
Yao