Fiber optic sensor arrays: a new method to improve multiplexing capability with a low complexity approach

In this paper, we show some preliminary numerical results in order to increase the multiplexing capability of a multipoint fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor network without increase the system complexity. We base the new approach on the possibility of exploiting the chirped-pulsed frequency modulation technique (C-PFM). This technique, extensively used in radar applications, is based on the amplitude modulation of the emitted signal (pulsed) by a chirped frequency signal and on the demodulation of the reflected signal by means of adaptive filter. FBG sensors are instrumental to obtain cheap and easy handling multipoint sensing arrays.