Multiplexing of self-referenced fibre optic intensity sensors using fibre Bragg gratings and wavelength division couplers

In this work a wavelength multiplexing concept was demonstrated for frequency based self-referenced fibre optic intensity sensors relying on the utilisation of Bragg gratings and WDM couplers. The experimental results obtained showed a fairly good agreement with those predicted from the theory. It turned out that the system had negligible crosstalk between the two sensors. The resolution obtained for the sensors was found to be /spl ap/0.05 dB/spl radic/Hz. It should be emphasised, that the sensing concept described in this work is particularly favourable in terms of the minimisation of system noise. This happens because what is monitored is the amplitude of two sinewaves, i.e., the detection bandwidth can be made as narrow as practically feasible, with the consequent decrease of the system noise level. The power budget of the sensing network can be improved if shorter lengths of delay fibre are used, with the penalty, however, of working with higher frequencies. On the other hand, if the reflectivity of the FBGs is optimised, the power received by the detectors will increase correspondingly. Finally, a proper choice of the coupling coefficient of the couplers in the reflective ladder topology will have a strong impact on the optical power levels reaching the detector unit.