Vibration control of a flexible beam using a distributed fiber optic sensor

Modal domain sensors are few-mode optical fibers that have been shown to produce predictable interference patterns when strained. The use of a modal domain sensor in a vibration control experiment is described. An optical fiber is bonded along the length of a flexible beam. A control signal derived from the output of the modal domain sensor is used to suppress vibrations induced in the beam. A distributed effect model for the modal domain sensor is developed. This model is combined with models of the beam and actuator dynamics to produce a system suitable for control design. Simulated results are presented