Multichannel Approach for Arrayed Waveguide Grating-Based FBG Interrogation Systems

In this manuscript, an optically passive fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation system able to perform high-frequency measurement is proposed. The idea is mainly based on the use of an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) device which is used to discriminate the fiber optic sensor (FOS) wavelength encoded response under test in function of its output channels. As made clear by the theoretical model studied in the proposed manuscript, the Bragg wavelength shift can be detected as in linear dependence with the proposed interrogation function which changes with the voltage produced by two (or more) adjacent AWG output channels. To prove the feasibility of the system, some experimental analyses are conducted with a custom electrical module characterized by high-speed and low-noise operational amplifiers. As static measurements, three FBGs with different full width at half maximum (FWHM) have been monitored under wide-range wavelength variation; while, as dynamic measurement, one FBG, glued onto a metal plate, in order to sense the vibration at low and high frequency, was detected. The output signals have been processed by a digital acquisition (DAQ) board and a graphical user interface (GUI). The presented work highlights the characteristics of the proposed idea as competitor among the entire class of interrogation systems currently used. This is because here, the main device, that is the AWG, is passive and reliable, without the need to use modulation signals, or moving parts, that affect the speed of the system. In addition, the innovative multi-channel detection algorithm allows the use of any type of FOS without the need to have a perfectly match of spectra. Moreover, it is also characterized by a high dynamic range without loss of sensitivity.