Multiplexing of FBG sensors using modelocked wavelength-swept fibre laser

An erbium-doped fibre laser with a 900 m-long cavity has been tuned by a combination of a rotating mirror and a bulk optical grating. A stable modelocked pulse train is obtained over the 1522-1564 nm wavelength region. To monitor an FBG sensor array, wavelength-division multiplexing and time-division multiplexing are combined.