Fiber optic sensor systems for airport ground traffic monitoring

This paper describes fiber-optic sensor systems developed for airport ground traffic monitoring and the first steps toward their installation in an experimental surface movement guidance and control system at the Braunschweig airport. Initial results obtained with fiber- optic light barriers and vibration sensors are reported. The feasibility of employing interferometric strain gauges for this application will be discussed based on sensor characteristics obtained through measurements of dynamic load variations in an aircraft structure in flight.