Multi-sensor real-time sensing based on fiber grating array

A fiber optic sensor array with continuous and real-time sensing capabilities is presented in the paper. The structure includes reflective fiber Bragg gratings with the same wavelength and optical bandwidth in combination with a multi-output optical switch. By turning on the multiple sensor heads sequentially with the synchronization of data acquisition via microcontroller and computer control, real-time measurement and continuous monitoring can be achieved. Experimental results are presented which demonstrate a real-time temperature monitoring with the compensation of the non-linear characteristic of the optical edge filter.