For customers looking to use Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology to monitor multiple points (such as multiple strain points on a bridge, or several temperature points in an oil tank), the cooperation between the Fiber Splitter and the Interrogator is the core secret to achieving efficient measurement.
[Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. (DCYS)] is dedicated to providing complete FBG sensing chain components. This article will simply explain the principle of the splitter and guide you on how to utilize our OFSCN® High-Performance Splitters to expand your monitoring network.
I. Basic Principle: How the FBG Sensing System Works
A Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) is a micro-structure inscribed into the core of an optical fiber that reflects only a specific wavelength of light. When the FBG is subjected to changes in temperature or strain, the reflected light's wavelength shifts.
The entire FBG sensing system operates through the synergy of two key components:
- FBG Interrogator: Acts as the system's "Brain." It sends a broadband optical signal (containing multiple wavelengths) down the fiber link and receives the reflected light from all FBGs. The Interrogator precisely measures the shift in the reflected light's wavelength to calculate the temperature or strain value at each FBG location.
- Fiber Splitter: Acts as the system's "Master Controller." Its function is to evenly distribute the broadband light signal emitted by the Interrogator onto multiple separate fiber links, thus enabling "one Interrogator to monitor hundreds of FBG sensors simultaneously across multiple fiber chains."
II. Core Value of OFSCN® Splitters: Precise Control and Scalability
In FBG sensing, the splitter is the key component for achieving multi-channel monitoring. Our OFSCN® High-Performance Fiber Splitters offer you the following core values:
|
Splitter Value |
Functional Description |
Significance for the Sensing System |
|
1. Expands Monitoring Capacity |
Divides the optical signal from 1 Interrogator port into N parts (e.g., 1x2, 1x3). |
Achieve maximum monitoring coverage with minimal equipment cost. Significantly reduces system expense. When used with a 16-channel OFSCN® FBG interrogator, the OFSCN® fiber optic splitter can be expanded to 16x32 or 16x48 channels (wavelength design is required). |
|
2. Precise Control (Uniformity) |
Ensures the optical signal power is highly uniform when distributed to every output port. |
Guarantees that every sensor link receives sufficient optical power, ensuring consistent Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and preventing distant sensors from being undetectable due to weak signals. |
|
3. Low Loss (IL) |
Minimizes the attenuation of the optical signal inside the splitter. |
Extends the distance of the sensing link. Lower loss allows the optical signal to travel further, enabling you to monitor longer distances or connect more FBG sensors. |
III. Usage Guide: How to Connect the FBG Interrogator and Splitter
Connecting the OFSCN® Splitter to the Interrogator is very simple, much like connecting standard fiber patch cords:
- Input Connection: Connect the FBG Interrogator's optical output/input port (usually a single fiber) via a patch cord to the Input Port (1 end) of the OFSCN® Splitter.
- Output Connection: The multiple output ports (e.g., 2 or 3 ports) of the OFSCN® Splitter are then connected to your different sensor fiber chains (i.e., the FBG sensing cables installed on your structures).
- System Operation: When the Interrogator operates, the optical signal is evenly distributed to all sensor chains via the splitter. The Interrogator subsequently receives and processes the FBG signals reflected back from all chains, enabling multi-point synchronous measurement.
The fiber splitters provided by [Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. (DCYS)] feature excellent low Insertion Loss and low Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL), making them the ideal choice for building high-precision, multi-channel FBG sensing systems.
Choose OFSCN® splitters to unlock the full potential of your Interrogator for efficient and reliable distributed monitoring.
[Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. (DCYS)]
Official Website: https://www.ofscn.org
Product Link: https://www.ofscn.org/connectors/fiber-splitter.html (Fiber Splitter)