Spectral peak detection in optical sensor networks

Optical sensor measurement with fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) is the ideal solution when conventional sensors cannot be used effectively, for example under difficult EMC conditions or with long signal lines. It must be taken into account that signal losses can vary within FBG sensor networks - and thus jeopardize measurement accuracy. This is why HBM has developed the new Smart Peak Detection (SPD) method and embedded it in the real-time operating system of the BraggMETER® interrogator.

Smart Peak Detection reliably detects spectral peaks - regardless of signal loss. It utilizes the high dynamic gain of the interrogator in such a way that spectral peak-related adaptive thresholds can be set individually for each sensor. This significantly increases the accuracy of the individual measurements. In addition, the BraggMETER® detects sensors that may have a critical effect on the measurement result due to high losses and low reflectivity. Operation is possible with 1, 4 and 8 channels. Each optical channel allows more than 100 connected sensors. The interrogator stores the obtained data on physical units. BraggMETER® can be operated autonomously and allows complete control of all functions via the BraggMONITOR software.

With Smart Peak Detection, BraggMETER® ensures more precise measurement results, especially for measurement networks composed of sensors with different levels of reflectivity - and at the same time is easy to use in applications in the field.