Multiplexed Fiber Optic Sensor System for Structural Health Monitoring of Ships Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-095 Topic Title: Multiplexed Fiber Optic Sensor System for Structural Health Monitoring of Ships Proposal No.: N101-095-0026 Firm: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems Corporation 2363 Calle Del Mundo Santa Clara, California 95054-1008 Contact: Behzad Moslehi Phone: (408) 565-9004 Web Site: www.ifos.com Abstract: IFOS will demonstrate the feasibility of optical fiber based distributed network of sensors for load monitoring of ship structures. The proposed IFOS fiber optic sensor system will be reliable and durable in a sea environment, capable of monitoring a minimum span of 400 ft with miniature cost-effective non-intrusive sensors, will have good sensitivity and dynamic range (sub-microstrain to thousands of microstrain), and be reconfigurable, adaptive and scalable up to 500 sensors, with good frequency response. The innovative IFOS approach involves a miniaturized interrogator with parallel photonic signal processing implemented by integrated optic chips and includes ruggedized fiber sensing cables with many sensing elements. Other attributes include EMI resistance and have minimal wiring and maintenance requirements. In Phase I, IFOS will demonstrate a feasibility prototype for 50 sensors on a large cantilever beam with 200 Hz sampling based on an innovative hybrid multiplexing scheme. This will be extended in Phase II to a dynamically reconfigurable fiber optic sensor system for 500 sensors. Benefits: The proposed fiber optic strain/load monitoring system is expected to find application in many DoD platforms (such as destroyers, cruiser, amphibious ships, submarines, fighter, patrol and transport aircraft) which have key structural components (e.g., pressurized bulkheads, rudders, propellers, superstructures and wing attachment point) that require strain or loads monitoring. Installation of such a system will provide safety while allowing maintenance at longer time intervals or only when the system indicates that it is required. That will translate to considerable cost reduction. IFOS, in collaboration with the Navy monitoring team, will seek a potential military application and/or demonstration during Phase III. Return