Optical fiber sensor fusion for aerospace systems lifecycle management

Optical fiber is a material that can transport light signals, so resulting useful for data transmission and sensing applications. Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) are a specific type of optical sensors that can measure parameters like temperature, strain, and vibration. The PhD program focuses on developing a sensing and monitoring strategy for aerospace systems using FBG sensors networks. The study will include material selection, optical fiber manufacturing, sensors packaging and integration, calibration and interrogation techniques and smart logics development for acquiring and controlling phenomena affecting the equipment under test. Some experimental activities have already been conducted to analyse thermal and mechanical sensing and to define a reliable methodology for integrating sensors into various systems. During the tests, FBGs were found to have high accuracy and sensitivity for thermal variations, mechanical strain and shortterm thermal transients. The crucial role of bounding technique was also enhanced. Additionally, more complex tests have been conducted for sensor more realistic systems, both for space and aeronautic environments. The results gained in this first period are positive and encouraging, suggesting further developments during PhD program