Development of Multifunctional Fiber Optic Sensors for Complex Aerospace Systems Monitoring

The monitoring of complex engineering systems, particularly in the aerospace sector, requires the measurement and management of a large amount of data. This information is collected through the measurement of specific physical parameters (temperature, strain, vibrations, etc.) at designated points within the system under consideration. Accurate, localized, and highly precise measurement of these parameters is essential for the development of appropriate control strategies and/or numerical models necessary to determine the overall performance of the system. Traditional sensing approaches, however, present significant challenges in the development of complex and extended sensor networks. The bulkiness of cabling (at least one cable per sensor), electromagnetic compatibility issues, operating temperature limitations, and the need to ensure reliable data acquisition in harsh environments are among the primary constraints affecting most commercially available sensors. Optical fiber sensors, on the other hand, thanks to their minimal invasiveness, multiplexing capability, and the physical properties of the optical fiber itself, provide effective solutions to overcome these limitations. This work presents the main research activities conducted at Politecnico di Torino focused on the development of sensors and measurement techniques for different physical parameters using the same optical hardware. In particular, the methodologies for employing Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors for the measurement of temperature, strain, applied loads, and vibrations will be discussed, with the aim of enabling comprehensive, localized, and high-performance monitoring of complex and heterogeneous systems and functions.