A novel FBG sensor network with high survivability

Abstract

In this paper, a novel architecture for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor network with self-healing function is proposed, which is made of by a set of sector sub-networks including FBG sensors, main node and some remote nodes. The main node is responsible for sending the lightwave from the source to the sensor parts in the network. The remote nodes are built by using of optical switches and couplers so as to check the breakpoint and reconfigure the sensor network with different route if any link fails. The simulation and discussion results show that the networks consisting of different nodes could provide different performances due to the change in insertion losses at the nodes and reflecting spectrum from FBG sensors, and successively, offer different levels of survivability. More importantly, reconfiguring the sensor network in case of the failure for certain links, the new route composed by the different remote nodes may influence the network performances. This sensor network can be also expanded to large scale by combining three or more sector sub-networks. In order to meet the remand for survivability, remote nodes must be redesigned carefully when certain links fail. The improved performances are verified by the simulation. The results indicate the proposed architecture can facilitate a reliable sensor network with large scale and multipoint smart structure.