4.3 Fiber Optic Sensing: the challenges of miniaturization, ruggedization and integration to enhance flight test instrumentation capabilities

Abstract

One of the main challenges encountered by flight test instrumentation is to offer the adequate means to deliver accurately the continuously increasing number of data requested by design offices while minimizing the intrusiveness on the test vehicles. This contradictory trend applies to all stages of the instrumentation chain: sensing part, cabling, data acquisition units and communication. Nowadays, new fiberoptic sensors are gaining ground in various industries due to their unique characteristics. However, their optical interrogation has been very challenging, particularly for the demanding environment in aerospace applications. To overcome requirements interlinked between performance and miniaturization, a new innovative fiber-integrated approach is presented, with a focus on the reduction and optimization of all necessary materials and components. This paper aims at highlighting the benefits of Fiber Optic Sensing technology compared to legacy sensing methods as well as sharing an initiative to integrate this technology in an existing compact and modular data acquisition unit compliant with harsh environments