Characterization of a fiber-optic shape and position sensor

Abstract

We report the results of a study of the performance characteristics of a distributed fiber-optic shape and position sensor. Strain measurements from distributed fiber Bragg gratings in a multi-core optical fiber multiplexed via the frequency domain reflectometry technique are used to deduce the shape of the optical fiber. We have measured a range of two- and three-dimensional shapes using a multi-core fiber with a sensor spacing of 1.0 cm and a gage length of 0.5 cm and have reported the accuracy and precision of these measurements. A discussion of error sources is also included.