Spider Orb-Web Inspired Cognitive, Fault-Tolerant Fiber Optic Sensor Network for SHM under Harsh Conditions

该奖项的研究目标是学习传感器制造方法、光交叉连接架构、网络框架拓扑和系统自主性，这些都是创建用于恶劣条件下结构健康监测的认知和容错光纤传感器网络所需的。该方法是研究和学习蜘蛛球网的独特传感特征，制定关键的传感器和网络参数，并将这些知识应用于鲁棒光纤传感器网络的设计和演示。具体而言，本文将提出一种利用高重复频率飞秒激光脉冲串制作鲁棒光纤光栅传感器的新方法。将设计一种新的无损交叉连接器来实现网状传感器网络。建立光网络拓扑的理论模型，以获得多路复用和组织大量传感器的容错网络管理方法。将研究泵和探针信号之间的相互作用，以找到一种快速容错传感器询问的时域技术。如果成功，这项研究将产生一种有利的传感技术，用于在恶劣条件下对关键民用基础设施的健康状况进行现场监测。这些研究将丰富国家安全运行监测技术的知识基础。民用基础设施，特别是用于改善关键任务服务和在地震等极端事件期间的应急反应。该研究还将通过各种教育和推广活动，如丰富本科和研究生课程、支持高年级设计项目、为七年级/八年级学生提供实践讲习班，以及向高中生推广等，融入学术领域。

The research objective of this award is to learn the sensor fabrication method, the optical cross-connecting architecture, the network framework topology and the system autonomy that is required to create a cognitive and fault-tolerant fiber optic sensor network for structural health monitoring under harsh conditions. The approach is to examine and learn from the unique sensing features of the spider orb-web, formulate the critical sensor and network parameters, and apply this knowledge to the design and demonstration of a robust fiber optic sensor network. Specifically, a new method will be derived for fabrication of robust fiber Bragg grating sensors using high repetition rate femtosecond laser pulse trains. A new lossless cross-connector will be designed to enable the meshed sensor network. The theoretical model of the optical network topology will be established to obtain a fault-tolerant network management methodology for multiplexing and organizing a large number of sensors. The interactions between the pump and probe signals will be studied to find a time-domain technique for fast and fault-tolerant sensor interrogation.If successful, the research will result in an enabling sensing technology for in situ monitoring of the health status of critical civil infrastructure under harsh conditions. The studies will enrich the knowledge base of monitoring technologies for safe operation of the nation?s civil infrastructure, especially for improving mission-critical services and emergency responses during extreme events such as earthquakes. The research will also be integrated into academics through various educational and outreach actives such as undergraduate and graduate course enrichment, support of senior design projects, hands-on workshops for 7th/8th grade students, and outreach to high school students.