Optical Communications and Sensing for Avionics

Abstract

This chapter is a review of avionicsavionics optical fiber communication and sensing systems. Optical fibers are the most common means of optical communication. One important extension of fiber-optic communication technology for aerospace applications is the fly-by-light (fly-by-light (FBL)) approach for aircraft control systems. Inherent characteristics of the FBL approach such as its light weight, compact size, large bandwidth, and immunity to electromagnetic interference (electromagnetic interference (EMI)) make it an ideal technology for future flight controlflight control systems. FBL control systems offer some advantages for the new aircraft generation within more hostile military environments. In addition to their value in communication, optical fibers have the capability to sense and provide information about the environment they are exposed to. There are various types of fiber-optic sensorfiber-optic sensors that can provide detailed data on parameters such as temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, and acoustic emissions. Accurate knowledge of these parameters is vital to the structural design and safe operation of various components that must often operate in high temperature or mechanically hostile environments; well-designed optical fiber sensors can provide measurement possibilities in these environments. This chapter will provide insight into a number of these opticalsensingoptical sensing techniques, which have demonstrated significant potential for enabling accurate measurements in harsh environments.