A Delta-Star-Based Multipoint Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Network

Abstract

This work presents a novel delta-star architecture for large-scale multipoint fiber sensor networks with enhanced reconfigurable functionality. Unlike conventional star networks, the proposed network is divided into several delta regions, each containing only one feeder fiber. This delta-star structure significantly reduces the complexity and implementation cost of conventional star networks. A concatenated dual-ring structure with the self-healing function is designed to overcome the star's weakness in reliability. Numerous sensor ring subnets (SRSNs) are utilized to serve a large number of fiber Bragg grating sensors. Delta regions are partitioned upon the criterion of inter-region traffic uniformization; this simplifies the interrogation process and time slot assignment. The reconfigurable function for this multipoint sensor network, which is based on the optical switching technique, is utilized to ensure service continuity when fibers fail. The protection mechanism is illustrated with several multiple link failure cases. Finally, an experimental network is implemented to demonstrate the feasibility and survivability of the proposed sensor network.