Interferometric fiber optic method and apparatus for obtaining absolute static measurement using an optical frequency-time profile
US5798834A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K11/32
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for obtaining absolute static measurement values of a physical influence includes a processor which controls the operation of a laser that generates an interferometer input signal which is submitted to an optical interferometer. The interferometer includes a coupler/splitter that splits the interferometer input signal into a reference arm and a sensing arm both of which are coupled to an appropriate physical influence. The sensing arm and the reference arm detect the status of the physical influence, whereupon the coupler/splitter generates an interferometer output signal received by the processor. The processor then correlates this interferometer output signal to an absolute static measurement value of the physical influence. A splitter is also employed to segment a portion of the interferometer input signal and employ this portion to correct the interferometer input signal and the interferometer output signal as determined by the processor. The interferometer may employ a cancellation technique to remove the inclusion of undesirable physical influences during the measurement of the desired physical influence.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.