Patent ID: 6081633
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
A forward-coupled fiber optic sensor array system comprising:an input optical fiber section;an output optical fiber section;a plurality of fiber optic input couplers optically connected in series through first optical fiber sections having a uniform length, a first one of said plurality of input couplers being optically connected to said input optical fiber section;a plurality of fiber optic output couplers optically connected in series through second optical fiber sections, a last one of said plurality of output couplers being optically connected to said output optical fiber section; anda plurality of fiber optic acoustic sensors, each of said sensors being optically connected between a corresponding respective one of said input couplers and a corresponding respective one of said output couplers so as to form a forward-coupled fiber optic sensor array system topology (FCAT) ladder network, and so that all optical paths defined between said input and output optical fiber sections by said input and output couplers, said first and second optical fiber sections and said acoustic sensors have the same number of optical fiber sections and approximately the same number of optical connections; and each of said plurality of input couplers having a coupler splitting ratio, and said coupler splitting ratios being selected for optimum optical performance independent of light losses in the system.