Stanislav Kepak

A Phonocardiographic-Based Fiber-Optic Sensor and Adaptive Filtering System for Noninvasive Continuous Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

This paper focuses on the design, realization, and verification of a novel phonocardiographic- based fiber-optic sensor and adaptive signal processing system for noninvasive continuous fetal heart rate (fHR) monitoring. Our proposed system utilizes two Mach-Zehnder interferometeric sensors. Based on the analysis of real measurement data, we developed a simplified dynamic model for the generation and distribution of heart sounds throughout the human body. Building on this signal model, we then designed, implemented, and verified our adaptive signal processing system by implementing two stochastic gradient-based algorithms: the Least Mean Square Algorithm (LMS), and the Normalized Least Mean Square (NLMS) Algorithm. With this system we were able to extract the fHR information from high quality fetal phonocardiograms (fPCGs), filtered from abdominal maternal phonocardiograms (mPCGs) by performing fPCG signal peak detection. Common signal processing methods such as linear filtering, signal subtraction, and others could not be used for this purpose as fPCG and mPCG signals share overlapping frequency spectra. The performance of the adaptive system was evaluated by using both qualitative (gynecological studies) and quantitative measures such as: Signal-to-Noise Ratio—SNR, Root Mean Square Error—RMSE, Sensitivity—S+, and Positive Predictive Value—PPV.

The arms arrangement influence on the sensitivity of Mach–Zehnder fiber optic interferometer

Fiber-optic sensors based on phase shift measurements are one of the most sensitive sensors at all. In general they are capable to measure various phenomena, for example displacement, rotation, temperature, acoustic pressure, liquid flow and level, strain etc. In our paper we have used interferometer configuration based on the Mach–Zehnder principle with polarization maintaining components and narrowband DFB laser operating at a wavelength of 1550 nm. In this configuration it is important to isolate the reference arm against measured phenomena and on the other hand to increase the sensitivity of the measuring arm to maximize phase shift induced by the measured phenomenon. The paper describes various measurement arrangements of measuring and reference arm and their influence on the measurement sensitivity. The obtained frequency ranges are evaluated for all mentioned combinations.

Detection and localization of building insulation faults using optical-fiber DTS system

Nowadays the trends in the construction industry are changing at an incredible speed. The new technologies are still emerging on the market. Sphere of building insulation is not an exception as well. One of the major problems in building insulation is usually its failure, whether caused by unwanted mechanical intervention or improper installation. The localization of these faults is quite difficult, often impossible without large intervention into the construction. As a proper solution for this problem might be utilization of Optical-Fiber DTS system based on stimulated Raman scattering. Used DTS system is primary designed for continuous measurement of the temperature along the optical fiber. This system is using standard optical fiber as a sensor, which brings several advantages in its application. First, the optical fiber is relatively inexpensive, which allows to cover a quite large area for a small cost. The other main advantages of the optical fiber are electromagnetic resistance, small size, safety operation in inflammable or explosive area, easy installation, etc. This article is dealing with the detection and localization of building insulation faults using mentioned system.

Mach-Zehnder interferometer for movement monitoring

Fiber optical interferometers belong to highly sensitive equipments that are able to measure slight changes like distortion of shape, temperature and electric field variation and etc. Their great advantage is that they are insensitive on ageing component, from which they are composed of. It is in virtue of herewith, that there are evaluated no changes in optical signal intensity but number interference fringes. To monitor the movement of persons, eventually to analyze the changes in state of motion we developed method based on analysis the dynamic changes in interferometric pattern. We have used Mach- Zehnder interferometer with conventional SM fibers excited with the DFB laser at wavelength of 1550 nm. It was terminated with optical receiver containing InGaAs PIN photodiode. Its output was brought into measuring card module that performs on FFT of the received interferometer signal. The signal rises with the composition of two waves passing through single interferometer arm. The optical fiber SMF 28e in one arm is referential; the second one is positioned on measuring slab at dimensions of 1x2m. A movement of persons around the slab was monitored, signal processed with FFT and frequency spectra were evaluated. They rose owing to dynamic changes of interferometric pattern. The results reflect that the individual subjects passing through slab embody characteristic frequency spectra, which are individual for particular persons. The scope of measuring frequencies proceeded from zero to 10 kHz. It was also displayed in experiments that the experimental subjects, who walked around the slab and at the same time they have had changed their state of motion (knee joint fixation), embodied characteristic changes in their frequency spectra. At experiments the stability of interferometric patterns was evaluated as from time aspects, so from the view of repeated identical experiments. Two kinds of balls (tennis and ping-pong) were used to plot the repeatability measurements and the gained spectra at repeated drops of balls were compared. Those stroked upon the same place and from the same elevation and dispersion of the obtained frequency spectra was evaluated. These experiments were performed on the series of 20 repeated drops from highs of 0,5 and 1m. The evaluation of experiments displayed that the dispersion of measured values is lower than 4%. Frequency response has been verified with the loudspeaker connected to signal generator and amplifier. Various slabs have been measured and frequency ranges were compared for particular slab designs.

Interferometric sensor based on the polarization-maintaining fibers

The interferometers composed of optical fibers are due to its high sensitivity capable of to measure various influences affecting the fiber. These influences may be bending or different sorts of fiber deformations, vibration, temperature, etc. In this case the vibration is the measured quantity, which is evaluated by analyzing the interference fringes representing changes in the fiber. Was used a Mach-Zehnder interferometer composed of the polarization maintaining elements. The polarization maintaining elements were used because of high sensitivity to polarization state inside the interferometer. The light was splitted into the two optical paths, where the first one is the reference fiber and it is separated from the actual phenomenon, and the second one is measuring fiber, which is directly exposed to vibration transmission from the underlying surface. The light source was narrowband DFB laser serating at a wavelength of 1550nm and as a detector an InGaAs PIN photodiode were used in this measurement. The electrical signal from the photodiode was amplified and fed into the measuring card. On the incoming signal the FFT was applied, which performs the transformation into the frequency domain and the results were further evaluated by software. We were evaluating the characteristic frequencies and their amplitude ratios. The frequency responses are unique for a given phenomenon, thus it is possible to identify recurring events by the characteristic frequencies and their amplitude ratios. The frequency range was limited by the properties of the used speaker, by the frequency characteristics of the filter in the amplifier and used resonant element. For the experiment evaluation the repeated impact of the various spherical objects on the surface board was performed and measured. The stability of amplitude and frequency and also the frequency range was verified in this measurement.

Fiber Bragg Grating vibration sensor with DFB laser diode

The Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors are nowadays used in many applications. Thanks to its quite big sensitivity to a surrounding environment, they can be used for sensing of temperature, strain, vibration or pressure. A fiber Bragg grating vibration sensor, which is interrogated by a distributed feedback laser diode (DFB) is demonstrated in this article. The system is based on the intensity modulation of the narrow spectral bandwidth of the DFB laser, when the reflection spectrum of the FBG sensor is shifted due to the strain that is applied on it in form of vibrations caused by acoustic wave pressure from loud speaker. The sensor’s response in frequency domain and strain is measured; also the factor of sensor pre-strain impact on its sensitivity is discussed.

Comparison of BCG, PCG and ECG signals in application of heart rate monitoring of the human body

The aim of this article is evaluation and comparison of three different signals from three different sensors in application of monitoring the Heart Rate (HR) of the human body. Authors assembled two different types of fiber optic sensors. The first type of sensor uses Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) and monitoring of heart rate is based on Ballistocardiography (BCG) principle. The second type of sensor utilizes fiber interferometer and monitoring of heart rate is based on Phonocardiography (PCG). Evaluation of signal from the first two types of sensors was acquired by proposed Optical Interrogators. In case of third type (reference signal), heart rate signal was acquired with the use of standard gel electrodes and modules fixed to the monitored persons chest using a real-time monitoring system for an Electrocardiography (ECG) with virtual instrumentation (National Instruments ELVIS II). The experimental tests were carried out on six subjects of both sexes in a laboratory conditions with their written consent. The obtained data were compared objectively by the Bland-Altman method.

Mathematical model of optimized design of multi-point sensoric measurement with Bragg gratings using wavelength divison multiplex

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) belongs to the single-point optical sensors used in many fields and applications where they often replace a standard sensors. They are easy to multiplex and the wavelength division multiplex is the most widely used method. FBGs in sensory branch are designed for a different Bragg wavelength which gives different measure and sensitivity coefficients. Existing algorithm is based on the determination of left and right boundaries of the measuring channel and the central Bragg wavelength. In this paper is presented the new mathematical model for calculation of Bragg wavelength, sensitivity coefficient and channel width of any FBG in the single step. The model takes into account the following input parameters: wavelength of the optical source, source bandwidth, the type of measured quantity, measuring ranges, width of the FBG reflected spectrum and the guard band between adjacent channels. The mathematical model is verified by using a simulation in software OptiSystem.

Fixing methods for the use of optical fibers in interferometric arrangements

Today interferometric sensors are among the most accurate available thanks to their inherent high sensitivity. These highly versatile sensors may be used to measure phenomena such as temperature, strain, fluid level, flow, vibration, stress, etc. This article concentrates on the composition of fiber-optic interferometers, in particular the Mach-Zehnder type. The Mach-Zehnder type is composed of two arms, one for measurement and a second serving as a reference. When light enters the interferometer, ideally the phase of the light is shifted only in the measurement arm while the phase in the second arm remains unchanged. Interference occurs when the light recombining at the output and the resulting light intensity is proportional to the measurand. A major issue in the application of fiber based sensors is laying and fixing the fibers effectively in real life environments. Different approaches are necessary for both arms. The reference arm should as far as possible be isolated from the measurand. In this paper, various isolating materials are considered, however there are almost unlimited materials that may be used for isolation purposes. Conventional construction methods and materials were used such as aluminum tubing, flexible PVC tubing, double sided tape, steel clinches, superglue, PVC strips and PVC strips filled by silicon.

Security risk assessment of the primary layer of wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network

Next-generation passive optical access networks come to the fore nowadays. These optical next-generation networks are the response to the increasing qualitative requirements from end users. Technologies using Time Division Multiplexing include NG-PON (XG-PON 1 and XG-PON 2) and 10GEPON. Their advantage is the applicability to older topologies, which are operated by the original technology of passive optical access networks. Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) is an alternative also belonging to next-generation networks. Time Division Multiplexing is in this case replaced by Wavelength Division Multiplexing. Certain variants of WDM-PON use a combination of broadband light source, optical circulator, optical phased array and tunable FP laser. Construction of the terminal units (ONU) is advantageous because it can always tune in to the appropriate wavelength in the given optical DWDM channel (100 GHz). The disadvantage is the increased security risk on the primary layer due to channel crosstalk in an optical phased array (AWG). The aim of this paper is to assess the degree of security risk in real conditions. The article includes both simulation and real measurements in C + L bands with 100 GHz DWDM spacing.