Vladimir Vasinek

A Non-Invasive Multichannel Hybrid Fiber-Optic Sensor System for Vital Sign Monitoring

In this article, we briefly describe the design, construction, and functional verification of a hybrid multichannel fiber-optic sensor system for basic vital sign monitoring. This sensor uses a novel non-invasive measurement probe based on the fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The probe is composed of two FBGs encapsulated inside a polydimethylsiloxane polymer (PDMS). The PDMS is non-reactive to human skin and resistant to electromagnetic waves, UV absorption, and radiation. We emphasize the construction of the probe to be specifically used for basic vital sign monitoring such as body temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate. The proposed sensor system can continuously process incoming signals from up to 128 individuals. We first present the overall design of this novel multichannel sensor and then elaborate on how it has the potential to simplify vital sign monitoring and consequently improve the comfort level of patients in long-term health care facilities, hospitals and clinics. The reference ECG signal was acquired with the use of standard gel electrodes fixed to the monitored person’s chest using a real-time monitoring system for ECG signals with virtual instrumentation. The outcomes of these experiments have unambiguously proved the functionality of the sensor system and will be used to inform our future research in this fast developing and emerging field.

Indoor visible light communication: modeling and analysis of multi-state modulation

The new dynamic direction of wireless networks development is based on the idea of networks utilizing the optical radiation in the visible spectrum VLC (Visible Light Communications). The impulse of this development direction was improvement in the semiconductor lighting technologies, namely the white power LEDs (Light Emitting Diode). These types of wireless networks are denoted as the optical wireless networks for indoor spaces utilizing optical radiation in the visible spectrum. The paper deals with the issue of deployment of multi-state modulations into the indoor visible light communications in LOS (Line of Sight) configuration. The first part of the paper focuses on design of modulation element (SMD LED matrix 3 × 3) and problems connected to deployment of multi-state modulation M-QAM (subcarrier intensity modulation) through this modulation element into the indoor visible light communications (MER). The second part deals with the irradiation distribution in dark room in comparison with real room during used multi-state modulation scheme in both simulation and real measurement.

Software design of segment optical transmitter for indoor free-space optical networks

During recent years, there has been rapid development in optical networks. This includes not only fiber optical networks but also free space optical networks. The free space optical networks can be divided into indoor and outdoor ones. The indoor free space optical networks have been experiencing dramatic progress in the last years, allowed by the newest IEEE norm 802.15.7, which enabled development of different types of transmitter receivers, modulation formats, etc. The team of authors is dealing with software design of segment optical transmitters for an indoor free space optical network based on the multi-mode optical 50/125 or 62.5/125 μm fiber. Simulated data are then evaluated from the point of view of optical intensity uniform distribution and space spot light size radiating from segment optical transmitter.

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.

Simulation and measurement of optical access network with different types of optical-fiber amplifiers

The optical access networks are nowadays swiftly developing in the telecommunications field. These networks can provide higher data transfer rates, and have great potential to the future in terms of transmission possibilities. Many local internet providers responded to these facts and began gradually installing optical access networks into their originally built networks, mostly based on wireless communication. This allowed enlargement of possibilities for end-users in terms of high data rates and also new services such as Triple play, IPTV (Internet Protocol television) etc. However, with this expansion and building-up is also related the potential of reach in case of these networks. Big cities, such as Prague, Brno, Ostrava or Olomouc cannot be simply covered, because of their sizes and also because of their internal regulations given by various organizations in each city. Standard logical and also physical reach of EPON (IEEE 802.3ah - Ethernet Passive Optical Network) optical access network is about 20 km. However, for networks based on Wavelength Division Multiplex the reach can be up to 80 km, if the optical-fiber amplifier is inserted into the network. This article deals with simulation of different types of amplifiers for WDM-PON (Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network) network in software application Optiwave OptiSystem and than are the values from the application and from real measurement compared.

Atmospheric turbulences in Free Space Optics channel

This article is focused on the atmospheric turbulences and their effect on optical beam. The Free Space Optics link with atmospheric turbulences was created in software OptiSystem. The results given by software are compared with Andrewss method. Free Space Optics link worked at wavelengths 850 nm and 1550 nm.

Influence of PDMS encapsulation on the sensitivity and frequency range of fiber-optic interferometer

Fiber-optic sensors are one of the dynamically developing areas of photonics and photonic applications. This group of sensors can also include fiber-optic interferometers which enable very sensitive sensing. They are entirely passive regarding power supply, and immune to electromagnetic interference. This type of sensor is dependent on the phase change. It mostly used in the field which requires high measurement accuracy. We can achieve a change of sensitivity in the order of 10-8. The fundamental problem of fiber-optic interferometry is a design and imposition (encapsulation) of the measuring arm and reference arm of the interferometer. Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer (PDMS) is one of the possibilities to encapsulation of the sensory arm. Two-component PDMS Sylgard 184 is used type. The article analyzes the effect of encapsulation into a PDMS of the measuring arm of the interferometer to frequency response and sensitivity of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer with the division of power in a ratio of 1:1 (measuring arm and reference arm). Input power set to a reference value of 1 mW, this value was constant for all performed experimental measurements. The generator of a harmonic signal with fixed amplitude signal used for analysis of the frequency characteristic of the interferometer. The application written in LabView development environment, evaluated the amplitude-frequency spectra of the signal. Repeated test of assembled prototype verified the measured results.

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.

Optical fiber distributed temperature sensor in cardiological surgeries

In those days a lot of cardiological surgeries is made every day. It is a matter of very significant importance keeping the temperature of the hearth low during the surgery because it decides whether the cells of the muscle will die or not. The hearth is cooled by the ice placed around the hearth muscle during the surgery and cooling liquid is injected into the hearth also. In these days the temperature is measured only in some points of the hearth using sensors based on the pH measurements. This article describes new method for measurement of temperature of the hearth muscle during the cardiological surgery. We use a multimode optical fiber and distributed temperature sensor (DTS) based on the stimulated Raman scattering in temperature measurements. This principle allows us to measure the temperature and to determine where the temperature changes during the surgery. Resolution in the temperature is about 0.1 degrees of Celsius. Resolution in length is about 1 meter. The resolution in length implies that the fiber must be wound to ensure the spatial resolution about 5 by 5 centimeters.

FBG sensor of breathing encapsulated into polydimethylsiloxane

The technology of Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) belongs to the most widespread fiber-optic sensors. They are used for measuring a large number of physical and chemical quantities. Small size, immunity to electromagnetic interference, high sensitivity and a principle of information encoding about the measurement value into spectral characteristics causes usability of FBG sensors in medicine for monitoring vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. An important factor is the use of an inert material for the encapsulation of Bragg gratings in this area. A suitable choice is a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer having excellent thermal and elastic properties. Experimental results describe the creation of FBG sensory prototype for monitoring breathing in this paper. The sensor is realized by encapsulation of Bragg grating into PDMS. The FBG sensor is mounted on the elastic contact strap which encircles the chest of the patient. This tension leads to a spectral shift of the reflected light from the FBG. For measurement, we used a broadband light source Light-Emitting Diode (LED) with central wavelength 1550 nm and optical spectrum analyzer.