Deformation Measurement for Conformal Loadbearing Antenna Structure Arrays Using Fiber Optic Grating Strain Sensors

This program develops a system that s capable of measureing to high accuracy and at high speeds two dimensional deformations of structural panels supporting antennas. The development of this system will serve to enhance imaging capabilities of radars.The system relies upon single and multi-axis fiber grating strain and temperature sensor technology that can be interrogated by high speed, high sensitivity demodulation systems and algorithms to measure multi-dimensional deformation of structural panels.In addition to supporting antenna structures the technology associated with this effort can be used for health monitoring systems for such aerospace platforms as uninhabited vehicles, aircraft and spacecraft.