Low-cost OEM solution for fibre optic temperature measurements

10th January 2017
Posted By : Anna Flockett
Low-cost OEM solution for fibre optic temperature measurements

SPIE Photonics West 2017 will see Micronor and Optocon AG debuting as they have collaborated to create the FOTEMP1-OEM-MNT; a low cost, small form factor, single channel signal conditioner that seamlessly integrates Fibre Optic Temperature Sensing into any industrial control system, medical instrumentation or other OEM design.

The standard FOTEMP1-OEM-MNT controller features include a calibrated measurement range of -40 to +300°C and built-in USB, RS232 and SPI interfaces.  The product will be demonstrated at the Micronor booth 5359 North Hall, at the event taking place January 31st- February 2nd, 2017.

The product operates in conjunction with all TS Series GaAs Fibre Optic Temperature Sensors to provide a discrete temperature monitoring solution that can operate accurately and reliably in challenging environments where electronics-based temperature sensors (thermocouples, RTDs) cannot function.

The fibre optic sensor’s entirely non-metallic, passive optical design provides immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), microwaves, high voltage, extreme magnetic fields, radiation, chemicals, and explosive atmospheres. In these environments, GaAs fibre optic temperature sensors enable new and unprecedented solutions impossible for electronic sensors.

Typical applications include monitoring temperature inside high voltage transformers and switchgear, MR imaging, semiconductor manufacturing, petrochemical plants, as well as microwave ovens and reactors used in food industry, material processing and bioengineering. The use of low loss optical fibre allows interference-free, remote temperature monitoring up to 2000m. Such distances are characteristic of mines, tank farms and downhole applications.

The temperature sensor’s operation is based on the inherent temperature dependency of the bandgap of the Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor crystal. A continuous broadband light source is coupled into the sensor’s large core 200µm optical fibre which illuminates a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) crystal mounted on the sensor’s fibre tip.

GaAs absorbs wavelengths below its bandgap and the sensor reflects the wavelengths above. The transition region between the reflected and transmitted spectrum, i.e. the bandgap spectral position, corresponds to absolute temperature.

The FOTEMP1-OEM-MNT is a compact OEM interface solution with sophisticated functionality. The unit sources the broadband light to the GaAs sensor and an internal optical spectrum analyser evaluates the reflected optical signal to determine the corresponding absolute temperature.

This sensing and interrogation method allows for lower cost, greater accuracy (0.2°C), widest measurement range (-200 to 300°C), and faster response compared to other fibre optic sensor techniques, including fluorescence decay and fibre Bragg gratings.

In small quantities, a complete fibre optic temperature measurement system sells for $1349, consisting of the standard FOTEMP1-OEM-MNT at $999, and a general purpose TS2-02 GaAs fibre optic temperature sensor at $350.


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