Demonstration of multiplexed sensor system combining low coherence interferometry and microwave photonics

In this work, a multiplexed sensor system is proposed by means of the combination of low coherence interferometry (LCI) and microwave photonics (MWP). Variations of physical magnitudes can be measured in an array of head sensors by monitoring the optical path difference generated by each sensor. In this case, the characterization of the multiplexed sensor system is done through the electrical transfer function corresponding to the MWP-LCI system. Moreover, the effect produced by the mutual interaction among head sensors is analyzed in this work. Experimental and theoretical demonstration of the system is provided comparing single detection and balanced detection approaches.