Intelligent Technical Textiles Based on Fiber Bragg Gratings for Strain Monitoring

In this paper, the concept design of intelligent technical textile blocks implemented with optical fibers that include fiber Bragg gratings for strain and temperature sensing is briefly introduced. In addition to the main design of the system, a design of measurement blocks with integrated fiber Bragg grating elements for strain measurement is also presented. In the basic measurement, the created textile block was tested for deformation sensitivity when a load was applied. Moreover, a unique robust and low profile connector was designed, created and verified. The fibers are terminated with GRIN lenses, allowing easy manipulation and completion of the connector in the field, with an average insertion loss of 5.5 dB.