Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology

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DESIGN & SIMULATION OF OPTICAL FIBER BRAGG

GRATING PRESSURE SENSOR FOR MINIMUM
ATTENUATION CRITERIA
1
REEMA SHARMA, 2RAJESH ROHILLA, 3 MOHIT SHARMA,
4
DR. T.C.MANJUNATH, Ph.D. (IIT Bombay), Fellow IETE, Member IEEE
1
Lecturer, E & C Engg. Dept., New Horizon College of Engg., Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Email : [email protected] Phone : +91 09901048873; Fax : 080-28440770
2
Former Lecturer, E & C Engg. Dept., National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India.
3
Team Leader, Hewlett Packard, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Email : [email protected] Phone : +91 09845558034
4
Professor & Head, E & C Engg. Dept., New Horizon College of Engg., Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Email : [email protected] [email protected]
Phone : +91 080 66297777 (Off.) +91 09449820361 (Mob) Extn. 2004 ; Fax : 080-28440770

ABSTRACT
This paper presents the design & simulation of an Optical Fiber Bragg Grating (OFBG) sensor for
stress, strain measurement and also demonstrates the methodology to arrive at the optimal grating pitch
dimensions for a given interrogating wavelength. The wavelength chosen for interrogation of the Fiber
Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor is from the third window so as to minimize the attenuation of the light signal
in the communication link from Fiber Bragg Grating sensor to the electronic instrumentation. Before
actually inscribing the grating in the fiber, simulation tools provide valuable help in optimizing the design
parameters. From the graphical simulations, it can be concluded that increase in the grating pitch will
change the reflectivity of the interrogating wavelength. Once the sensor is simulated using the advanced
simulation tools, then it is tested for its reliability. The simulation results presented in this paper show the
effectiveness of the developed method, which can be further implemented in real time for various industrial
applications.

Keywords : Fiber, Bragg Grating, Sensor, Optics, Simulation, Instrumentation, Window, Modulation,
Power, Reflection, Wave-length.

1. INTRODUCTION associated with the opto-electronic & fiber optic

communication industry.
Over the past 20 years, two major product
Many of the components associated with these
revolutions have taken place due to the growth of
industries were often developed for fiber optic
the photonics, opto-electronics and the fiber optic
sensor applications. Fiber optic sensor technology
communication industries. The opto-electronics
in turn has often been driven by the development
industry has brought about such products as
and subsequent mass production of components to
compact disc players, laser printers, bar code
support these industries [2]. As component prices
scanners and laser pointers. The fiber optic
have fallen and quality improvements have been
communication industry has literally revolutionized
made, the ability of fiber optic sensors to displace
the telecommunication industry by providing higher
the traditional sensors for rotation, acceleration,
performance, more reliable telecommunication
electric and magnetic field measurement,
links with ever decreasing bandwidth cost. This
temperature, pressure, displacement, acoustics,
revolution is bringing about the benefits of high
vibration and linear and angular position, stress,
volume production to component users and a true
strain, humidity viscosity, chemical measurements
information super-highway built of glass [1]. In
and a host of other sensor applications, has been
parallel with these developments, fiber optic sensor
enhanced. In the early days of fiber optic sensor
technology has been a major user of technology

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technology, most commercially successful fiber detector are required.

optic sensors were squarely targeted at the markets A particularly useful feature of such fiber optic
where existing sensor technology was marginal or sensors is that they can, if required, provide
in many cases non-existent [3]. distributed sensing over distances of up to one
An optical fiber (or fibre) is a glass or plastic meter. Extrinsic fiber optic sensors use an optical
fiber that carries light along its length. Fiber optics fiber cable, normally a multi-mode one, to transmit
is the overlap of applied science and engineering modulated light from either a non-fiber optical
concerned with the design and application of sensor, or an electronic sensor connected to an
optical fibers. Optical fibers are widely used in optical transmitter. A major benefit of extrinsic
fiber-optic communications, which permits sensors is their ability to reach places which are
transmission over longer distances and at higher otherwise inaccessible [39].
bandwidths (data rates) than other forms of An example is the measurement of temperature
communications. Fibers are used instead of metal inside aircraft jet engines by using a fiber to
wires because signals travel along them with less transmit radiation into a radiation pyrometer
loss, and they are also immune to electromagnetic located outside the engine. Extrinsic sensors can
interference [38]. also be used in the same way to measure the
Light is kept in the core of the optical fiber by internal temperature of electrical transformers,
total internal reflection. This causes the fiber to act where the extreme electromagnetic fields present
as a waveguide. Fibers which support many make other measurement techniques impossible.
propagation paths or transverse modes are called Extrinsic sensors are used to measure vibration,
multi-mode fibers (MMF), while those which can rotation, displacement, velocity, acceleration,
only support a single mode are called single-mode torque, and twisting.
fibers (SMF). Multi-mode fibers generally have a The inherent advantages of fiber optic sensors
larger core diameter, and are used for short-distance which include their ability to be light-weight of
communication links and for applications where very small size, passive, low power, resistant to
high power must be transmitted. Single-mode fibers electromagnetic interference, high sensitivity, wide
are used for most communication links longer than bandwidth and environmental ruggedness were
550 meters (600 yards). heavily used to offset their major disadvantages of
Fibers are also used for illumination, and are high cost and unfamiliarity to the end-user [40].
wrapped in bundles so they can be used to carry Generally, optical fibers are used for
images, thus allowing viewing in tight spaces. communication. However, these days optical fibers
Specially designed fibers are used for a variety of are being increasingly used in sensing applications
other applications, including sensors and fiber in the area of civil structures, novel materials,
lasers [38]. Fibers have many uses in remote medicines, aerospace, power generation,
sensing. In some applications, the sensor is itself an transportation, military and scientific research [1-
optical fiber. In other cases, fiber is used to connect 9]. Their insensitivity to electromagnetic radiations
a non-fiberoptic sensor to a measurement system. offers wide usage in places where other instruments
Depending on the application, fiber may be used are unable to function properly due to effects of
because of its small size, or the fact that no radiations. Besides being EMI / RFI immune,
electrical power is needed at the remote location, or optical fibers are electrically inert and its flexibility
because many sensors can be multiplexed along the and small size makes routing easy [5].
length of a fiber by using different wavelengths of Nuclear environments are one such place where
light for each sensor, or by sensing the time delay optical fiber sensors are being used. However,
as light passes along the fiber through each sensor. when optical fibers are exposed to ionizing
Time delay can be determined using a device such radiations it results in a wavelength-dependent
as an optical time-domain reflectometer [38]. attenuation increase [10-13]. The use of fiber bragg
Optical fibers can be used as sensors to measure grating sensors can circumvent this problem.
strain, temperature, pressure and other quantities by Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) are spectral filters
modifying a fiber so that the quantity to be fabricated within the segments of optical fibers.
measured modulates the intensity, phase, They typically reflect light over a narrow
polarization, wavelength or transit time of light in wavelength range and transmit all other
the fiber. Sensors that vary the intensity of light are wavelengths, but they also can be designed to have
the simplest, since only a simple source and more complex spectral responses [4].

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Many users exist for FBGs in today’s fiber 2 SOFTWARE METHODOLOGY USED
communication systems, which rely heavily on TO DESIGN THE FBG SENSOR
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
(DWDM) and optical amplification. Besides this, In this section, we describe the methodology that
FBGs have found applications in sensor systems, has been used in the software tool for designing the
which they stand out from all other technologies, in Fiber Bragg Grating sensor. The tool used is
the performance, reliability & the cost. A FBG GratingMODTM and is a general design tool for
consists of a periodic modulation of the index of analysing and synthesizing complicated grating
refraction along the core of an optical fiber. profiles in optical fibres and integrated wave-guide
FBGs are created by exposition of a circuits for a wide variety of photonic applications.
photosensitive fiber to an intensity pattern of UV Speedy algorithms, capable of handling gratings
light. In its basic form, the resulting grating reflects embedded in arbitrary wave-guide profiles, make
selectively the light guided by the optical fiber at the GratingMOD a synergistic addition to the Rsoft
the bragg wavelength λ = 2nΛ , where n and Λ are tool-suite. The following steps give a brief
the effective index of refraction of the fiber and the introduction about the various concepts that are
pitch of the grating in the fiber respectively [14]. used in the design and simulation of the FBG
Various types of simulation software packages sensor that is done in our research work using the
are available on the Internet like PC-Grate, Grating MOD tool.
GratingMod, SPSS, FOGS, etc for the simulation of ƒ Setting up of the fiber
a FBG sensor. Complete documentation in the form ƒ The grating layout utility
of user guides and manuals are available as .pdf ƒ Modifying the utility output
files and support is also available in the form of ƒ Displaying the index profile
example model files. FBG model can be ƒ Performing the first simulation
constructed using one of these software packages ƒ Performing the second simulation
and simulated to evaluate grating efficiency for ƒ Decorating the plots (optional)
various grating shape parameters, number of plane ƒ Reflection spectra & delay vs. wavelength
sections and wavelengths [7].
In this research paper, an optical FBG sensor 3. DESIGN OF THE FBG SENSOR
model is being simulated with the help of advanced FBG’s are flexible and affordable components
software modules such as the GratingMODTM and in many of the fiber optic systems. A whole host of
the modeled sensor is evaluated for the grating fiber parameters can be modified in order to obtain
efficiency for various grating shape parameters, a desired spectral performance, including, index
pitch, the number of plane sections and different modulation, structure length, apodization, chirp and
wavelengths. Finally, the results are summarized. the ability to control the type and the number of
Before actually inscribing the grating in the fiber, both forward and backward propagating modes. In
simulation tools provide a valuable help in this work, we are using the GratingMOD to simply
optimizing the design parameters [6] which is being change the refractive index modulation depth of a
taken care of in our research work. FBG and note the changes in the reflection spectra.
The paper [40] is organized in the following The user is encouraged further to explore the effects
sequence. A brief introduction to the related work of apodization, chirp and grating length on their
and the literature survey, i.e., about the optic fiber own [8].
sensors and about the FBGs was presented in the Fiber Bragg Gratings are based on the principle
previous paragraphs, i.e., in section 1. The section 2 of Bragg reflection. When light propagates through
depicts the information about the software periodically alternating regions of higher and lower
methodology used to design the FBG sensor. In the refractive index, it is partially reflected at each
section 3, the design details of the FBG sensor is interface between those regions. If the spacing
presented with the step-by-step procedure. Next, between those regions is such that all the partial
the simulation results along with the discussions reflections add up in phase when the round trip of
about the work touched upon in this paper is the light between two reflections is an integral
presented. Further, this section is followed by the number of wavelengths, the total reflection can
conclusions & the scope for future work in this grow nearly 100 %, even if the individual
area, acronyms, the references & the biographies. reflections are very small.

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Of course, that condition will hold only for helps us in optimal design of fiber Bragg grating
specific wavelengths. For all other wavelengths, sensors before fabricating [31]. Different operations
the out of phase reflections end up cancelling each are involved in the design of the FBG sensor, which
other, resulting in high transmission. The condition could be briefly discussed as follows one after
for high reflection is known as Bragg condition. another.
FBG consists of a periodic modulation of the index
of refraction along the core of an optical fiber as 3.1 SETTING UP OF THE FIBER
shown in Fig. 1. Consider a simple uniform FBG and define the
FBG via a sinusoidal index perturbation along the
propagation axis of the fiber. The fiber cladding
index normally chosen is to be around 1.45, and in
this paper, it is assumed to be infinite. The fiber
core will be 5.25 μm in diameter, and will have an
index of 1.458. The modulation depth of the index
perturbation will be varied in order to visualize the
Fig. 1 : Principle of operation of a FBG sensor changes in the grating performance around a
FBG sensors are based on the fact that the particular central wave-length. Note that the 3D
Bragg wavelength changes with change in the pitch structure type is a fiber, simulation tool used is
of the grating and the change in the refractive index Grating MOD & the profile type is a step index /
[15]. Thus, any physical parameter (like single mode.
temperature, stress, strain) which causes change in
the above mentioned parameters can be sensed 3.2 THE GRATING LAYOUT UTILITY
using a FBG, by measuring the shift in the Bragg
wavelength or the change in reflection coefficient The grating layout utility is used to speed up
of a particular wavelength [27]. the time needed to produce this type of grating for
The manufacturing techniques for Fiber Bragg the particular specification chosen by us. Open the
Gratings are still evolving. The earliest and still one grating layout utility via the utility option in the
of the most popular, side writing methods for CAD menu. Set the layout option to fiber, the
producing fiber gratings is the UV holographic [16- grating type to volume index, and the modulation
18]. This uses two-beam interference from depth to 0.0012 in order to specify that we wish to
amplitude splitting mirror interferometer to create an index modulated fiber structure.
fabricate the gratings [28]. The UV holographic Then, set the width and height to 5.25 μm, and
method has the advantage of being a flexible delta to 0.008 to set the index and geometry related
system which allows gratings to be written over a parameters. Finally, enter a layout file meta pre-fix
wide range of wavelengths, but does require a such as fbg and click the OK button. The file,
mechanically stable experimental set-up for CW or fbg.ind, will be created and will be opened
multipulse writing. Adjusting the angle of automatically in the CAD window [9] as shown in
intersection between the two writing beams the Fig. 2.
controls the Bragg wavelength. Another common The created file fbg.ind contains a single fiber
method of grating fabrication is to use a phase mask
segment with the desired index perturbation. The
[29].
user is encouraged to explore the segment
In the usual near field configuration, the
properties dialog box, which can be accessed by
diffracted first order beams from the phase mask
interfere at the optical fiber placed in close right-clicking on the segment. This dialog box
proximity to the phase mask surface. In the far field controls all the parameters for the fiber, including
version the +/− 1 order beams are reflected off the the index modulation and perturbation. In this case,
sides of a fused silica block before they are the index perturbation is set by a user-defined
recombined at the optical fiber [30]. grating taper function [10].
The phase mask techniques are less sensitive to
environmental disturbances and produce gratings 3.3 MODIFYING THE UTILITY OUTPUT
with highly repeatable characteristics. Once the basic structure is defined, we need to
Manufacturing facility for fiber Bragg gratings make several additional modifications in order to
involves huge infrastructure and financial obtain the desired structure. Open the global
involvement. Simulation is an important tool which setting dialog box, and change the value of the

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background index to 1.45. This effectively sets the used to resolve the index along Z. Finally, press
cladding index of the fiber as we have assumed that the Display…. button and change the index max
the cladding is infinite. Next, we need to set the from its default value to background_index +
length of the grating. delta*(1 + ModDepth).

Fig. 2 : The GratingMOD grating layout utility

Fig. 3 : The simulation parameters for the index
window used to create a simple uniform FBG structure
profile calculations.
For this example, we will set the length of the
This will set the maximum value for the
grating to N = 10,000 periods. To do this, open the
displayed index equal to the maximum value of the
symbol table and define a new symbol N and set it
index along the grating. Press OK twice to
equal to 1e4. Then, set the value of the pre-defined
calculate the index profile. To do this, press the
symbol Length to N*Period. The symbol length
Compute Index Profile button in the CAD window.
has been set up to define the length of the segment.
In order to better resolve the grating structure, we
The symbol period is also pre-defined, but as we
will only calculate the profile for the first 10
will see later, its value will be chosen by
periods. To do this, set the Z-domain max to
GratingMOD via the Bragg condition in order to fix
10*Period. Then, press the display… button and
the desired central wavelength [11].
change the Index Max from its default value to
background_index + delta + ModDelta [13]. This
3.4 DISPLAYING THE INDEX PROFILE will set the maximum value for the displayed index
Once the fiber geometry and index information equal to the maximum value of the index along the
has been specified, it is recommended that the user grating. Press OK twice to calculate the index
check the index profile before proceeding to a profile as shown in the Fig. 3.
simulation in order to ensure that the desired Note that we are only calculating a profile for the
structure has been produced. To do this, press the first 10 periods in order to better visualize the
compute index profile button in the CAD window, grating structure. After the computation is
i.e., select the compute index profile button. completed, the index profile will be displayed and
In order to better resolve the grating structure, we the index perturbation appears quite clearly [14] as
will only calculate the profile for the first 10 shown in the Fig. 4.
periods. To do this, set the Z-domain max to The next step in the design is to calculate the
10*Period [12]. Also, set the Z-compute step and reflection spectra and the delay. Here, we will
Z-slice step to 0.1 to ensure that enough points are analyse the reflection spectra and group delay for

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various index modulation depths. We will produce from the simulation to disk. Finally, set an output
the results for a modulation depth of both 0.0012 prefix such as bragg_12 and click OK to perform
and 0.0003 and then display these results later. the simulation [17].

Fig. 4 : The computed index profile for a uniform FBG Fig. 5 : The GratingMod simulation parameters for the
grating analysis
3.5 PERFORMING THE FIRST SIMULATION
Before starting the simulation process, note that
we have set the grating to have a 0.0012
modulation depth. This is done via the symbol
ModDelta, which was defined by the grating layout
utility.
To perform the simulation, click the Perform
Simulation Icon in the CAD window to open the
GratingMod analysis dialog box. Be sure that the
simulation module is set to Grating analysis, which
indicates that a grating analysis will be performed
[15].
As discussed earlier, we are going to fix the
central wavelength and allow the GratingMod to
calculate the Period in order to satisfy the Bragg
condition. Fig. 6 (a) : The simulation results from the first
To enable this, select Fix Centre Wavelength and grating analysis
then set the wavelength to 1.55. For this example, The reflection spectrum contained in the file shown,
the default values for the rest of the simulation bragg_12.dat. Note that the grating period automatically
parameters are appropriate [16] as shown in Fig. 5. calculated to satisfy the Bragg condition is displayed on
Next, click the output…. button in order to set the top of the graph.
the output options for this simulation. Set output After the automatic mode calculation, the
spectrum to reflected and show the delay / reflected spectrum will be shown. The data from
dispersion to yes. This will save the desired data this simulation has been saved in the files with the

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prefix bragg_12 with the associated plot files. For 3.7 DECORATING THE PLOTS (OPTIONAL)
instance, the reflection spectrum data is saved in the This section contains optional tutorial steps which
file bragg_12.dat with an associated WinPLOT file guide the user through the usage of WinPLOT.
bragg_12.pics. The first simulation results are While not necessary for the usage of GratingMOD,
shown in the Figs. 6(a) & (b) respectively. The this section is recommended for the users who wish
user is encouraged to look through the contents of to understand the WinPLOT and use it to
the current working directory in order to see the effectively display the simulation data.
files produced [18].

st
Fig. 7 (b) : Simulation results from 1st grating analysis
Fig. 6 (b) : Simulation results from 1 grating analysis The delay information is contained in the file
The delay information is contained in the file bragg_03_delay_dispersion.pcs
bragg_12_delay_dispersion.pcs
Once the two simulations have been completed,
3.6 PERFORMING SECOND SIMULATION we can display the results in a different, and
Once the first simulation is complete, a second hopefully more meaningful, way. Both the
simulation can be performed with a modulation simulations produced a few data files and their
depth of 0.0003. Change the value of ModDelta to corresponding WinPlot files [20].
0.0003, set the output prefix to a different name,
such as bragg_03 and perform a second simulation.
The results will be saved in files with the prefix
bragg_03.dat [19]. The second simulation results
are shown in the Figs. 7(a) & (b) respectively.

Fig. 8 : Reflection spectra vs. normalized wavelength

for uniform FBG shown for 2 different index modulation
depths. Note that the x-axis corresponds to normalized
wavelengths.
We are going to create new plot files in order to
display the reflected spectrum of both gratings on
the same plot, as well plots for the reflected
Fig. 7 (a) : The simulation results from the first grating spectrum & delay for each grating on the same plot
analysis
respectively. This will not only result in useful
The reflection spectrum contained in the file shown,
bragg_03.dat. Note that the grating period automatically graphs, but it will provide a basic training in the use
calculated to satisfy the Bragg condition is displayed on of the data display program WinPLOT. It is
the top of the graph. sometimes useful to see two reflection spectra

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displayed on the same graph as is shown in the Fig.

8.
3.8 GRAPHS OF REFLECTION SPECTRA
In this section, we plot the graphs of reflection
spectra’s v/s the wavelength.
(i) REFLECTION SPECTRA v/s
NORMALIZED WAVE-LENGTH
To create a graph as shown in the Fig. 8, we
will utilize the data contained in the files
bragg_12.dat and bragg_03.dat [22]. To do this, we
will create a WinPLOT command file
reflection_spectra.pcs by either modifying an
existing file in WinPLOT or with any text editor Fig. 10 : Reflection spectra & group delay vs.
such as notepad or emacs [23] is created. Some of normalized wavelength for uniform FBG shown for 2
the commands used are shown in Fig. 9. different index modulation depths. Note that x-axis
corresponds to normalized wavelengths
(15 % index modulation)

Fig. 9 : The WinPLOT command file used to Fig. 11 : The WinPLOT command file used to
create the plot shown in the Fig. 6 create the above plot.
(ii) REFLECTION SPECTRA & DELAY VS. A similar plot can also be created for the uniform
WAVELENGTH FBG with 0.0003 index modulation. The graph
It can also be useful to plot the reflection shown in the Fig. 12 can be created in the same
spectra and group delay on the same plot. The Fig. manner as in previous figure by simply changing
10 shows the type of plot for a uniform FBG with a the file names from bragg_12.dat and bragg_12.dly
index modulation of 0.0012[24]. To create this to bragg_03.dat and bragg_03.dly [26].
graph as shown in the Fig. 10, we will utilize the
reflection spectra data contained in the first column
of the file bragg_12.dat and the group delay data
contained in the first column of the file
bragg_12.dly.
To do this, we will create a win plot command
file bragg_12_results_pcs by either modifying an
existing file in the WinPLOT or with any text editor
such as notepad or emacs. The commands shown
in the Fig. 11 were used to obtain the plot shown in
the Fig. 10 and are similar to those used in the file
shown in the previous plot in Fig. 8 [25]. The new
commands are :
Fig. 12 : The reflection spectra and group delay vs. wave
length for a uniform FBG with 3.75 % index modulation

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4. Simulation Results & Discussions

In this section, we present the simulation
results and also present a brief report on the
simulation results.
Simulation of the FBG sensor was performed
with a powerful simulation tool. The following
parameters were chosen for the construction of
FBG model. Single mode optical fiber of core
diameter 7 μm was chosen. Index of refraction of
the core was fixed as 1.46 and index difference as
0.01. The length of the grating was taken as 1 mm
under unperturbed conditions.
The approximate number of grating pitches in
this length is 2000 [32]. Care was taken to ensure
that the simulated strain induced is well within the
limits of the breaking strain, which is
approximately 4 % [15]. For another reflection
spectra, the following parameters were chosen and
the simulations were carried out and one such result
is shown in Fig. 12. The parameters chosen are
Simulation tool : Grating MOD
Profile type : Step index, single mode
Structure type : Fiber
Grating type : Volume index
Fig. 13 : The GratingMOD grating layout utility window
Modulation depth : 0.0012 which is used to create a simple uniform FBG structure

Waveguide width : 5.25 μm

Waveguide height : 5.25 μm
n = 10,000
Period = 0.5
Length = n * period = 5000
Fix wavelength = 1.0275 μm

The sequence of windowing operations used for

designing the grating sensor with the chosen
specifications is shown in the Figs. 13-21
respectively.
The wavelength of the interrogating light signal
was chosen as 1550 nm since it falls in the third
window and suffers minimum attenuation during
communication from Fiber Bragg Grating sensor to
the electronic instrumentation [16].

Fig. 14 : Window 1 - selection of parameter specs

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Fig. 15 : Window 2 - selection of parameter specs Fig. 17 : Window 4 - selection of parameter specs

Fig. 16 : Window 3 - selection of parameter specs Fig. 18 : Window 5 - selection of parameter specs

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Fig. 21 : Simulation result-2, Comparison of relative

power vs. wavelength at 2 different wavelengths, i.e.,
Fig. 19 : Window 6 - selection of parameter specs 1.0075 μm & 1.0275 μm
Optical fiber attenuation as a function of
wavelength is shown in the Fig. 22. Iterations were
performed to arrive at the optimal pitch for this
wavelength and after several round of iterations.
Finally, it was found out that for a grating pitch of
0.5325 μm & for a wavelength of 1550 nm a
maximum reflection of 94.69 % was obtained for
the designed sensor, i.e., in other words, for a
grating pitch of 0.5325 μm, maximum reflected
power was recorded at a wave-length of 1550 nm.
This result is shown in Fig. 23 [33].

Fig. 20 : Simulation result-1, Grating spectral response,

i.e., relative power vs. wavelength (wavelength chosen as
1.0075 μm) Fig. 22 : Optic fiber attenuation as a function of wave-
length

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Fig. 23 : Reflected power as a function of wavelength at Fig. 25 : Reflected power as a function of wavelength
1550 nm
with fiber having pitch 0.5324 μm. Reflected power at
The effect of strain in elongating the optical 1550 nm is approximately 93%
fiber and thus the grating pitch has been simulated
by taking the output graphs by varying the grating In Fig. 26, we can observe that for a grating
pitch from 0.5323 μm to 0.5327 μm in regular pitch of 0.5326 μm, the reflectivity of the chosen
intervals of 0.0001 μm [36]. wavelength of 1550 nm had reduced to
From these results, we observe that change in approximately 91.5 %.
the pitch of the grating changes the reflection
coefficient of the interrogating wavelength 1550
nm. By observing this change, the strain in the fiber
can be calculated and the corresponding
measurements can be made.
In Fig. 24, we can observe that for a grating
pitch of 0.5323 μm, the reflectivity of the chosen
wavelength of 1550 nm had reduced to
approximately 81.5 % [37].

Fig. 26 : Reflected power as a function of wavelength

with fiber having pitch 0.5326 μm. Reflected power at
1550 nm is approximately 91.5%

In Fig. 27, we can observe that for a grating

pitch of 0.5327 μm, the reflectivity of the chosen
wavelength of 1550 nm had further reduced to 81
% [37].
Thus, we can conclude that change in the pitch,
Fig. 24 : Reflected power as a function of wavelength changed the reflectivity of the interrogating
with fiber having pitch 0.5323 μm. Reflected power at wavelength.
1550 nm is approximately 81.5 % The simulation results shown in the following
In the Fig. 25, we can see that for a grating Figs. 23 - 27 depict the effectiveness of the
pitch of 0.5324 μm, the reflectivity of the chosen developed method to design a FBG sensor. Also,
wavelength of 1550 nm had reduced to the designed & simulated sensor characteristics
approximately 93 %. were also studied.

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Bragg grating sensor for strain measurement by

first estimating approximately the grating pitch for
maximum reflective power for a given interrogating
wavelength and then characterizing the sensor by
varying the grating pitch as it would change on
application of strain and noting the decrease in
reflected power for the chosen wavelength.
So, before actually inscribing the grating in the
fiber, simulation tools provide valuable help in
optimizing the design parameters. FBG sensors are
based on the fact that the Bragg wavelength
changes with change in the pitch of the grating and
the change in the refractive index. Thus, any
physical parameter (like temperature, strain, stress)
which causes changes in the above mentioned
parameters can be sensed using a FBG, by
Fig. 27 : Reflected power as a function of wavelength measuring the shift in the Bragg wavelength or the
with fiber having pitch 0.5327 μm . Reflected power at a change in reflection coefficient of a particular
reflectivity of 1550 nm is approx 81 % wavelength.
When we interrogate the fiber bragg grating
The final simulation results for different pitch with a light of given wavelength, the reflection
considerations and percentage of reflected powers coefficient changes with the change in the grating
is summarized in the form of a table as shown pitch & / or the refractive index induced by the
below in Table 1. physical parameter to be measured. So, FBG is a
longitudinal periodic variation of the index of the
No. Pitch Wave-length Relative power
refraction in the core of an optical fiber. The
1. 0.5323 μm 1550 nm 81.5 %
spacing of the variation is determined by the
2. 0.5324 μm 1550 nm 93 % wavelength of the light to be reflected.
3. 0.5325 μm 1550 nm 94.6 % In this research work undertaken which is
4. 0.5326 μm 1550 nm 91.5 % presented in this paper, we are considering the
5. 0.5327 μm 1550 nm 81 % physical parameter as strain to be sensed using a
Fiber Bragg Grating sensor, we can further consider
Table 1: Reflected power as a function of wavelength
other parameters such as rotation, acceleration,
From these simulated results shown in the electric field & magnetic field measurement,
above table and from the graphical simulations, we temperature, pressure, displacement, acoustics,
can come to a conclusion that increase in the pitch vibration and linear and angular position, stress,
will change the reflectivity of the interrogating strain, humidity viscosity and chemical
wavelength. It can be observed from the graphs measurements in which, the refractive index could
(simulation results) that the reflection coefficient at also be included. Several softwares provide facility
interrogating wavelength of 1550 nm can be same to plot the graphs between the wavelengths vs.
for two different pitches, one lesser and one greater reflective power to find the efficiency of the FBG
than the grating pitch of 0.5325 μm (which give sensor, which can also be taken up as a future work.
Bragg wavelength of 1550 nm). Therefore, before Also, the simulated FBG sensor could be fabricated
measuring any physical parameter, it has to be and tested for the reliability. Conducting a real
determined in which direction the pitch would time experiment, which can be a future work, can
change [35]. also validate the experimental results and the
simulated results.
5. Conclusions
6. Abbreviations
Simulation of a FBG sensor for minimum
OFBG Optical Fiber Bragg Grating
attenuation criteria has been worked on and
presented in this paper. From the outcome of this FBG Fiber Bragg Grating
research work depicted in this paper, one can MMF Multi-Mode Fibers
design a FBG sensor starting from the fundamental SMF Single-Mode Fiber
concepts using a software tool. Using the EMI Electro Magnetic Interference
simulation tools, it is possible to design the fiber RFI Radio Frequency Interference

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WDM Wavelength Division Multiplexing [7] Fernandez Fernandez A., Brichard A.,
DWDM Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Berghmans F., “In Situ Measurement of
CAD Computer Aided Design Refractive Index Changes Induced by
BW Bandwidth Gamma Radiation in Germanosilicate
UV Ultraviolet Fibers”, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters,
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[8] Fernandez Fernandeza A., et.al., “Multi-
7. Acknowledgements component force sensors based on fiber
We would like to acknowledge Shri. Mohan Bragg grating strain sensors for highly
Manghnani, Chairman, NHEI, Dr. H.G. radioactive environments”.
Chandrakanth, Principal of NHCE for providing the [9] Fernando G.F., Webb D.J., and Pierre
facilities for writing the paper in this renowned Ferdinand, “Optical-Fiber Sensors”, Guest
institution, the NHCE. We also thank all our Editors, www.mrs.org/publications/bulletin
colleagues directly or indirectly for helping us [10] François Ouellette, “Fiber Bragg Gratings”,
while developing this paper. We also thank all the Communications Research Center.
faculties of NIT Kurukshetra for providing the base [11] Fuhr P L, Huston D R, Kajenski P J &
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pp. 148-156. Dept., National Institute of Technology,
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physics and energy, pp. 172-173, Feb 8-9,
2002. Mrs. Reema Sharma was born in Batala, Dist.
[27] Per Eklund, Staffan Rydblom, “Fiber optic Gurdaspur, Punjab, India on
sensors”, Report in TFFY22 Optoelectronics. Apr. 4, 1980 & received the
[28] Quiett C.J., Lindesay J.V., Lyons D.R., “The B.Tech. Degree from the
Design Of Fiber Optic Sensors For prestigious Punjab Technical
Measuring Hydrodynamic Parameters”, University (PTU) in
Research Center for Optical Physics, Jalandhar, Punjab in the year
Hampton University. 2001 in First Class and
[29] Rego G., Fernandez Fernandez A., Santos JL, M.Tech. in Electronics &
Salgado H., Berghmans F., and Gusarov A., Communication Engg. from
“Optical fiber sensors for nuclear the prestigious National Institute of Technology
environments”, Proc. Applied Physics, 2003. Kurukshetra (formerly, Regional Engg. College) in
[30] Rosenfeldt H., Ch .Knothe, J. Cierullies, E. 2005 in First Class with distinction, respectively.
Brinkmeyer, “Evolution of Amplitude and She has got an industrial experience of 1 year and
Dispersion Spectra during Fiber Bragg teaching experience of more than 3 years in various
Grating Fabrication”. engineering colleges all over the country and is
[31] Thomas Edward Murphy, Jeffrey Todd currently working as a Lecturer in the Department
Hastings, and Henry I. Smith, “Fabrication of Electronics and Communication Engineering in
and Characterization of Narrow-Band Bragg- New Horizon College of Engineering in Bangalore,
Reflection Filters in Silicon-on-Insulator Karnataka, India, which is affiliated to
Ridge Waveguides”, Journal Of Light wave Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum.
Technology, pp. 1938-1942, 2001. She has also participated, coordinated in a number

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of workshops & other events. She has also guided of the ISTE (India), life member of ISOI (India),
few projects & presented few papers in national & life member of SSI (India) and life member of the
international events. She has also developed a CSI (India) and life member cum fellow of the
number of programs in the field of VHDL, signal IETE (India). He has also presented a number of
processing & image processing. She has also guest lectures and various seminars and participated
worked as a coordinator for various items in her in more than a dozen CEP / DEP courses, seminars,
academic career. Her current areas of interest are workshops, symposiums in the various parts of the
Operation research, Digital Signal Processing & country in different institutions and also conducted
Digital Image Processing, Digital switching a few courses. He has visited Singapore, Russia,
systems, Digital communications, Optic fiber United States of America and Australia for the
communications & its allied subjects. presentation of his research papers in various
international conferences. My biography was
Dr. T.C. Manjunath was born in Bangalore, published in 23rd edition of Marquis’s Who’s Who
Karnataka, India on Feb. 6, in the World in the 2006 issue. He has also guided
1967 & received the B.E. more than 2 dozen robotic projects
Degree from the prestigious (B.Tech./M.Tech.) in various engineering colleges
R.V. College of Engg. where he had worked so far. Many of his guided
(Bangalore University) in projects, interviews have appeared in various
1989 in First Class and M.E. national newspapers and magazines. He has also
with specialization in presented a number of guest lectures and various
Automation, Control and seminars and participated in more than a dozen
Robotics from L.D. College CEP / DEP courses, seminars, workshops,
of Engg. (Gujarat University) in 1995 in First Class symposiums in the various parts of the country in
with Distinction and Ph.D. in the field of Systems different institutions and also conducted (convened
and Control Engineering from the prestigious & coordinated) more than 1 dozen courses /
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT workshops / symposiums / technical festivals. He
Bombay) in the year 2007, respectively. He has got has also reviewed many research papers for the
a teaching experience of nearly 20 long years in various international conferences such as IEEE
various engineering colleges all over the country IECON-06, IEEE-ISIE-2007, NSC-07, SICE-2009,
(Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra) and IEEE-WCSN-07, IEEE-PSACO2008, etc., and has
is currently working as Professor and Head of the also reviewed many journal papers for journals
Department of Electronics and Communication such as IJAMT, etc.,. He has also given many
Engineering in New Horizon College of invited talks / plenary lecturers in various national
Engineering in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He & international conferences, workshops,
also worked as a Project Assistant and as a symposiums and chaired many sessions & also
Research Engineer in the Systems and Control conducted more than half a dozen courses /
Engineering (IIT Bombay, India) for nearly a year workshops / technical paper fests / student level
and worked on control of space launch vehicles technical symposiums, etc., in various colleges
using FOS feedback technique. He has published a where he has worked. My Ph.D. research work was
number of papers in various National, International based on the mathematical modeling, control and
journals and Conferences and published three implementation of smart structures and its
textbooks on Robotics, one of which has gone upto applications to Robotics, Aerospace & Civil Engg.
the fourth edition, titled, ‘Fast Track to Robotics’ His current research interests are in the area of
and the other, which has gone upto the fifth edition, Robotics, Smart Structures, Control systems,
titled, ‘Fundamentals of Robotics’ in 2 volumes, Network theory, Mechatronics, Process Control and
Vol.-1 and Vol.-2 along with a CD which contains Instrumentation, MATLAB, Signals and systems
about 150 C / C++ programs for performing various (CT and DT), Industrial automation, Artificial
simulations on robotics. He has also published a intelligence, Digital signal processing, Digital
research monograph in the International level from Image Processing, Periodic output feedback
the Springer-Verlag publishers based on his Ph.D. control, Fast output feedback control, Sliding mode
thesis topic titled, “Modeling, Control and control of SISO and multivariable systems and
Implementation of Smart Structures”, Vol. 350, many of the control related subjects and its allied
LNCIS, costing 79.95 Euros & was a student labs and their various applications.
member of IEEE for 6 years (currently, a member),
SPIE student member and IOP student member for
4 years, life member of ISSS (India), life member

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