Abstract: A fiber optic load sensor and method of forming the same are disclosed for sensing the load applied to a structural surface. The sensor comprises a length of fiber optic material disposed adjacent to the surface. The fiber optic material is connectable to a light source and to a light detector. The fiber optic material includes at least one curved portion deformable in response to the applied load. The curved portion is dimensioned such that the light passing through the fiber optic material is attenuated in linear relation to the deformation of the curved portion in response to the load applied to the surface.

Abstract: A fiber optic load measuring system, and method of constructing the same, are disclosed which comprises a light source, a fiber optic attenuator, a photodetector, and a signal processor. The fiber optic attenuator was formed to have a curved portion along the length thereof disposed in low transfer relation with the surface where the load is to be measured. The signal processor is adapted to receive signals from the photodetector and measure variations attributable to the application of a load on the surface. The processor is further adapted to linearly translate the detected variations to compute deformation of the curved portion in response to an applied load.

Abstract: A fiber optic load measuring system is disclosed comprising an optical pulse generator, an optical bus, a plurality of optical pulse routing switches, a plurality of optical attenuators disposed along the surface where the load is to be measured, a plurality of optical pulse routing switches, and a signal processor. The optical attenuators are each connected to a dedicated optical pulse routing switch and are adapted to vary the attenuation of the optical pulse in response to the applied load. The optical pulse routing switches are adapted to selectively direct the optical pulses to individual optical attenuators, such that each of the optical attenuators is separately and sequentially pulsed.

Abstract: First and second tabs are affixed to the surface of a body in close proximity with each other and in partially side by side relation. First and second optical fibers are affixed to the first and second tabs, respectively, and are movable therewith. The optical fibers are positioned transverse to the tabs and in alignment about a mechanical quiescent point in the absence of strain in the body. A source of light produces and directs light through the first and second optical fibers. A light detector detects light transmitted through the first and second optical fibers and determines the intensity thereof, which is proportional to the magnitude of compression and tension strains in the body.

Abstract: In a communication system for transmitting information over a dispersive link, a transmitted message is assembled to contain alternately arranged known and unknown pluralities of data symbols. At the transmitter, the known data symbols may be produced by a maximal length PN sequence generator, with an identical generator being provided at the receiver for reproducing the known symbol sequences to enable data recovery to be achieved. In the received signal processing equipment, the received message is subjected to a prescribed data recovery algorithm containing a transversal filter function and a data estimate refinement scheme which takes advantage of the a priori knowledge of data symbols of those portions of the transmitted message between which unknown data symbols are located. A transmitted message contains a plurality of successive frame, each frame containing N known data symbols followed by M unknown data symbols.