Abstract: An optical fiber sensor for detecting curvature of a body/structure comprises a cladding having an outer periphery. A central core receives and transmits light. The central core has Bragg gratings and is positioned in neutral planes of the cladding. Peripheral cores receive and transmit light. The peripheral cores have Bragg gratings and are peripherally positioned in the cladding with respect to the neutral planes. A connection configuration is provided in the outer periphery of the cladding to attach the optical fiber sensor to a body/structure such that the central core and the peripheral cores are in a predetermined orientation with respect to the body/structure to measure curvature of the body/structure.

Abstract: An optical fiber sensor for detecting curvature of a body/structure comprises a cladding having an outer periphery. A central core receives and transmits light. The central core has Bragg gratings and is positioned in neutral planes of the cladding. Peripheral cores receive and transmit light. The peripheral cores have Bragg gratings and are peripherally positioned in the cladding with respect to the neutral planes. A connection configuration is provided in the outer periphery of the cladding to attach the optical fiber sensor to a body/structure such that the central core and the peripheral cores are in a predetermined orientation with respect to the body/structure to measure curvature of the body/structure.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting an optical signal through a downstream link of a Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) optical communications network, comprising a detector/filter for monitoring wavelength channels at an upstream link. An input source/filter transmits the optical signal in the wavelength channels through the downstream link. A controller receives data to be transmitted as an optical signal. The controller is connected to the detector/filter for detecting unused wavelength channels as a function of the monitoring from the detector/filter, for selecting one of the unused wavelength channels, and being connected to the input source/filter for controlling the transmission of an optical signal associated with the data on the selected wavelength channel.