FBG Interrogators

FBG Interrogators for every application

PhotonFirst understands that every sensing application presents unique challenges. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of PIC-based (Photonic Integrated Circuits) FBG interrogation systems, from compact, off-the-shelf solutions ideal for rapid deployment to highly customized systems designed to meet the most demanding requirements.

Whether you need to integrate photonic sensing into a small, portable device or monitor large-scale infrastructure, PhotonFirst delivers the flexibility and performance you need.

Our range of interrogators

GTR image

GTR

- 1 optical channel
- 8 FBG sensors
- 19.23 kHz sampling frequency

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SGTR image

SGTR

- 8 optical channels
- 8 FBG sensors per channel
- Maximum sampling frequency (1 ch.) 19.23 kHz

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Nexus-100 image

Nexus-100

- 1 channel
- Up to 100 FBG sensors
- Up to 50 kHz sampling frequency

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AEROSPACE INTERROGATOR

Coming soon!

The all new Aerospace Interrogator, redesigned and re-developed to meet the demanding requirements in aerospace. 

- DO-160G qualified
- On board processing
- Extended operating temperature range

Black and White Minimalist Simple Coming Soon Instagram Post (1)

Custom FBG Interrogators

Different customer-specific requirements and operating environments demand varied interrogation functionalities. To date, PhotonFirst has developed more than 25 custom interrogation solutions aimed at:

  • Mini size interrogators
  • DO-160 compliant solutions (shock and vibration proof)
  • Specific data interfaces (Ethernet, CAN, SSI)
  • High precision measurements (<1 femtometer)
  • 2000 FBG sensing points per fiber
  • High speed (100kHz)

Depending on the customer's needs, we can define tailored solutions to meet their specific demands.

DO-160 qualification & HALT
DO-160 qualification & HALT
Operating on military helicopter blades while withstanding forces of up to 50G
Operating on military helicopter blades while withstanding forces of up to 50G
Tilt rotor blade monitoring and succesfull operation at 900 RPM
Tilt rotor blade monitoring and succesfull operation at 900 RPM
Miniaturization, USB-drive size interrogators.
Miniaturization, USB-drive size interrogators. 

1NTEGRATE: an integrated Structural Health Monitoring system for stationary and rotating aircraft components. More information click here

Why PIC-based interrogators?

The advantages of Photonic Integrated Circuits compared to electronic chips

PIC-based FBG interrogators offer a powerful combination of miniaturization, robustness, performance, and cost-effectiveness, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of sensing applications. Compared to conventional electronic chips Photonic Integrated Circuits offer valuable advantages:

  • Cost Reduction with Each New Chip Generation – As PIC technology matures, economies of scale drive down costs per chip, making each new generation more affordable. This contrasts with traditional bulk-optic designs that remain relatively expensive to manufacture. In the early days our system also cost € 50.000, today cost can go down to € 1.000 in volume.
  • Smaller System Footprint – PIC integration significantly reduces the size of the interrogator compared to free-space optics or fiber-based architectures. This enables compact (lucifer box), lightweight (<500 gram) designs suitable for space-constrained applications.
  • Ruggedness of the interrogator for harsh environment. PIC-based designs enhance resistance to shock, vibration, and EMC interference, making them ideal for aerospace and harsh industrial environments where compliance with DO-160G, MIL-STD-461 or MIL-STD-810 standards is required.

This combination of cost-effectiveness, miniaturization, and robustness makes PIC-based FBG interrogators highly attractive for demanding sensing applications.