Chromatic processing for extracting intelligence from optical fibre sensor signals

This contribution is concerned with describing a methodology used with optical fibre sensing systems for compressing the signal content in such a manner that the total frequency or wavelength range is covered, yet a very high sensitivity to detailed changes in the signal is promoted. The methodology is applicable not only to the spectral content of the optical signal itself but also to the time variation of the sensor output. The method whereby this is achieved relies upon chromatic signal processing which is being applied to the optical, acoustical and other domains in relation to optical fibre sensing