Parameter measurement systems and methods having a neural network comprising parameter output means
AssigneesHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., Florida Institute of Technology
InventorsBarry G. Grossman, Frank M. Caimi
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Abstract
A system for measuring the value of a parameter, e.g., structural strain, includes an optical waveguide, a laser or equivalent light source for launching coherent light into the waveguide to propagate therein as multi modes, an array of a plurality of spaced apart photodetectors each comprising a light receptor surface and signal output, said array being arranged to have light emitted from said waveguide output portion irradiate said light receptor surfaces, an artificial neural network formed of a plurality of spaced apart neurons, connectors to impose weighted portions of signal outputs from the photodetectors upon the neurons which register the parameter value on a meter or like output device.
Claims14
A system for measuring the value of a parameter which comprises:
- a single, multimode optical waveguide having an input portion and an output portion,
- means for launching monochromatic coherent light into said input portion to propagate as multi modes in said waveguide,
- an array of a plurality of spaced apart photodetectors each comprising a light receptor surface and signal output, said array being arranged to have light emitted from said waveguide output portion irradiate said light receptor surfaces,
- an artificial neural network comprising a plurality of spaced apart neurons,
- connector means to operatively impose weighted portions of said photodetector signal outputs upon said neurons and
- said neural network further comprising parameter value output means.
A system for measuring strain which comprises:
- a single, multimode longitudinal optical fiber having a core of substantially uniform circular cross-section throughout its length having an input end and an output end,
- means to launch a beam of monochromatic coherent light into said input end to propagate though said optical fiber in multi mode and exit said output end as modal spatial intensity patterns,
- an array of a plurality of spaced apart photodetectors each comprising a light receptor surface and signal output, said array being arranged to permit light emitted from said output end to irradiate said light receptor surfaces,
- an artifical neural network comprising a plurality of spaced apart neurons,
- connector means to operatively impose weighted portions of said photodetector signal outputs upon said neurons and
- said neural network further comprising strain value output means.
The method of measuring the value of a parameter which comprises:
- providing a single, multimode optical waveguide having an input portion and an output portion,
- imposing some intensity value of said parameter on said waveguide,
- launching a beam of monochromatic coherent light into said input portion so that such light propagates as multi modes in said waveguide and exits said output portion as a modal spatial intensity pattern related to said intensity of said parameter,
- providing an array of a plurality of spaced apart photodetectors each comprising a light receptor surface and signal output adjacent said output end to permit light emitted therefrom to irradiate said light receptor surfaces,
- providing an artificial neural network comprising a plurality of spaced apart neurons,
- imposing weighted portions of said photodetector signal outputs upon said neurons and
- obtaining the value of said parameter from said neural network.
The method of measuring the value of strain imposed on a structure which comprises:
- providing a single, multimode longitudinal optical fiber of substantially uniform circular cross-section throughout its length having an input end and an output end,
- launching a beam of monochromatic coherent light into said input end to propagate in multi mode along said fiber and exit said output end as modal spatial intensity patterns,
- imposing a strain of varying value on said optical fiber,
- providing an array of a plurality of spaced apart photodetectors each comprising a light receptor surface and signal output arranged to permit light emitted from said output end to irradiate said light receptor surfaces and produce electrical signals at said signal outputs,
- providing an artificial neural network comprising a plurality of spaced apart neurons,
- imposing weighted portions of said electrical signals upon said neurons via connections between said photodetector signal outputs and said neurons, and
- obtaining the value of said strain from said neural network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.