Description
The 1xN MEMS Serial Optical Switch was designed for operating with FSI’s economic commercial grade MS optical sensing interrogator. Featuring 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 channel options, the 1xN Switch is the ideal capacity expansion companion for the MS Interrogator. Enclosed in a 1U rack mount field deployable enclosure, the 1xN Switch can be operated directly from the MS instrument’s PicoSense software. The serial switch is designed for enabling static measurements of up to 30 Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) sensors on each channel.
Our family of rugged 1xN Serial Optical Switches is used extensively in many commercial applications. This economy model is specifically useful for monitoring slow changing events in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, mining, energy, and R&D programs. The industrial grade design scales well for volume production.
Benefits
Reduction of the monitoring cost per sensor. Accomplished by significant sensor capacity expansion for the company’s MS Interrogators. The 1xN Optical Switch provides means for measurements of up to 7,680 FBG based sensors using a single MS Optical Sensing Interrogator, enabling customers to recognize dramatic cost savings for their static monitoring systems.
High reliability: All 1xN Serial Optical Switch Modules are based on highly reliable and field proven MEMS switches, the same switches that are used in optical communication networks, and which have been deployed in large volume in various field applications and communication networks. The 1xN Optical Switches are a suitable pairing for the MS Interrogator for use as part of a rugged and reliable sensing system.
High Performance: Insertion Loss of less than 1.5 dB max per channel (typical < 1.0 dB) and Return Loss higher than 50 dB. Switching time for adjacent channels is less than 20ms.
Lowest Cost and High Quality: The 1xN Series of Serial Optical Switches have been optimized to address applications demanding the lowest cost while maintaining the quality and reliability of a high quality instrument. Expandable for up to 256 channels.