Multiplexing of fiber-optic acoustic sensors in a Michelson interferometer configuration.

A new multiplexing method demonstrating the separation of two series of geometrically arranged fiber-optic distributed sensors in a Michelson interferometer (MI) configuration has been developed. This method can acquire data from two sensors, then propagate the data into one channel, and finally separate the data by determining their working point, which is essential for some remote measurements. The working point of one sensor was deflected from the normal MI by introduction of two reference arms. The deflection was extracted electrically and employed to label the sensor. Verification with commercial piezoelectric transducers proves the efficiency of the method.