Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber
Shape-sensing optical fibers have become increasingly important in applications requiring flexible navigation, spatial awareness, and deformation monitoring. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors inscribed in multi-core optical fibers have been democratized over the years and nowadays offer a compact an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4494 |
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| author | Georgios Violakis Nikolaos Vardakis Zhenyu Zhang Martin Angelmahr Panagiotis Polygerinos |
| author_facet | Georgios Violakis Nikolaos Vardakis Zhenyu Zhang Martin Angelmahr Panagiotis Polygerinos |
| author_sort | Georgios Violakis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Shape-sensing optical fibers have become increasingly important in applications requiring flexible navigation, spatial awareness, and deformation monitoring. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors inscribed in multi-core optical fibers have been democratized over the years and nowadays offer a compact and robust platform for shape reconstruction. In this work, we propose a novel, computationally efficient method for determining the 3D tip position of a bent multi-core FBG-based optical fiber using a second-order polynomial approximation of the fiber’s shape. The method begins with a calibration procedure, where polynomial coefficients are fitted for known bend configurations and subsequently modeled as a function of curvature using exponential decay functions. This allows for real-time estimation of the fiber tip position from curvature measurements alone, with no need for iterative numerical solutions or high processing power. The method was validated using miniaturized test structures and achieved sub-millimeter accuracy (<0.1 mm) over a 4.5 mm displacement range. Its simplicity and accuracy make it suitable for embedded or edge-computing applications in confined navigation, structural inspection, and medical robotics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e9b9a48712e240e6a5c0bb2cd93aa87a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-e9b9a48712e240e6a5c0bb2cd93aa87a2025-08-20T03:32:15ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012514449410.3390/s25144494Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical FiberGeorgios Violakis0Nikolaos Vardakis1Zhenyu Zhang2Martin Angelmahr3Panagiotis Polygerinos4School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71410 Heraklion, GreeceSchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71410 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Fiber Optical Sensor Systems, Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, Am Stollen 19H, 38640 Goslar, GermanyDepartment of Fiber Optical Sensor Systems, Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, Am Stollen 19H, 38640 Goslar, GermanyControl Systems and Robotics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71004 Heraklion, GreeceShape-sensing optical fibers have become increasingly important in applications requiring flexible navigation, spatial awareness, and deformation monitoring. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors inscribed in multi-core optical fibers have been democratized over the years and nowadays offer a compact and robust platform for shape reconstruction. In this work, we propose a novel, computationally efficient method for determining the 3D tip position of a bent multi-core FBG-based optical fiber using a second-order polynomial approximation of the fiber’s shape. The method begins with a calibration procedure, where polynomial coefficients are fitted for known bend configurations and subsequently modeled as a function of curvature using exponential decay functions. This allows for real-time estimation of the fiber tip position from curvature measurements alone, with no need for iterative numerical solutions or high processing power. The method was validated using miniaturized test structures and achieved sub-millimeter accuracy (<0.1 mm) over a 4.5 mm displacement range. Its simplicity and accuracy make it suitable for embedded or edge-computing applications in confined navigation, structural inspection, and medical robotics.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4494optical fibersmulti-core optical fibersshape sensingshape reconstruction |
| spellingShingle | Georgios Violakis Nikolaos Vardakis Zhenyu Zhang Martin Angelmahr Panagiotis Polygerinos Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber Sensors optical fibers multi-core optical fibers shape sensing shape reconstruction |
| title | Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber |
| title_full | Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber |
| title_fullStr | Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber |
| title_short | Rapid and Accurate Shape-Sensing Method Using a Multi-Core Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Optical Fiber |
| title_sort | rapid and accurate shape sensing method using a multi core fiber bragg grating based optical fiber |
| topic | optical fibers multi-core optical fibers shape sensing shape reconstruction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4494 |
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