Experimental validation of high sensitivity, rugged fiber Bragg grating accelerometer for ground vibration measurements

This paper presents a highly sensitive, robust, fully packaged accelerometer utilizing Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology, engineered to offer exceptional performance in dynamic environments. The proposed accelerometer integrates self-temperature compensation mechanisms to ensure accurate readings across varying thermal conditions. Leveraging FBG technology, the device achieves a remarkable sensitivity of 1000 pm/g and a resonant frequency of 184 Hz, facilitating efficient detection of rapid changes in acceleration. The design incorporates two Fiber Bragg gratings as sensing elements and innovative structural configurations to enhance robustness and reliability in harsh operating environments. The design is optimised for required parameters using extensive modelling and simulations. Furthermore, the extraction of velocity is carried out through efficient signal processing algorithm which makes it easy to operate and field deployable. In this research work, experimental validation along with a commercial accelerometer demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed accelerometer, showcasing its potential for applications where high sensitivity and resilience to temperature fluctuations are paramount. Moreover, the developed accelerometer is experimented for ground vibrations and is found to be operative up to a range of 12 m. This research contributes to the advancement of sensor technology, offering a promising solution for demanding acceleration measurement requirements in various engineering disciplines. In future, the developed accelerometer will be employed for real time measurement of blast induced vibrations in mining applications.