Provided is a pressure sensor including a first optical waveguide inside a lower substrate, a graphene layer above the lower substrate, an upper substrate above the graphene layer, and spacers between the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

A system and method of delivering fiber optic communication service is provided. The method includes monitoring a strain signal generated by a strain-sensing optical fiber embedded in a roadway. The method includes comparing the strain signal to a predetermined allowable strain threshold of an optical communication cable associated with the strain-sensing optical fiber. The method includes relieving strain at a position along a length of the optical communications cable when the strain signal is determined to exceed the predetermined allowable strain threshold.

A signal detecting device includes a multiplier that multiplies a measurement signal by a reference signal, a filter that filters a multiplication result from the multiplier, a first storage that stores an internal state of the filter; and a second storage that stores a filtering result from the filter. The filter filters the multiplication result using the internal state stored in the first storage. The first storage switches an area in or from which the filter writes or reads the internal state in accordance with an index signal representing a type of amplitude of a time-divisional signal in the measurement signal. The second storage switches an area in which the filtering result is stored in accordance with the index signal.

A insertion/removal apparatus comprises an insertion section with flexibility which is inserted into a target object to perform a desired operation, a shape sensor, an insertion section shape calculator, and a direct manipulation information estimation circuit. The shape sensor detects bending of the insertion section and outputs a detection signal. The insertion section shape calculator which calculates insertion section shape information indicating a shape of the insertion section, based on the detection signal output from the shape sensor. The direct manipulation information estimation circuit which estimates direct manipulation information including at least one of an insertion/removal amount and a rotation amount of the insertion section inserted into and removed from the target object, based on the insertion section shape information.

Apparatus for measuring deformation of an elongate body defining an axis, the apparatus including: an optical fibre arranged relative to the body, the optical fibre including a first strain sensitive optical fibre portion coupled to the body and at least partially aligned at a first angle relative to the axis, and a second strain sensitive optical fibre portion coupled to the body and at least partially aligned at a second angle relative to the axis, the second angle being opposite to the first angle; a radiation source connected to an end of the optical fibre, the radiation source being for supplying electromagnetic radiation to the optical fibre; a sensor connected to an end of the optical fibre, the sensor being for sensing electromagnetic radiation received from the first and second optical fibre portions; and a processing device for determining the deformation of the body using the sensed electromagnetic radiation, the deformation including any axial or torsional deformation.

A system and method for forming a low cost optical sensor array. The sensor includes an optical fiber; a first nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a first parameter through a correlated signal having a first wavelength; and a second nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a second parameter through a correlated signal having a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the first parameter.

A photoelectric sensor includes a connecting section for light projection to which a light propagation member for light projection optically coupled to a light emitting element is connected, a connecting section for light reception to which a light propagation member for light reception optically coupled to the light receiving element is connected, a signal generating unit configured to compare a light reception signal generated by the light receiving element and a threshold and generate a detection signal indicating a result of the comparison, a first light emitting element for indication optically coupled to the connecting section for light reception, and a mounting substrate on which each of the first light emitting element for indication and the light receiving element is positioned in the connecting section for light reception or one of the first light emitting element for indication and the light receiving element is positioned via the other.

A angle detection system, includes a first member pivotally coupled to a second member. An optical cable connecting an optical transmitter provided on the first member and an optical receiver provided on the second member is used by an angle detection engine to determine signal loss of an optical signal provided by the optical transmitter through the optical cable to the optical receiver. The angle detection engine then determines, based on the signal loss, a first angle of the second member relative to the first member. The angle detection engine then performs an instruction based on the first angle.

An apparatus for determining a position of a disturbance to an optical fibre assembly comprises a detector system that receives concurrently, from the optical fibre system, a first digital optical signal having a first wavelength and a second digital optical signal having a second wavelength. The apparatus monitors a common parameter of the first and second signals over time and determines respective times at which a change occurs in said parameter in each signal, the change arising from a disturbance to the optical fibre assembly. The apparatus uses the first and second times to determine a position of the disturbance.

Disclosed is a sensor enabling positioning of a flexible element subject to applied forces. The sensor includes at least two spatially separated light permeable tubes, each having first and second ends arranged on respective first and second frame portions of the flexible element. At least one of the first or second ends of at least one light permeable tube are attached to a corresponding first frame portion by a joining unit. Each of the at least two spatially separated light permeable tubes includes at least one light detecting device, connectable to a processing unit, and arranged at a light detecting position of a corresponding light permeable tube to detect light from at least one light emitting device through the corresponding light permeable tube and transferring information including information relating to the detected light to the processing unit, enabling the processing unit to determine the bend of the light permeable tubes.