On UAVs or light aircraft, how is near “zero-weight” sensing wiring achieved?
Achieving near “zero-weight” sensing wiring on UAVs or light aircraft is typically accomplished through the use of fiber optic sensing technology, which offers significant advantages over traditional electrical sensing systems in terms of weight and performance.
Here’s how it’s achieved:
- Inherently Lightweight Fibers: Optical fibers themselves are made of glass or plastic, making them much lighter per unit length compared to copper wires used in electrical sensors. This dramatically reduces the overall wiring weight.
- Small Diameter: Optical fibers are very thin, allowing for compact cabling and installation, further contributing to weight reduction.
- EMI Immunity: Fiber optic sensors are immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI). This eliminates the need for heavy shielding and grounding wires, which are essential for electrical sensors in EMI-rich environments (like those found in aircraft), thereby saving considerable weight.
- Multiplexing Capability: A single optical fiber can host multiple Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensing points, allowing a large number of measurements to be taken with minimal cabling. This multiplexing capability reduces the total number of fibers and associated wiring required, further cutting down on weight.
For applications like those on UAVs and light aircraft, OFSCN® Fiber Bragg Grating strain sensors are commonly used. These sensors are designed to be compact and lightweight while providing precise measurements.
Here is an example of such a sensor:
You can find more details about our strain sensing products here:
OFSCN® Alloy Tube Packaged Fiber Bragg Grating strain sensor