Experimental analysis on UAV systems monitoring through optical fiber based sensors

In the last years, multiple engineering sectors have shown an increased use of optical fibre- based sensors, thanks to their inherent advantages that have encouraged experi- mental studies about them. Regarding aerospace applications, they are really useful for their immunity to electromagnetic disturbances, low weight and low cables’ size, high sensitivity, chemical inertia and electrical passivity. The main purpose of this thesis is to verify the optical fibre sensors capability to measure physical parameters that define aerospace systems, offering a greater quantity of data. The overall information detected could be useful to develop an innovative technique for systems monitoring, like making data sensors fusion and enhancing or substituting elec- tronic device measures. Moreover, optical information could be used for control logic development too. This is possible because the optical fibre sensors, due to their physical advantages listed before, can be placed even in hostile environments where the applica- tion of the common sensors is complex. Thus, the activity described in this thesis want to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology as a valuable support to the already existing solutions for aerospace systems diagnostic and prognostic. The experimentation was conducted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) model, em- ploying the optical fibre sensors Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), with which it’s possible to measure the mechanical strain and temperature. So, a series of laboratory and flight tests have made it possible to assess The potential reasonable benefits of these optical sensors for monitoring activity of safety-critical systems.