Impact localization on composite wing using 1D array FBG sensor and RMS/correlation based reference database algorithm

In this paper 1-dimensional (1D) array fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor configuration is proposed for impact localization of random impact points on composite wing. Firstly, 2D and 1D array FBG sensor localization results are compared and then 1D array FBG sensor configuration is implemented on a full scale composite wing of Jabiru UL-D aircraft. A high speed FBG interrogator is used to sample the impact signals at 100 kHz and reference database impact localization algorithm is used to estimate the impact location. The sensor configuration and impact localization techniques presented in this paper demonstrates an excellent means of decreasing the number of required sensor for localizing impact points. Moreover, through a parametric study it is demonstrated that using 1D array sensor configuration and reference database algorithm, two FBG sensors covering 4.2 m × 0.6 m wing area can approximate the impact location with maximum localization error limited to about 35.0 mm, which is as effective as using 1D array configuration with six FBG sensors.