Over the last 25 years, the field of fiber optics has undergone tremendous growth and advancement.Fiber optic sensors abbreviated as FOS came into picture as a byproduct of telecommunications. Initially it was designed with the aim of measuring the status and performance of the optical fiber networks. Optical networks are used for transmitting of voice and data signals around the world. These networks require perpetual monitoring so as to ensure proper transmission of signal along the fibers. These sensors are quite immune to electromagnetic interference, and being a poor conductor of electricity they can be used in places where there is flammable material such as jet fuel or high voltage electricity. Fiber optic sensors can be designed to withstand high temperatures as well. Most physical properties can be sensed optically with fiber optic sensors. Temperature, light intensity, displacement, pressure, rotation, strain, sound, magnetic field, electric field, chemical analysis, radiation, flow, liquid level and vibration are just some of the phenomena that can be sensed via these sensors. Due to its characteristic of being impervious to electromagnetic interference and ability to operate in harsh environments, these sensors can be deployed in conditions where electronic sensors fail.
Distributed fiber optic sensors represent a technology that can be applied to a multitude of sensing applications with several characteristic advantages of fiber optics that make their use especially attractive for sensors. Fiber optic sensors are used in wide range of applications ranging from energy, defense, medicine, industrial, structural and transportation, security applications. For many years, distributed fiber optic sensors have been in use for military gyroscopes and hydrophones. To realize the full potential in distributed fiber optic sensors market, few improvements such as sensor robustness needs to be carried out in these sensors. Oil and gas market has opened an entire new business stream for the fiber optic sensors market, as they paved way for an entire new revenue generation system for the service providers. Initially the commercialization was focused primarily on the military applications. However, with the usage of distributed fiber optic sensors in smart oil wells North America is enabling itself to be on the path of energy independence. With the further technological advancements, its going to gain traction in the coming years.
Distributed fiber optic sensors provides an extra edge over existing conventional electronic systems by completely eliminating the need of electronics at the sensor end; with low cost, high bandwidth, light weight, improved reliability and EMI/RFI immunity.
Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Drivers & Restraints
Increasing investments in civil structures, smart manufacturing, growing needs of telecommunication industry are some of the key factors driving the growth of the global distributed fiber optic sensors market.
Cost and unfamiliarity remain the primary barriers to fiber optic sensor growth into new applications. Price fluctuation in oil industry and stringent environmental regulations are few more probable factors restraining the growth of the global distributed fiber optic sensors market.
Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Segmentation
The global distributed fiber optic sensors market is broadly classified on the basis of technology, applications and geographies.
Based on application, the global distributed fiber optic sensors market is segmented into:
• Oil & Gas
• Pipelines
• Infrastructure
• Geothermal
• Process control
• Security
• Wind energy turbines
Based on technology, the global distributed fiber optic sensors market is segmented into:
• Brillouin Scattering
• Raman Scattering
• Rayleigh Scattering
• Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG)
Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Overview
Though distributed fiber optic sensors traces back its history years ago, but for the emerging economies like India this market is gaining grounds recently.
With developing new technologies in emerging economies, rapid urbanization and increasing housing and security investments, the acceptance of distributed fiber optic sensors is gaining popularity. The global distributed fiber optic sensors market is expected to expand at a promising CAGR during the forecast period (2015-2025).
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