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Virtual Instrumentation for a Fiber-Optics-Based Artificial NerveA LabView-based computer interface for fiber-optic artificial nerves has been devised as a Masters thesis project. This project involves the use of outputs from wavelength multiplexed optical fiber sensors (artificial nerves), which are capable of producing dense optical data outputs for physical measurements. The potential advantages of using optical fiber sensors for sensory function restoration is the fact that well defined WDM-modulated signals can be transmitted to and from the sensing region allowing networked units to replace low-level nerve functions for persons desirous of "intelligent artificial limbs." Various FO sensors can be designed with high sensitivity and the ability to be interfaced with a wide range of devices including miniature shielded electrical conversion units. Our Virtual Instrument (VI) interface software package was developed using LabView's "Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench" package. The virtual instrument has been configured to arrange and encode the data to develop an intelligent response in the form of encoded digitized signal outputs. The architectural layout of our nervous system is such that different touch stimuli from different artificial fiber-optic nerve points correspond to gratings of a distinct resonant wavelength and physical location along the optical fiber. Thus, when an automated, tunable diode laser sends scans, the wavelength spectrum of the artificial nerve, it triggers responses that are encoded with different touch stimuli by way wavelength shifts in the reflected Bragg resonances. The reflected light is detected and a resulting analog signal is fed into ADC1 board and DAQ card. Finally, the software has been written such that the experimenter is able to set the response range during data acquisition.
Document ID
20020018900
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lyons, Donald R.
(Hampton Univ. VA United States)
Kyaw, Thet Mon
(Hampton Univ. VA United States)
Griffin, DeVon
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: HBCUs/OMUs Research Conference Agenda and Abstracts
Subject Category
Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence And Robotics
Report/Patent Number
P19
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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