FBG Interrogators

FBG Interrogators for every application

PhotonFirst understands that every sensing application presents unique challenges. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of PIC-based (Photonic Integrated Circuits) FBG interrogation systems, from compact, off-the-shelf solutions ideal for rapid deployment to highly customized systems designed to meet the most demanding requirements in harsh environments.

From Prototype to Flight-Qualified Optical Avionics

PhotonFirst develops application-specific FBG interrogators and optical sensing systems tailored to the requirements of aerospace, defense and industrial OEMs.

Whether the requirement is a compact UAV payload, an ARINC-integrated avionics module, or a flight-qualified rotorcraft monitoring system, our team combines photonic, electronics, software and systems engineering expertise to deliver a solution optimized for the target platform.

Capabilities

Custom Hardware Development

• SWaP-optimized architectures
• OEM-specific form factors
• Multi-channel and high-speed acquisition
• Embedded processing and edge computing

Avionics & System Integration

• ARINC integration
• Ethernet and avionics interfaces
• Data acquisition architectures

Lifecycle support

• Prototype development
• Qualification units
• Low-rate initial production
• Long-term sustainment
  
  

Qualification & Certification

• DO-160
• MIL-STD-810
• MIL-STD-461

Why OEMs Partner with PhotonFirst

• More than 20 years of photonic system development
• Expertise from sensor to avionics integration
• Flight-qualified interrogator technology
• Rapid customization for platform-specific requirements
• Proven experience in aerospace and defense environments

The advantages of Photonic Integrated Circuits compared to electronic chips

PIC-based FBG interrogators offer a powerful combination of miniaturization, robustness, performance, and cost-effectiveness, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of sensing applications. Compared to conventional electronic chips Photonic Integrated Circuits offer valuable advantages:

• Cost Reduction with Each New Chip Generation – As PIC technology matures, economies of scale drive down costs per chip, making each new generation more affordable. This contrasts with traditional bulk-optic designs that remain relatively expensive to manufacture. In the early days our system also cost € 50.000, today cost can go down to € 1.000 in volume.
• Smaller System Footprint – PIC integration significantly reduces the size of the interrogator compared to free-space optics or fiber-based architectures. This enables compact (lucifer box), lightweight (<500 gram) designs suitable for space-constrained applications.
• Ruggedness of the interrogator for harsh environment – PIC-based designs enhance resistance to shock, vibration, and EMC interference, making them ideal for aerospace and harsh (industrial) environments where compliance with DO-160G, MIL-STD-461 or MIL-STD-810 standards is required.

This combination of cost-effectiveness, miniaturization, and robustness makes PIC-based FBG interrogators highly attractive for demanding sensing applications.