Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fiber optic sensors for wearable applications

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Personal and Ubiquitous Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper focuses on studying different fiber optic sensors and their suitability for wearable applications. The properties of fiber optic sensors are compared against the requirements of wearability. The properties of optical fibers and textile fibers are also compared and integration methods reviewed. The aim of the work is to define which fiber optic sensors could be used in wearable applications and in clothing and which not, at the moment and in the future. It is found out that mechanical properties of the fibers are the most significant from the integration point of view, and optical fibers are compatible with the textile fibers with certain restrictions. Four out of 16 different fiber optic sensors are evaluated to become suitable for wearable applications at the moment, while few sensors have potential to become suitable for wearable applications in the future. Two of the suitable sensors were further tested by creating alternative structures and testing their behavior. One structure was then chosen, for an example wearable application design. This evaluation and demonstration creates a good foundation for further research in the field of wearable fiber optics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Goure J-P, Verrier I (2002) Optical fibre devices. IOP, Cornwall

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Jackson RG (2004) Novel sensors and sensing. IOP, Cornwall

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Yu FTS, Yin S (2002) Fiber optic sensors. Marcel Dekker, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  4. France Telecom Optical Fiber Display Prototypes (2007) Available at www.studio-creatif.com/Gb/Vet/Vet02Prototypes05Fr.htm. Accessed 19 Dec 2007

  5. Georgia Tech Wearable Motherboard (2007) Available at www.gtwm.gatech.edu. Accessed 28 Nov 2007

  6. Komonen R (2006) Valaiseva kangas: valokuidun ja elektroluminenssikaapelin käyttö kudotussa tekstiilissä. Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisuja, Kouvola

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dunne LE, Walsh P, Smyth B, Caulfield B (2006) Design and evaluation of a wearable optical sensor for monitoring seated spinal posture. In: Proceedings of the tenth IEEE international symposium on wearable computers, pp 65–68

  8. Luminex (2007) Available at www.luminex.it. Accessed 19 Dec 2007

  9. El-Sherif M, Yuan J, MacDiarmid A (2000) Fiber optic sensors and smart fabrics. J Intell Mater Syst Struct 11:407–414

    Google Scholar 

  10. Corning Optical Fiber (2007) Available at www.corning.com/opticalfiber. Accessed 5 Sep 2007

  11. Eberle H, Hermeling H, Hornberger M, Kilgus R, Menzer D, Ring W (2001) Fachwissen Bekleidung. Verlag Europa-Lehrmittel, Haan-Gruiten

    Google Scholar 

  12. Leoni Fiber Optics (2007) Available at www.leoni-fiber-optics.com. Accessed 5 Sep 2007

  13. Thorlabs (2007) Available at www.thorlabs.com. Accessed 5 Sep 2007

  14. Gemperle F, Kasabach C, Stivoric J, Bauer M, Martin R (1998) Design for wearability. Digest of papers of second international symposium on wearable computers, pp 116–122

  15. Hännikäinen J (2006) Electronic intelligence development for wearable applications. Dissertation, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland

  16. McCann J, Hurford R, Martin A (2005) A design process for the development of innovative smart clothing that addresses end-user needs from technical, functional, aesthetic and cultural view points. In: Proceedings of the 2005 ninth IEEE international symposium on wearable computers, pp 70–77

  17. Bodine K, Gemberle F (2003) Effects of functionality on perceived comfort of wearables. In: Proceedings of the seventh IEEE international symposium on wearable computers, pp 57–60

  18. Giallorenzi TG, Bucaro JA, Dandridge A, Sigel GH, Cole JH, Rashleigh SC, Priest RG (1982) Optical fiber sensor technology. IEEE Trans Microwave Theor Tech

  19. Malacara D, Thompson BJ (2001) Handbook of optical engineering. Marcel Dekker, New York

    Google Scholar 

  20. El-Sherif M (2005) Integration of fibre optic sensors and sensing networks into textile structures. Wearable electronics and photonics. Woodhead, Cambridge, pp 105–135

    Google Scholar 

  21. Faithfull D, Jones JG, Jordan C (1979) Measurement of the relative contributions of rib cage and abdome/diaphragm to tidal breathing in man. Br J Anaesth 51:391–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronics, Tampere University of Technology, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720, Tampere, Finland

    Jyri Rantala, Jaana Hännikäinen & Jukka Vanhala

Authors
  1. Jyri Rantala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jaana Hännikäinen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jukka Vanhala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jyri Rantala.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rantala, J., Hännikäinen, J. & Vanhala, J. Fiber optic sensors for wearable applications. Pers Ubiquit Comput 15, 85–96 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-010-0303-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-010-0303-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation