November 2007

Press Release:
Micron Optics/FiberSensing Announce New Portable Interrogator for FBG Sensors

FiberSensing, S.A., Portugal, and Micron Optics Inc., USA, announce the release of a new Portable Measurement Unit for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based sensors. The unit combines the Micron Optics' robust, wide scanning, high power, low-noise swept laser source with FiberSensing's integrated and portable instrument platform.

The instrument, branded "Optical Sensing Interrogator si325" for Micron Optics and "Portable BraggMETER FS 4200" for FiberSensing, is particularly suited for measurements in remote civil, downhole oil, and pipeline applications where both high accuracy and portability are required.

Some important features of the new interrogator are its broadband tuning capability, autonomous battery operation, built-in NIST traceable wavelength reference, data logging functions for automated sampling, archiving and transmission, high-performance local database for managing multiple sensor configurations and large datasets, and optical spectrum analyzer function.

The integration of a high resolution 12.1" touch screen on a robust case increases portability and ensures an easy interaction with the unit's intuitive graphical software even during field operation in harsh environments.

This new product is the first result of a cooperation established between Micron Optics and FiberSensing for the development of innovative, high-end instruments for the world-growing FBG sensing market.

FiberSensing provides optical FBG based sensor systems for advanced monitoring applications. The company develops, commercializes and supports products (sensors, measurement units and software packages) and services (complete solutions) for instrumentation, being the main markets the ones of structural health monitoring in civil and geotechnical engineering, aerospace, and energy production and distribution. Supported by competences going from fiber optic technology to optoelectronics, digital electronics and instrumentation, the company offers technologically advanced solutions while ensuring innovation, quality and reliability in a user friendly way. FiberSensing is a private company based in Maia, Portugal.

Micron Optics, a leading provider of tunable optical technologies, offers a comprehensive portfolio of components and instruments for Optical Sensing, Biotech and Telecom markets. Built upon its solid technology foundation, Micron Optics' sensing products span from optical sensors to fast and accurate optical instrumentation and to sensing system software. Since 1990, Micron Optics has been a privately held company based in Atlanta.

For more information:

FiberSensing, Luis Ferreira, Engineering Director, +351 229.613.010,
luis.ferreira@fibersensing.com, www.fibersensing.com

Micron Optics, Tom Graver, Director Optical Sensing Group, +1 404.325.0005 x267,
twgraver@micronoptics.com, www.micronoptics.com