Conception and realization of an angular optical sensor

In this work, an angular sensor using optical fiber is achieved. The principle of attenuation of the intensity of the luminous wave in the optical fiber (curved to deduct the angle of curvature) is used. A mechanical system controlled by a PC is conceived to simulate the articulation of a human being in order to test the optical sensor on the during various angular displacements of the articulation. According to the variation of this attenuation, a measure of angle is deducted. This process may offer a useful technique for use in functional rehabilitation, which requires a quantification of the angular kinematics of movements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 500–503, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20015