Joint position detector with fiber optical microbend loop

摘要

An apparatus for precisely controlling the movement and position of objects. The apparatus includes at least one moveable arm and a system for optically measuring the movement of the arm. The optical measurement system includes an optical fiber loop capable of producing microbend-induced optical attenuation when the loop is physically deformed by the movement of the arm. The apparatus further includes a signal source, a signal detector, and signal processing system for determining the attenuation of the signal between the signal source and the signal detector.