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NOVA Analytica

The division NOVA Analytica sets the generation of tailored software routines as its fundamental task. Such tools represent the cornerstone at the base of every system pre-processing and data post-processing.

NOVA’s clients benefit from the IT know-how of NOVA Analytica’s experts and their capability of supplying bespoke software for customers specific applications. Thanks to NOVA Analytica, the full potential of the interferometric technology is preserved and the greatest amount of useful information is extracted from the system under measurement.

By concatenating multiple sensing elements, we can monitor any mechanical component in a multi-dimensional space-time environment. We can track in real time:
  • Strain
  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • Shape
With a spatial resolution ranging from 10mm to 20m and a temporal resolution from 25Hz to 205kHz. Strain, pressure and shape measurements can be temperature-compensated if required, while temperature measurements are mechanically isolated from strain during our fibres installation.
Figure 1: Four shape sensors placed on a beam-like structure allow an estimation of the expected reconstruction error.Figure 1: Four shape sensors placed on a beam-like structure allow an estimation of the expected reconstruction error.
Pre-processing

The project requirements, e.g. desired accuracy, spatial and temporal resolution, represent the input. Out tools will provide you the best configuration of the measurement system for your needs in term of:
  • Photonic and optoelectronic components: most appropriate PCU configuration and most convenient NOVA fibre
  • Sensing layout: how many sensors can be placed on your component to achieve the desired level of accuracy.
Figure 2: Start your measurements using our visualisation software Figure 2: Start your measurements using our visualisation software 'Nova PCU Connect', used to setup the acquisition system and visualise the measurements in the desired format.
Post-processing

We apply physics-based and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to the output sensor signal to generate the most useful information out of our sensors. Combining the information coming from multiple sensing elements and using our algorithms, you will be able to reconstruct the behaviour of complex mechanical systems with a very high degree of accuracy.
signal generated from each fibre using the ‘Alignment panel’ of Nova PCU Connect' alt='Figure 3: Identify reflectors' locations and the
signal generated from each fibre using the ‘Alignment panel’ of Nova PCU Connect'>Figure 3: Identify reflectors' locations and the
signal generated from each fibre using the ‘Alignment panel’ of Nova PCU Connect
Fibre sanity check

Verify the status of your NOVA fibres at any time. In this visualisation panel you can verify that the signal level generated by the fibres’ reflectors is optimal and automatically track the distance between the reflectors, e.g. to verify if the fibre has been stretched during its installation.
Strain and temperature measurements

Visualise in a heat-map plot the level of strain and temperature experienced by the NOVA fibre embedded in your component. We can provide temperature-compensated strain measurements, while we can mechanically isolate the fibre from strain for temperature measurements if required by your application.
Select the measurement segment of interest to visualise the signal time series associated to it.
Figure 4: Strain visualisation panels. The top part shows in a heat-map the strain level of the fibres, while the bottom part shows the signal time series of any selected segment
Figure 5: T visualisation panels. The top part shows in a heat-map the temperature level of the fibres, while the bottom part shows the signal time series of any selected segment
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Shape measurements

Use our algorithm to reconstruct in real-time the shape of the mechanical component on which the NOVA shape sensor is attached. You can glue or tape our sensors on your component depending on the application that you have in mind.
Our in-house developed algorithm will combine the sensors output to reconstruct the fibre shape with the best spatial resolution for your physical application.
Visualise the reconstructed three-dimensional shape at the top of the visualisation panel and its two-dimensional projections at the bottom.
Our visualisation software also provides the place static points in the three-dimensional space to provide references in your application.
Figure 6: Visualisation of a shape sensor output. At the top the reconstructed three-dimensional shape, at the bottom one of its projections onto a plane.
Figure 7: Combine shape and strain measurements in a single panel.