Le stockage de données par holographie suscite un intérêt renouvelé. Il semble bien placé pour conduire à une nouvelle génération de mémoires optiques aux capacités et débits de lecture bien supérieurs à ceux des disques optiques actuels basés sur l’enregistrement dit surfacique. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous proposons une nouvelle architecture de stockage optique de données qui s’inspire du principe de la photographie interférentielle de Lippmann. Les informations y sont inscrites dans le volume du matériau d’enregistrement sous la forme de pages de données par multiplexage en longueur d’onde en exploitant la sélectivité de Bragg. Cette technique, bien que très voisine de l’holographie, n’avait jamais été envisagée pour le stockage à hautes capacités. L’objectif de la thèse a été d’analyser cette nouvelle architecture afin de déterminer les conditions pouvant conduire à de très hautes capacités. Cette analyse s’est appuyée sur un outil de simulation numérique des processus de diffraction en jeu dans cette mémoire interférentielle. Elle nous a permis de définir deux conditions sous lesquelles ces hautes capacités sont atteignables. En respectant ces conditions, nous avons conçu un démonstrateur de mémoire dit de « Lippmann » et avons ainsi démontré expérimentalement que la capacité est bien proportionnelle à l’épaisseur du matériau d’enregistrement. Avec une telle architecture, des capacités de l’ordre du Téraoctet sont attendues pour des disques de 12 cm de diamètre. / Nowadays, the holographic data storage presents a renewed interest. It seems well placed to lead a new generation of optical storage capacity and playback speeds much higher than current optical discs based on the recording onto a surface. In this thesis, we propose a new architecture for optical data storage that is based on the principle of Lippmann photography interferential. Information are included in the volume of the recording material in the form of pages of data multiplexing in wavelength by exploiting the Bragg selectivity. This technique, although very similar to holography, had never been considered for high storage capacities. The aim of the thesis was to analyze this new architecture to determine the conditions that can lead to very high capacities. This analysis was based on a numerical simulation tool of diffraction process involved in this memory interferential. It allowed us to define two conditions under which these high capacities are achievable. In accordance with these conditions, we developed a demonstrator called "Lippmann’s memory" and have thus demonstrated experimentally that the capacity is proportional to the thickness of the recording material. With such an architecture, Terabyte disks of 12 cm in diameter are expected.

A disponibilização de fontes ópticas multi-comprimento de onda de baixo custo certamente é um dos aspectos fundamentais para viabilizar a implantação de redes WDMPON (Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network). Na literatura, são encontradas propostas de algumas tecnologias para a construção de tais dispositivos como a utilização de fontes ópticas sintonizáveis, uso de um vetor de lasers DFB (Distributed Feedback Laser) ou, até mesmo, o fatiamento espectral de uma fonte de banda larga. Contudo, essas propostas apresentam custo elevado, ou limitações de operação, tornando-se inapropriadas para a aplicação de interesse. Uma alternativa que vem sendo amplamente utilizada é o travamento óptico de diodos laser de Fabry-Pérot (FP-LD - Fabry-Pérot laser diode), realizado por meio da injeção de sinal óptico externo provindo do fatiamento espectral de uma fonte de banda larga. O travamento óptico possibilita o controle espectral do FP-LD, e o seu baixo custo torna essa fonte óptica atrativa na implantação de redes WDM. O entendimento do mecanismo de travamento torna-se, então, crucial na descrição da dinâmica de tais fontes ópticas. Desta forma, nesta dissertação, foi desenvolvido o estudo dos modelos matemáticos que descrevem a dinâmica de lasers travados, assim como foi investigado o desempenho de redes WDM-PON empregando estas fontes ópticas. / The availability of low cost multi-wavelength optical sources is certainly one of the fundamental aspects to allow the deployment of WDM-PON networks. Several technologies for the implementation of such optical sources are discussed in the literature, including tunable lasers, DFB arrays and spectral slicing of a broadband light source. However, those propositions suffer from high cost or operational limitations. One alternative is the optical injection locking of a Fabry Pérot laser diode (FPLD), in which the external optical injection signal is obtained from the spectral slicing of a broadband light source. This option has been widely investigated because the optical injection locking process allows for the FP-LD optical spectral control and wavelength selection. In addition, the low cost of such device makes this optical source an attractive solution for WDM-PON widespread deployment. In this context, the understanding of the locking mechanism becomes important in the optimization of such optical sources. Thus, in this dissertation, we conducted a study of mathematical models that describe the dynamics of locked lasers as well as investigated the performance of WDM-PON based on those optical sources.

Os objetivos desta monografia foram analisar as propriedades de topologias de redes complexas, analisar as potencialidades e comparar desempenho de softwares gratuitos de geração de topologias e simular roteamento de tráfego em redes de telecomunicações. As principais topologias analisadas foram a regular, aleatória e livre de escala. As propriedades topológicas incluem o grau nodal, a distribuição de grau, o coeficiente de agrupamento, o comprimento médio do caminho, além do efeito mundo pequeno. Foram avaliadas as potencialidades de três ferramentas gratuitas de geração e análise de redes, o B-A, Pajek e NetLogo. Como exemplos de aplicação em redes de telecomunicações, com destaque para redes ópticas utilizando técnica de multiplexação por divisão de comprimento de onda, foram implementados os seguintes algoritmos de roteamento de tráfego: roteamento fixo com alocação de comprimento de onda sequencial fixa e roteamento adaptativo com alocação de comprimento de onda menos usado, mais usado, aleatória e busca exaustiva. O desempenho dos algoritmos de roteamento e alocação de comprimentos de onda de modo nas topologias analisadas foram comparados. / The purposes of this master\'s thesis are to analyze the properties of complex network topologies, analyze and compare the performance of free software for generating topologies and simulate traffic routing in telecommunication networks. The main topologies analyzed were the regular, random and scale-free. The topological properties include the nodal degree, the distribution degree, clustering coefficient, average path length and small-world effect. The performance of the free softwares B-A, Pajek and Netlogo were evaluated. As examples of application in telecommunication networks, especially for optical networks using wavelength division multiplexing technique, the following routing traffic algorithms were implemented: Fixed routing with first-fit wavelength assignment and adaptive routing with least used wavelength assignment, most used, random and exhaustive search. The performance of algorithms for routing and wavelength allocation employed in the analyzed topologies was compared.

Este trabalho investiga a influência dos efeitos da mistura de quatro ondas (FWM -. Four- Wave Mixing) durante o estabelecimento de caminhos ópticos em uma rede GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized MultiProtocol Label Switching/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing). Para minimizar seus impactos e assim reduzir o bloqueio total da rede, são propostas estratégias por meio de extensões ao RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering). A partir de uma plataforma de simulação que emula e integra a camada óptica e o Plano de Controle da arquitetura GMPLS, a solução proposta é validada. Os vários métodos de alocação de comprimentos de onda são avaliados e as contribuições na redução dos sinais interferentes quantificadas. Para minimizar o bloqueio na rede, uma nova classe de métodos de alocação, classificados como híbridos, é definida e seu desempenho é avaliado. O bloqueio da rede em função da variação de parâmetros que reforçam a eficiência da FWM, tais como a quantidade e espaçamento entre canais, é observado, confirmando a necessidade de métodos de alocação especialistas para gerenciamento do QoS (Quality of Service) óptico em cada caminho a ser estabelecido. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficiência da solução proposta e evidenciam a necessidade de um Plano de Controle GMPLS com acurada visibilidade das restrições da camada física, tanto os efeitos estáticos quanto às degradações associadas ao comportamento dinâmico da rede. / This work investigates the effects of the Four-Wave Mixing (FWM) during the lightpaths establishment in a GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching / Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) network. In order to minimize their impacts and thus reduce network blocking, strategies based on RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol- Traffic Engineering) extensions are proposed. The proposed solution is validated using a simulation platform that integrates and emulates the optical layer and the GMPLS Control Plane. The various wavelength allocation methods are evaluated and their contributions on the reduction of interfering signals are quantified. In order to minimize the network blocking, a new class of allocation methods (classified as hybrids) is defined and its performance is evaluated. The network blocking caused by the parameters that enhance the FWM efficiency, such as the number and spacing between channels, is also observed, confirming the need of specialized wavelength allocation methods for managing the optical QoS for each lightpath. The results obtained ascertain that the proposed solution is efficient and demonstrate the need for a GMPLS Control Plane endowed with an accurate visibility of the restrictions in the physical layer, concerning both static and dynamic effects.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:31:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VICTOR ISHIZUCA TELES.pdf: 2209340 bytes, checksum: eade76b90d01487ba8c4f5e2b7226ad0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-10 / The objective of this work is to experimentally evaluate how physical impairments on the network can affect the performance of IP applications. Especially This work encompasses the analysis of the cross-layer effect caused by all-optical wavelength converters in the video signal. For this purpose, it was evaluated the packet error rate degradationcaused by physical layer parameters. Such analysis was made for a video signal propagation through the KyaTera Network, followed by an all optical wavelength conversion. The experimental results allowed concluding that converted signals separated by up to 1.5 THz from the original signal may experience 2.1-dB penalty. This fact indicates that for each wavelength conversion the signal propagation range will be reduced in 10 km (Considering an attenuation of 0.2 dB/km in the transmission fibers). It was also verified that the presence of the all-optical wavelength converter in the network implies a 16-dB power penalty. For this reason the wavelength conversion is a viable option for cases where the propagation distance for the unconverted signal is larger than 80 km. Results indicate the existence of a strong relation between the packet error rate and the degradation of the optical signal-noise ratio caused by the mentioned converter. It was not found any reference in the literature of any work with this type of characterization. Additionally, experiments to emulate the degradation of the video signals transmitted through links with a cascade of optical amplifiers were also performed. The results indicate that the packet error rate is related not only with optical signal-noise ratio, but also with the received signal power. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar experimentalmente como impedimentos f?sicos de redes ?pticas afetam o desempenho de aplica??es IP. Em especial, esse trabalho compreendeu a an?lise do efeito de cross-layer causado por conversores de comprimento de onda totalmente ?pticos em sinais de v?deo. Para isso avaliou-se a degrada??o da taxa de erro de pacotes em fun??o de par?metros da camada f?sica. Essa an?lise foi feita para uma propaga??o do sinal de v?deo pela Rede KyaTera, seguida de uma convers?o de comprimentos de onda totalmente ?ptica. Os resultados experimentais permitiram concluir que sinais convertidos, separados do sinal original por at? 1,5 THz, sofrem uma penalidade m?dia de pot?ncia de 2,1 dB. Este fato indica que para cada convers?o que o sinal sofrer o seu alcance ser? reduzido em aproximadamente 10 km (admitindo-se uma atenua??o de 0,2 dB/km nas fibras da rede). Concluiu-se tamb?m que a presen?a do conversor de comprimentos de onda na rede implica em uma penalidade de 16 dB. Este fato torna a convers?o de comprimentos de onda uma op??o vi?vel para os casos nos quais o sinal n?o convertido tenha de ser propagado por uma dist?ncia superior a 80 km. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe uma forte correla??o entre a taxa de erro de pacotes da transmiss?o do sinal de v?deo e a degrada??o da raz?o sinal-ru?do ?ptica imposta pelo referido conversor. N?o foi encontrada nenhuma refer?ncia na literatura de qualquer trabalho que fizesse uma caracteriza??o desta maneira. Adicionalmente tamb?m foram realizados experimentos para emular a degrada??o de sinais de v?deo transmitidos por enlaces com uma cascata de amplificadores ?pticos. Os resultados deste experimento indicam que a taxa de erro de pacotes est? relacionada n?o apenas com a raz?o sinal-ru?do ?ptica, mas tamb?m com a pot?ncia do sinal no receptor.

This research proposes a new dynamic energy management framework for a backbone Internet Protocol over Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (IP over DWDM) network. Maintaining the logical IP-layer topology is a key constraint of our architecture whilst saving energy by infrastructure sleeping and virtual router migration. The traffic demand in a Tier 2/3 network typically has a regular diurnal pattern based on people‟s activities, which is high in working hours and much lighter during hours associated with sleep. When the traffic demand is light, virtual router instances can be consolidated to a smaller set of physical platforms and the unneeded physical platforms can be put to sleep to save energy. As the traffic demand increases the sleeping physical platforms can be re-awoken in order to host virtual router instances and so maintain quality of service. Since the IP-layer topology remains unchanged throughout virtual router migration in our framework, there is no network disruption or discontinuities when the physical platforms enter or leave hibernation. However, this migration places extra demands on the optical layer as additional connections are needed to preserve the logical IP-layer topology whilst forwarding traffic to the new virtual router location. Consequently, dynamic optical connection management is needed for the new framework. Two important issues are considered in the framework, i.e. when to trigger the virtual router migration and where to move virtual router instances to? For the first issue, a reactive mechanism is used to trigger the virtual router migration by monitoring the network state. Then, a new evolutionary-based algorithm called VRM_MOEA is proposed for solving the destination physical platform selection problem, which chooses the appropriate location of virtual router instances as traffic demand varies. A novel hybrid simulation platform is developed to measure the performance of new framework, which is able to capture the functionality of the optical layer, the IP layer data-path and the IP/optical control plane. Simulation results show that the performance of network energy saving depends on many factors, such as network topology, quiet and busy thresholds, and traffic load; however, savings of around 30% are possible with typical medium-sized network topologies.

Dans le domaine de l’astrophysique des hautes énergies, de nombreuses questions restent à ce jour sans réponse et, parmi elles se trouve l’origine des rayons cosmiques Galactiques. La première preuve observationnelle de ces particules accélérées a été apportée au sein d’un vestige de supernova il y a seulement vingt ans. Depuis, nous savons que les vestiges de supernova, les pulsars et leurs nébuleuses accélèrent efficacement des particules mais de nombreuses interrogations subsistent encore. Les preuves directes concernant l’accélération de protons (constituant 90% du rayonnement cosmique) sont rares et de nombreuses sources nouvellement détectées en gamma sont de nature inconnue. Les rayonnements produits au sein des accélérateurs Galactiques fournissent d’importants éléments de réponse quant à la nature des particules accélérées. En particulier, alors que les domaines de la radio et des rayons X ne tracent que les électrons accélérés, les rayons gamma peuvent inférer la présence d’électrons et également de protons (et noyaux en général) mais l’émission s’avère le plus souvent difficile à interpréter.Les mesures des rayons gamma de très hautes énergies dépendent de notre connaissance de l’atmosphère terrestre, dans lequel ils se propagent avant d’être détectés par les télescopes Tcherenkov au sol tels que le réseau H.E.S.S. La partie technique de cette thèse concerne l’étude de l’impact des profils d’atmosphère sur les données H.E.S.S. Grâce à des simulations et des analyses prenant en compte les caractéristiques propres à chaque prise de données, nous étudions l’impact des profils d’atmosphère mesurés sur les fonctions de réponse de l’instrument et sur la reconstruction spectrale.Le premier objectif scientifique de cette thèse est de comprendre la nature de l’émission gamma au sein de deux vestiges de supernova (G326.3-1.8 et RX J1713.7-3946) par le biais d’analyses spectro-morphologiques détaillées. L’analyse de G326.3-1.8, avec les données du Fermi-LAT, a mené à deux résultats importants: une nouvelle preuve d’accélération de protons et la première séparation morphologique et spectrale de deux composantes imbriquées en gamma. L’analyse de RX J1713.7-3946, avec les données H.E.S.S. et les outils d'analyse Ctools, a confirmé une extension plus importante en gamma qu’en rayons X mais dont l’origine reste encore incertaine.La deuxième partie de cette thèse entreprend de discuter la nature des sources Galactiques non-associées au TeV. Pour ce faire, nous présentons un code générique visant à rechercher des contreparties multi-longueurs d’onde sur ces sources au TeV, et permettant de poser des contraintes sur des paramètres physiques tels que le champ magnétique moyen et l’indice spectral en radio. En appliquant ce code sur cinq sources non-identifiées du relevé du plan Galactique de H.E.S.S., nous apportons des arguments quant à leur origine. En particulier, nous étudions deux sources, dont l’émission au TeV provient probablement de multiples contributions, soulevant ainsi l’importance des données multi-longueurs d’onde pour comprendre la nature de l’émission en gamma. / In high energy astrophysics, several questions are still open and amongst them is the origin of Galactic cosmic rays. The first observational evidence of accelerated particles has only been revealed twenty years ago. Since then, supernova remnants, pulsars and their nebulae are known to efficiently accelerate particles but several questions still hold. In particular, evidence of accelerated protons (which consist on 90% of the cosmic-ray spectrum) is still elusive and several gamma-ray sources have unknown origin. Non-thermal emissions produced in Galactic accelerators provide insights about the nature of the accelerated particles. In particular, while radio and X-ray observations indicate the presence of accelerated electrons, gamma rays can be produced by both electrons and protons (or nuclei in general) but it may be difficult to assess the origin of the emission.The technical part of this thesis concerns the study of the impact on the reconstructed H.E.S.S. data when using atmospheric profiles measured with a lidar instead of a standard atmospheric model currently used. Very high energy gamma rays propagate into the atmosphere before reaching Cherenkov Telescopes and thus, the accuracy of our measurements depends on our understanding of the atmospheric composition. Using run-wise simulations based on lidar data, we study the impact on the instrument response functions and we analyse data to quantify the effect on the spectral reconstruction.The first scientific goal of this thesis is to understand the gamma-ray emission from two supernova remnants (G326.3-1.8 et RX J1713-3946) through detailed spectro-morphological analyses. The analysis of the composite supernova remnant G326.3-1.8, with Fermi-LAT data, has led to two major results: a new evidence of accelerated protons and the first morphological and spectral separation in gamma rays of two nested components. The study of RX J1713-3946, with H.E.S.S. data and using the Ctools package, confirms a significant gamma-ray extension beyond the X-ray emitting shell but its origin remains unclear.The second part of this thesis aims to constrain the nature of the unidentified TeV sources revealed in the H.E.S.S. Galactic Plane Survey. We thus present a generic code, based on a multi-wavelength approach, to find counterparts and estimate physical parameters like the radio spectral index and the mean magnetic field. We apply this code on five unidentified TeV sources and we put constraints on their nature. In particular, we present two high-confusion cases, for which the TeV emission is probably due to the contribution from different components, emphasizing the importance of multi-wavelength data to understand the origin of the gamma-ray emission.

Este trabalho investiga a influência dos efeitos da mistura de quatro ondas (FWM -. Four- Wave Mixing) durante o estabelecimento de caminhos ópticos em uma rede GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized MultiProtocol Label Switching/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing). Para minimizar seus impactos e assim reduzir o bloqueio total da rede, são propostas estratégias por meio de extensões ao RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering). A partir de uma plataforma de simulação que emula e integra a camada óptica e o Plano de Controle da arquitetura GMPLS, a solução proposta é validada. Os vários métodos de alocação de comprimentos de onda são avaliados e as contribuições na redução dos sinais interferentes quantificadas. Para minimizar o bloqueio na rede, uma nova classe de métodos de alocação, classificados como híbridos, é definida e seu desempenho é avaliado. O bloqueio da rede em função da variação de parâmetros que reforçam a eficiência da FWM, tais como a quantidade e espaçamento entre canais, é observado, confirmando a necessidade de métodos de alocação especialistas para gerenciamento do QoS (Quality of Service) óptico em cada caminho a ser estabelecido. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficiência da solução proposta e evidenciam a necessidade de um Plano de Controle GMPLS com acurada visibilidade das restrições da camada física, tanto os efeitos estáticos quanto às degradações associadas ao comportamento dinâmico da rede. / This work investigates the effects of the Four-Wave Mixing (FWM) during the lightpaths establishment in a GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching / Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) network. In order to minimize their impacts and thus reduce network blocking, strategies based on RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol- Traffic Engineering) extensions are proposed. The proposed solution is validated using a simulation platform that integrates and emulates the optical layer and the GMPLS Control Plane. The various wavelength allocation methods are evaluated and their contributions on the reduction of interfering signals are quantified. In order to minimize the network blocking, a new class of allocation methods (classified as hybrids) is defined and its performance is evaluated. The network blocking caused by the parameters that enhance the FWM efficiency, such as the number and spacing between channels, is also observed, confirming the need of specialized wavelength allocation methods for managing the optical QoS for each lightpath. The results obtained ascertain that the proposed solution is efficient and demonstrate the need for a GMPLS Control Plane endowed with an accurate visibility of the restrictions in the physical layer, concerning both static and dynamic effects.

The broad absorption spectrum of Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) allows being activated by a source with an emission spectrum in the visible region. Also, PpIX can be activated simultaneously by two or more sources whose emission spectrum overlaps with its absorption spectrum. Sources with a wide spectrum of illumination, such as lamps and Sun, have a different light-tissue interaction, and the constant monitoring of the dose of light and the total damage caused by photodynamic therapy (PDT) becomes difficult. The main objectives of this study were to simulate the distribution of light in the tissue for a multi-wavelength source and determine the total theoretical photodynamic dose. This study is composed of three parts. First, photobleaching experiments of PpIX using different light sources and the development of a mathematical model was used to explain the change in PpIX concentration. Second, Monte Carlo simulation using MCX (Monte Carlo eXtreme) was performed to know the light distribution through in a human skin model. Finally, the theoretical photodynamic dose was determined using the two steps mentioned previously. The experimental results show that the decrease in the concentration of PpIX is mainly dependent on the dose of photons absorbed. Therefore, for a multi-wavelength source, the total damage is calculated by partial damages caused by each wavelength that active the PpIX. The simulation of the light distribution in the human skin phantom demonstrated that the energy fluence rate decrease as a function of the depth. The mathematical model estimates that the efficacy of PDT, where it is guaranteed there is necrosis, has a diameter and depth of about 0.3 and 0.2 mm respectively. This model can be expanded to other biological media, other photosensitizers and even to any source of illumination. / O amplo espectro de absorção da Protoporfirina IX (PpIX) permite sua ativação por uma fonte com um espectro de emissão amplo na região visível. Além disso, a PpIX pode ser ativada simultaneamente por duas ou mais fontes de luz, cujo espectro de emissão se sobrepõe ao seu espectro de absorção. Fontes com um amplo espectro de emissão, como lâmpadas e Sol, têm uma interação luz-tecido biológico diferente, e o monitoramento constante da dose de luz e o dano total causado pela Terapia Fotodinâmica (TFD) se tornam difíceis. Os principais objetivos deste trabalho foram simular a distribuição de luz no tecido para uma fonte de múltiplos comprimentos de onda e determinar a dose fotodinâmica teórica total. Este trabalho é composto de três partes. Primeiro, experimentos de fotodegradação da PpIX usando diferentes fontes de luz e o desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático foram usados para explicar a mudança na concentração de PpIX. Em segundo lugar, uma simulação de Monte Carlo usando MCX (Monte Carlo eXtreme) foi realizada para obter a distribuição de luz, de múltiplos comprimetos de onda, em um modelo de pele humana. Finalmente, a dose fotodinâmica teórica foi determinada usando as duas etapas mencionadas anteriormente. Os resultados experimentais mostram que a diminuição na concentração de PpIX é principalmente dependente da dose de fótons absorvidos. Portanto, para uma fonte de multi-comprimentos de onda, o dano total é calculado por danos parciais causados por cada comprimento de onda que ativa a PpIX. A simulação da distribuição de luz na pele humana demonstrou que a taxa de fluência de energia diminui em função da profundidade. O modelo matemático estima que a eficácia da TFD, onde é garantida a existência de necrose, tenha diâmetro e profundidade de aproximadamente 0.3 e 0.2 mm respectivamente. Este modelo pode ser expandido para outros meios biológicos, outros fotossensibilizadores e até mesmo para qualquer fonte de iluminação.

Fibre-optic sensors have been the focus of a lot of research, but their associated high cost has stifled their transferral from the laboratory to real world applications. This thesis addresses the issue of multiplexing, a technology that would lower the cost per unit sensor of a sensor system dramatically. An overview of the current state of research of, and the principles behind, multiplexed sensor networks is given. A new scheme of multiplexing, designated W*DM, is developed and implemented for a fibre Bragg grating (FBG) optical fibre sensor network. Using harmonic analysis, multiplexing is performed in the domain dual to that of the wavelength domain of a sensor. This scheme for multiplexing is compatible with the most commonly used existing schemes of WDM and TDM and thus offers an expansion over, and a resultant cost decrease from, the sensor systems currently in use. This research covered a theoretical development of the scheme, a proof of principle, simulated and experimental analysis of the performance of the multiplexed system, investigation into sensor design requirements and related issues, fabrication of the sensors according to the requirements of the scheme and the successful multiplexing of eight devices (thus offering an eightfold increase over current network capacities) using this scheme. Extensions of this scheme to other fibre sensors such as Long Period Gratings (LPGs) and blazed gratings were also investigated. Two LPGs having a moir?? structure were successfully multiplexed and it was shown that a blazed Fabry Perot grating could be used as a tuneable dual strain/refractive index sensor. In performing these tests, it was discovered that moir?? LPGs exhibited a unique thermal switching behaviour, hereto unseen. Finally the application of fibre sensors to the civil engineering field was investigated. The skill of embedding optical fibre in concrete was painstakingly developed and the thermal properties of concrete were investigated using these sensors. Field tests for the structural health monitoring of a road bridge made from a novel concrete material were performed. The phenomenon of shrinkage, creep and cracking in concrete was investigated showing the potential for optical fibre sensors to be used as a viable research tool for the civil engineer.