FPGA low-power fiber grating demodulation system based on variable-step scanning strategy

Abstract In remote or infrastructure-deficient areas, fiber grating demodulators typically rely on battery power, making low power consumption essential for prolonged field operation. To address this need, a low-power tunable laser-based fiber grating demodulator has been developed in this paper, employing a variable step-length laser scanning strategy based on OTSU threshold segmentation. By optimizing the scanning method, the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) clock frequency has been reduced to one-tenth of its original value while maintaining the demodulation frequency, achieving a 42.57% reduction in dynamic power consumption for the FPGA scanning control module. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed demodulator maintains a demodulation frequency of 2.5 kHz with a typical power consumption of only 2.43 W, significantly outperforming comparable market products. This demodulator’s exceptional low-power performance and stable demodulation capability provide a reliable technical solution for long-term field monitoring applications.