Portuguese Fiber Optic Sensor Equipment Company

HBK FiberSensing and FiberSight are leading Portuguese companies specializing in advanced fiber optic sensor technologies.

HBK FiberSensing

HBK FiberSensing, originally founded as FiberSensing in Porto, Portugal, in 2004, is a global leader in optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology for monitoring systems . The company develops and produces a wide range of sensors, interrogators, software, and measurement units for applications such as strain, temperature, tilt, acceleration, and displacement monitoring . FiberSensing was acquired by HBM Test and Measurement in 2014, which later merged with B&K to form HBK, expanding its international reach . The company serves multiple sectors, including civil and geotechnical engineering, energy, industry, and research & development, and has delivered thousands of sensors and monitoring systems worldwide . Its technology is widely used in structural health monitoring, including bridges, tunnels, and industrial infrastructure, providing precise, real-time data for safety and maintenance purposes .

FiberSight

FiberSight is another Portuguese company offering real-time fiber optic sensing solutions for environmental and asset monitoring . Their systems provide continuous monitoring along fiber lengths exceeding 25 km, with location accuracy up to 1 meter, enabling detection of leaks, thermal hotspots, and other anomalies . FiberSight has developed the first fiber optic sensor capable of simultaneously measuring temperature and humidity, delivering the sensing power of thousands of individual sensors per kilometer of fiber . The technology is designed for harsh environments, reducing maintenance costs and enabling proactive infrastructure management. FiberSight solutions are flexible, scalable, and integrable with existing monitoring platforms, making them suitable for industrial, energy, and civil applications .

Historical Context

The Portuguese fiber optic sensor industry has its roots in INESC TEC, which began research in optical fiber sensors in the 1980s . INESC TEC's spin-off, FiberSensing, became a key player in the global market, demonstrating Portugal's long-standing expertise in Bragg grating sensors, optical fiber lasers, and structural monitoring technologies .

Summary

• HBK FiberSensing: Advanced FBG-based monitoring systems, global presence, structural health and industrial applications .
• FiberSight: Real-time, long-distance fiber optic sensing for environmental and asset monitoring, innovative temperature and humidity sensors .
• INESC TEC: Research hub and origin of FiberSensing, foundational in Portuguese optical fiber sensor development . These companies highlight Portugal's strong expertise in fiber optic sensing technology, with applications spanning civil engineering, energy, industry, and research sectors.