Abstract
This paper presents a smart composite for structural monitorisation, based on fibre Bragg grating sensors. The sensor plate, a carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminate having an embedded optical strain gauge rosette, was designed, produced, and tested. These instrumented carbon fibre laminates can be used for monitoring of reinforcement and protection of structures, playing an important role in the control of repaired constructions. The smart structures developed are shown to have the ability of measuring temperature and strain.

Abstract
We report the development of a lab prototype for all optical synchronization at 10GHz. Adjusting the distance between the AR coated facet of the MQW semiconductor laser and the ferrule it was possible to induce the self-pulsation needed for correct operation. In the presence of optical RZ signals, the device leaves is natural pulsation frequency synchronizing with the input data.

Abstract
We report the development of two lab prototypes for all optical clock recovery and optical synchronization, composed by a DFB semiconductor laser driven by a ultra-fast switching current circuit. It was verified that a fast switch of the laser bias current accomplished by the strong feedback in the external cavity induce the self-pulsation needed for correct operation. In the presence of optical RZ signals, the device leaves is natural pulsation frequency synchronizing with the input data.

Abstract
In this paper we report the implementation of fiber Bragg gratings with variable negative mean refractive index perturbation, in a highly germanium-doped fiber, resultant from a type IIa exposition regime. The obtained grating presents a favorable group delay characteristic for dispersion compensation applications with reduced bandwidth.

Abstract
This paper summarizes the research activities of the optical communications group at University of Aveiro and Institute of Telecommunications - Aveiro pole. Several activities like clock recovery systems, both electrical and all optical, electrical equalizers for very high bit rate DST systems, post-detection filters for multigigabit optical receivers, soliton systems, simulation work on WDM, DST, EDFA and short pulse generation for high bit rate systems are presented.

Abstract