Smart Fibres

What Smart Fibres does

Smart Fibres Ltd is a UK-based fibre optic sensing specialist that designs and manufactures Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) interrogators, sensors, and integrated monitoring systems for ultra-harsh industrial environments. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Bracknell, the company pioneered commercial FBG interrogation and continues to develop a proprietary SmartLaser core technology built around standard telecoms tuneable lasers, delivering 40 femtometre resolution and 1 picometre accuracy across a -20 to +60 °C operating range. The product portfolio spans the SmartScan interrogator family (including SmartScan, SmartScan Aero Mini, SmartScan SBI, Modular SmartScan, SmartScope, and Wellhead SmartScope), FBG sensors (SmartFBG, SmartPatch, SmartWeld, SmartTape, and SmartPort), and application software (SmartSoft), assembled into vertical solutions such as the Distributed Pressure and Temperature Sensing (DPTS) system for oil and gas and SmartBlade for wind turbines.

The company serves three primary verticals: oil and gas (permanent downhole pressure and temperature monitoring, fluid contact monitoring, HPHT well surveillance, kick detection), aerospace (structural health monitoring, landing gear position sensing, flight-qualified interrogators), and wind energy (blade root load monitoring for pitch control and fatigue life extension). It sells exclusively through direct enterprise field sales supported by inside sales and a global field installation engineering team, with quote-based pricing and no public price list. Named customers include Shell, Petroleum Development Oman, Airbus, BAE Systems, and Enercon, alongside EU and Innovate UK consortium programmes such as UpWind, AHMOS, BladeSave, and FLG2. Since December 2018, Smart Fibres has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Halliburton Energy Services, with its DPTS technology integrated alongside Halliburton's distributed temperature and acoustic sensing offerings for global oilfield customers.

Name

Smart Fibres

Legal name

Smart Fibres Ltd

Website

https://smartfibres.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Fibres is a UK-based pioneer in Fibre Bragg Grating optical sensing, designing interrogators, sensors, and integrated monitoring systems for oil and gas, aerospace, and wind energy customers. A wholly-owned Halliburton subsidiary since 2018, it sells directly to large industrial enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Fibre Sensing Equipment

NAICS

Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921), Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing (335929)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV) (HDAHALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fiber-Optic Interconnects (Connectors/Cables/Transceivers Interfaces) (HDAHAOAE), Fiber Optic Cabling (Singlemode/Multimode) (HDAFALAB), Fiber Distribution, Splice & Termination (ODF/Enclosures/Splice Trays) (HDAFALAG), Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM), Data, Communications & Fiber Optic Cable (IMADAMAD)

Keywords

• Fibre optic sensing
• FBG interrogators
• Distributed pressure sensing
• Structural health monitoring
• Downhole monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Bracknell

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. FBG Interrogator Hardware Sales: Smart Fibres develops, manufactures and sells a broad range of industry-leading FBG interrogator products including SmartScan, SmartScan Aero Mini, SmartScan SBI, Modular SmartScan, SmartScope, and Wellhead SmartScope. Interrogators can be supplied together with FBG sensors as complete instrument sales.
2. FBG Sensor Sales: Sale of FBG sensors including SmartFBG (bare fibre), SmartPatch (surface-bonded strain/temperature sensor), SmartWeld (weldable strain sensor), SmartTape (vein cloth strain/temperature sensor), and SmartPort (downhole pressure/temperature gauge). Sensors available singly or in multiple arrays. Typically sold alongside interrogators.
3. DPTS System & Downhole Components: Complete Distributed Pressure and Temperature Sensing (DPTS) systems for oil & gas applications, including SmartPort gauges, downhole optical cable, SmartPB surface pressure barriers, SmartSplit cable junction systems, SmartMandrel gauge carriers, and Wellhead SmartScope surface instrumentation. Sold as integrated systems or individual components.
4. Extended Warranty & Support Services: Standard one-year warranty on all fibre optic interrogators, which can be extended on a year-by-year basis. Extended warranty available at time of initial purchase on request. Free telephone and email technical support provided to all customers.
5. Custom Software Development Services: Smart Fibres offers customisation of SmartSoft application software to meet particular requirements of overall monitoring systems. Four options: custom LabVIEW plug-ins, custom LabVIEW interfaces, custom interfaces in other programming languages, or Smart Fibres-led customisation.
6. Field Installation Services: Smart Fibres offers field installation services through a highly experienced team of field installation engineers that can be mobilised globally to install systems or sensors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smart Fibres develops, manufactures and sells Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) optical fibre sensing products comprising FBG interrogators, FBG sensors, application software and integrated monitoring systems. Its offerings enable strain, temperature, pressure and position measurement in harsh and hazardous environments for enterprise customers in oil & gas (downhole DPTS), aerospace (structural health monitoring), and wind energy (blade loads monitoring). All interrogators use Smart Fibres' proprietary SmartLaser tunable-laser WDM platform.

Product overview

Smart Fibres is a pioneer in Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensing technology, offering a comprehensive portfolio of FBG interrogators, sensors, and integrated systems for demanding industrial environments. The core product line consists of FBG interrogators (SmartScan family including SmartScan, SmartScan Aero Mini, SmartScan SBI, Modular SmartScan, SmartScope, and Wellhead SmartScope) that illuminate sensor networks and record optical reflections in real time, paired with FBG sensors (SmartFBG, SmartPatch, SmartWeld, SmartTape, SmartPort) that measure strain, temperature, and pressure in harsh environments. The SmartSoft application software suite converts measured data into usable information. For oil and gas applications, Smart Fibres offers the complete Distributed Pressure and Temperature Sensing (DPTS) system combining SmartPort gauges, downhole cable, SmartPB barriers, Wellhead SmartScope instrumentation, and SmartSplit cable connectors. For wind energy, the SmartBlade system provides blade loads monitoring. The company was acquired by Halliburton in December 2018 and develops FBG technology with tunable laser WDM interrogation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartScan: High-speed FBG interrogator for dynamic measurements with ultra-high-resolution quasi-static measurement capability when averaging.
• SmartScan Aero Mini
• SmartScan SBI
• Modular SmartScan
• SmartScope
• Wellhead SmartScope
• SmartSoft
• SmartFBG
• SmartPatch
• SmartWeld
• SmartTape
• SmartPort
• SmartBlade
• SmartSplit
• SmartPB
• SmartMandrel
• DPTS (Distributed Pressure and Temperature Sensing)

Products and services

• SmartScan FBG Interrogator Ultra-compact, robust WDM FBG interrogator for dynamic measurement of FBG sensors at multi-kilohertz frequencies with high resolution via over-sampling and averaging, suitable for industrial sensing applications in harsh environments.
• SmartScan Aero Mini Miniaturised FBG interrogator based on the SmartScan architecture, suitable for aerospace flight and other harsh environment applications; Military Standard environmental qualified for use on military aircraft, with onboard 16 GB internal flash memory for extended flight trial data logging.
• SmartScan SBI (Single Board Interrogator) Complete single-board Eurocard-format FBG interrogator offering SmartScan performance on an OEM module suitable for client integration, with scalable 4, 8, 12 or 16 fibre modular architecture.
• SBI Processing Module PC104-format processing module that connects to the SmartScan SBI to run software routines, read high-speed FBG wavelength data and package data for processing or communication, including a Software Development Kit with Linux kernel, driver and documented C function library for OEM customers.
• Modular SmartScan 19-inch rack-format variant of the SmartScan FBG interrogator offering up to 16 channels and an 80 nm wavelength range for large sensor network interrogation in industrial installations.
• SmartScope FBG Interrogator High resolution FBG interrogator with internal optical reference for improved stability and accuracy, insensitive to polarisation effects with no moving parts, intended for demanding quasi-static FBG sensing applications.
• Wellhead SmartScope Next-generation high-resolution FBG interrogator with increased wavelength accuracy over a wider temperature range, performing real-time data processing onboard so no surface PC is required, designed for harsh environment applications such as desert oil well monitoring.
• SmartSoft Application Software Suite of LabVIEW-based applications supplied free of charge with every Smart Fibres interrogation system, providing data display, logging, analysis and remote communication using industrial protocols, with support for custom plug-in and interface development.
• SmartFBG (Bare FBG Sensor) Unpackaged FBG sensor supplied within single-mode optical fibre for strain and temperature measurements; multiple FBGs can be recorded on one fibre for distributed monitoring and sensors are available singly or in arrays.
• SmartPatch Surface-Bonded FBG Sensor Robust, FRP-patch based surface-bonded FBG strain and temperature sensor available in short or long gauge length variants for metal, concrete and composite substrates.
• SmartWeld Weldable FBG Sensor Weldable FBG strain and temperature sensor attached to a thin stainless steel plate for spot welding onto steel structures, with a hermetically sealed variant; fatigue tested to 6 million cycles at +/-500 microstrain.
• SmartTape Composite-Embeddable FBG Sensor Flexible, low-profile FBG strain and temperature sensor integrated within a glass fibre veil cloth for composite embedment or surface bonding onto irregular shaped structures.
• SmartPort Fibre Optic Pressure/Temperature Gauge Low profile 3/4 inch fibre optic pressure and temperature gauge for downhole hydrocarbon well and other extreme harsh environment deployments, using two FBG sensors with no downhole electronics and all-metal sealing; up to 15 gauges multiplexed on 2 fibres (30 on a 4-fibre cable with Y-splitter); NACE MR0175 compliant and constructed of Inconel 718.
• Distributed Pressure and Temperature Sensing (DPTS) System Complete downhole permanent pressure and temperature monitoring system for oil and gas applications, comprising SmartPort P/T gauges, downhole optical cable, SmartPB surface pressure barrier, Wellhead SmartScope surface instrumentation and SmartSoft software, supporting real-time fluid level monitoring, multi-zone production monitoring, fluid offtake monitoring, HPHT well monitoring, inflow profiling and kick detection.
• SmartBlade Wind Turbine Blade Loads Monitoring System Complete fibre optic sensing system for wind turbine blade root loads measurement, processing data into flapwise and edgewise bending moments to support independent pitch control optimisation, residual fatigue life calculation and detection of blade ice formation and melting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Resolution of 40 femtometers and accuracy of 1 picometer across -20 to +60 deg C operating range
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• BladeSave Consortium (EWT, TWI, Assist, Renewable Advice)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017BladeSave is a European project co-funded by the Horizon 2020 programme, running from June 2017 to June 2019. The consortium aims to commercialise a fusion between a Fibre Optic Structural Health Monitoring System and blade management software for wind turbine blade monitoring, repair, and management. Smart Fibres is a consortium partner contributing optical fibre sensing expertise to resolve industry problems with conventional sensors affected by static electricity and lightning strikes.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Smart Fibres collaborated with Airbus on the Future Landing Gear 2 (FLG2) research project, funded through Innovate UK. The project ran from 2017-2019 and focused on developing FBG-based position sensing devices (proximity sensors) for bulk cargo doors and landing gear bays, and advanced tachometers for wheel speed monitoring on Airbus commercial aircraft. Smart Fibres designed fibre optic sensors to overcome high performance requirements (fast response, high accuracy), dimensional constraints, and harsh environmental conditions including shock, vibration, and very low temperatures.
• ShellmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Smart Fibres developed DPTS technology with Shell and Petroleum Development Oman under a joint project. The distributed pressure sensing technology graduated Shell's final technology readiness level, demonstrating commercial maturity after several years of field trials. Shell provided 10 years of unwavering support for Smart Fibres' distributed pressure sensing technologies. Smart Fibres CEO Chris Staveley noted this was an important milestone for the company.
• Innovate UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Innovate UK funded the Future Landing Gear 2 (FLG2) research project in collaboration with Airbus, for which Smart Fibres developed FBG-based sensors for aerospace applications. Prior to FLG2, Smart Fibres also participated in the ASHLEY EU-funded research project.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Smart Fibres together with TNO developed a fibre optic based Vortex Shedding flow meter (SmartFlow), specifically designed to estimate the amount of liquid present in two-phase flow for steam-based oil recovery applications. Joint testing performed on Shell's multi-phase flow loop (DONAU) and AREVA's High-Pressure High-Temperature test facility (BENSON).
• UpWind Consortium (40 European Partners)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006UpWind was a European Commission FP6 Framework project (2006-2011) bringing together 40 partners including wind industry leaders, research institutions, and technology companies to develop design tools for very large wind turbines (8-10 MW). Smart Fibres participated in Work Package 7 focused on optimised condition monitoring systems for next-generation wind turbines. Partners included GE Wind Energy, Vestas, LM Glasfiber, Shell Windenergy, Risoe National Laboratory, and many others.
• AHMOS/AHMOS II EU Research ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000AHMOS (Active Health Monitoring System) was an 8-nation EU-funded collaborative project to define, develop and demonstrate practical structural health monitoring systems for military aircraft. Smart Fibres contributed FBG sensor technology evaluated on Eurofighter pylon housing box and Fokker 100 fuselage panel. AHMOS II (2004-2007) advanced to flight-worthy interrogator development with successful flight trials on BAe Systems Hawk trainer aircraft achieving TRL 7. Consortium included BAE Systems, QinetiQ, EADS, Patria, VTT, Stork Fokker, Alenia, and many others.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HBK FiberSensing: HBK (HBM) FiberSensing markets FS22 and FS30 FBG interrogators alongside a wide FBG sensor catalogue, competing head-to-head with Smart Fibres in structural health monitoring for civil engineering, wind, and aerospace applications across Europe.
• AP Sensing: AP Sensing manufactures DTS and distributed strain/temperature sensing systems used in power cable monitoring, fire detection, and oil & gas — directly comparable to Smart Fibres' optical sensing systems with overlapping industrial end markets.
• Silixa: Silixa is a UK-based distributed fiber optic sensing specialist offering high-resolution distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and distributed temperature sensing (DTS), directly competing for oil & gas downhole monitoring budgets alongside Smart Fibres' DPTS offering.
• OptaSense (QinetiQ): OptaSense, now part of QinetiQ and Luna, provides distributed acoustic sensing for oil & gas well and pipeline monitoring. It is a direct competitor in the same Halliburton-addressable O&G fiber optic monitoring market segment as Smart Fibres' DPTS.
• Luna Innovations: Luna Innovations (parent of former Micron Optics) is the closest direct peer, offering the Hyperion family of FBG interrogators and a broad FBG sensor portfolio serving aerospace, civil engineering, energy, and industrial structural health monitoring — directly competing against SmartScan and SmartScope.
• NKT Photonics: NKT Photonics supplies FBG-based sensing interrogators and components, including aerospace-grade instruments, making it a direct technical peer to Smart Fibres' SmartScan platform in both research and industrial applications.
• Bandweaver Technologies: Bandweaver provides distributed temperature and linear heat sensing systems for industrial process monitoring, oil & gas, and power — competing with Smart Fibres' downhole and structural fiber optic sensing offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Weatherford International: Weatherford is a major oilfield services incumbent offering its own fiber optic completion and downhole monitoring solutions, overlapping with Smart Fibres' DPTS offering and competing for the same IOC/NOC monitoring budgets.
• Yokogawa Electric: Yokogawa is a large industrial automation incumbent whose DTS products compete with Smart Fibres' downhole temperature and pressure sensing offerings in oil & gas, while its broader instrumentation portfolio overlaps with Smart Fibres' measurement capabilities.

Regional players

• Sensornet: Sensornet is a UK-based distributed fiber optic sensing company offering DTS and strain systems for oil & gas, civil, and energy markets — a regional peer with similar fiber sensing technology targeting comparable European customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-fibres

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Fibres