For vibration control applications, a collocated input/output response is
generally desired. A perfect sensor/actuator collocation usually provides a
stable performance in closed-loop feedback controls. Self-sensing actuators
of various types have been proposed, but they still show several problems
such as hysteresis, phase error, non-linear response, and complexity of the
compensation technique. This paper presents a new patch-type self-sensing
actuator based on an extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometer and a piezoelectric
ceramic. The proposed self-sensing actuator not only guarantees stabilities in
‘direct-feedback control loops’ such as in existing sensoriactuators but also
has better strain resolution and a wider dynamic sensing range. Finally, the
application of active vibration control is demonstrated using the self-sensing
actuator developed.