A broadband fiber optic sensor array is formed along a length of single mode optical fiber, with the individual sensing elements formed by introducing local perturbations (e.g., changes in diameter) along the length of the optical fiber. The sensor array requires only a single light source input and a single (conventional) optical spectrum analyzer output and is capable of providing individual measurements (such as local temperature or pressure) for each sensing element disposed along the length of fiber. The individual transmission spectra of the sensing elements forming the array are smooth and strongly overlap, and a method has been developed for determining the characteristics of the individual elements from the variations in the total (combined) transmission spectrum.