AI Edge Interrogator for Distributed Optical Fiber Safety Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber sensor systems face inefficiencies in data analysis due to the need for multiple interrogators, leading to centralized data load on servers, computing power issues, and network problems from massive data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an intelligent edge interrogator that collects and preprocesses sensing data, using AI models to analyze short-term safety and transmit relevant data to a server for long-term analysis, thereby distributing the analysis load and reducing network strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized server analyzes data from multiple interrogators, then comprehensive facility safety analysis is achieved, but server load and network congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized analysis function into distributed edge AI models deployed at each interrogator. Each interrogator locally executes AI models to perform preliminary safety analysis, dividing the overall analysis workload across multiple edge devices rather than concentrating it at the central server. This segmentation reduces the computational burden on the central server while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of distributed edge computing architecture, moving from a two-dimensional centralized model (interrogators → server) to a three-dimensional hierarchical model (edge interrogators with AI models → selective data transmission → central server). This dimensional change enables local processing at the edge while preserving central coordination, effectively distributing the analysis load without sacrificing comprehensive safety analysis.
2Loss of information
If all sensing data is transmitted to the center server, then complete data for analysis is available, but network transmission load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes critical safety information at the edge interrogators using AI models before transmission. Instead of transmitting all raw sensing data, the system extracts only the most relevant diagnostic features and safety-critical parameters at the edge, then transmits only this extracted information to the central server. This extraction process maintains data completeness for safety analysis while dramatically reducing network transmission requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data processing and feature extraction at the edge interrogators before data leaves the local device. AI models pre-process sensing data locally, identifying and extracting only the most significant safety-related features in advance. This preliminary action at the edge ensures that complete safety information is captured before transmission, while minimizing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted over the network.
3Reliability
If multiple interrogators are used for multiple facilities, then each facility can be monitored independently, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each interrogator universal by equipping it with embedded AI models capable of performing safety analysis for its associated facility. Each interrogator becomes a multi-functional device that not only collects sensing data but also independently executes AI-based safety diagnostics locally. This universality allows each interrogator to handle complete monitoring and analysis for its facility, reducing the need for additional specialized equipment while maintaining independent monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of an integrated facility safety control system predicts short-term safety of a facility by using an artificial intelligence (AI) model embedded in an intelligent edge interrogator and predicts long-term safety of the facility on the basis of long-term sensing data received from the intelligent edge interrogator by using an AI model embedded in a server. Accordingly, a server and an intelligent edge interrogator may divisionally perform an analysis operation on the short-term safety and long-term safety of facility on the basis of data collected from an optical fiber sensor, and thus, may solve a load of data concentrating on a server, a problem of computing power, and a network problem caused by massive data transmission.