Co-Frequency Sharing for Integrated Optical Fiber Sensing and Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated systems for optical fiber sensing and communication have low integration degree, high complexity, and low transmission efficiency due to the use of wavelength-division multiplexing and frequency-division multiplexing, which only share the physical medium and are essentially two independent systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that shares co-frequency resources by generating a transmission optical signal and sensing detection light using a single laser, with modulation power adjustment to optimize system performance, employing direct detection at the far-end and heterodyne coherent detection at the local-end, and utilizing a linear FM optical carrier for both transmission and sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wavelength-division multiplexing and frequency-division multiplexing are used to integrate sensing and communication systems, then both systems can operate simultaneously, but the integration degree remains low and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sensing and communication functions into a single coherent detection system by using the same optical carrier for both purposes. The transmitted optical signal serves dual functions: carrying communication data and enabling distributed sensing through coherent detection, thereby achieving high integration degree while reducing system complexity through resource sharing
Solution Approach 2:
The optical carrier is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it carries modulation signals for communication transmission and serves as the reference signal for coherent detection in sensing applications. This multi-functionality allows a single system to achieve both communication and sensing objectives without requiring separate independent systems
2Productivity
If wavelength-division multiplexing and frequency-division multiplexing are used for integration, then physical medium sharing is achieved, but transmission efficiency remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensing and communication signals in the same frequency domain by using linear FM optical sidebands. The communication signal and sensing reference signal share the same optical carrier frequency, enabling simultaneous transmission and detection without requiring wavelength division, thereby improving transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses linear FM (chirp) modulation to generate optical sidebands with specific frequency characteristics. By controlling the frequency sweep parameters of the chirp signal, the system optimizes both communication transmission quality and sensing detection performance, achieving high transmission efficiency through parameter optimization
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate systems are used for sensing and communication, then system independence is maintained, but integration degree and resource utilization are low
Solution Approach 1:
The optical carrier serves universal purposes: it is used for communication signal transmission, coherent detection reference, and distributed sensing measurement. This universality maximizes resource utilization by making the transmitted optical power serve multiple functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensing light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitted communication signal itself serves as the sensing probe. The optical carrier that carries communication data automatically enables distributed sensing through coherent detection, allowing the system to self-serve both communication and sensing functions without requiring additional dedicated resources
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high integration, simplicity, flexibility, and improved transmission and sensing efficiency, allowing for flexible adjustment of system performance and spatial resolution through demodulation parameters.
Implementation Method 1
the mach-zehnder modulator A is driven by a linear FM signal generated by an arbitrary waveform generator to generate a linear FM optical sideband
Implementation Method 2
light output from the mach-zehnder modulator A passes through an optical filter after being amplified by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier A
Implementation Method 3
an optical signal output from a far end of the optical fiber is converted into an electrical signal with a photodetector
Implementation Method 4
a sensing signal is obtained by using heterodyne coherent detection at local-end
Implementation Method 5
light output from the mach-zehnder modulator A passes through an optical filter to retain only +1-order or −1-order sidebands and remove all remaining optical signals
Implementation Method 6
an optical signal output from the mach-zehnder modulator B, after compensating for optical power loss by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier B, is injected into an optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an integrated system for optical fiber sensing and communication through sharing co-frequency resources. Specifically, the system consists of two parts: optical path detection and circuit demodulation. The entire system consists of a continuous wave laser, a fiber coupler, a polarization controller, a mach-zehnder modulator, an arbitrary waveform generator, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier, an optical filter, an optical fiber annular, an optical fiber, a photodetector, a data acquisition device, a balance detector and a data acquisition card. A transmission optical signal and a sensing detection light are generated by the same laser, transmission performance and sensing performance of the system are changed by adjusting modulation power of a transmission signal, the transmission signal is obtained by using direct detection at far-end, a sensing signal is obtained by using heterodyne coherent detection at local-end. The present invention provides a simple, compact and high-efficiency integrated system for co-frequency sharing optical fiber sensing and communication, to solve the deficiencies of the existing integrated system in practical applications.