Distributed Acoustic Sensing Interrogator Noise Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distributed acoustic sensing technology faces challenges in accurately measuring environment information due to noise caused by vibrations or sounds applied to the interrogator, which can lead to false alerts, such as incorrect earthquake detection.

Innovation Solution

An environment information acquisition apparatus and method that includes an information acquisition unit for receiving optical signals from an optical fiber, an information provision unit for outputting measurement data, and a detection unit for identifying vibrations or sounds applied to the interrogator, allowing for the addition of reliability decrease markers to measurement data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration-proof and soundproof housing measures are taken for the interrogator, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a detection unit as an intermediary component that detects vibration and sound applied to the interrogator. This unit provides information about external disturbances, allowing the system to identify and exclude anomalous measurement data without requiring complex vibration-proof housing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit provides feedback information about vibration and sound conditions to the system, enabling real-time identification of measurement anomalies. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust its operation or flag problematic data without physical isolation measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If vibration-proof and soundproof housing measures are taken for the interrogator, then false alerts are reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalse alert reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit serves as an intermediary that monitors vibration and sound conditions, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive vibration-proof and soundproof housing. This unit enables the system to distinguish between legitimate environmental signals and noise-induced anomalies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical isolation solutions (vibration-proof housing) with a detection and identification system. Instead of physically isolating the interrogator from vibrations and sounds, the system detects these disturbances and uses information from the detection unit to identify and exclude anomalous data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the interrogator is made more sensitive to detect environment information, then measurement precision is improved, but susceptibility to vibration and sound noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment information detection precisionVSAvoidvibration and sound susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit acts as an intermediary that monitors the conditions affecting the interrogator. By providing information about vibration and sound levels, it enables the system to identify when measurement precision may be compromised by external disturbances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection unit to identify anomalous measurement data caused by vibration and sound. This feedback mechanism allows highly sensitive measurements to be performed while maintaining reliability through post-processing identification of compromised data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables the determination of anomalous measurement data caused by vibrations or sounds applied to the interrogator, preventing false alerts by distinguishing between actual seismic activity and noise-induced anomalies.

Implementation Method 1

Reflected return light is constantly generated due to a scattering phenomenon such as Rayleigh scattering when probe light passes through an optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRayleigh scattering: Rayleigh Scattering

Implementation Method 2

DAS measures a phase change of reflected return light distributively reflected and returning from an optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20240142647A1Environment information acquisition apparatus, environment information acquisition method, and computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 NEC CORP

AI summary

An environment information acquisition apparatus (400) according to the present disclosure includes an information acquisition unit (410) configured to receive, from an optical fiber (500), an optical signal including a pattern in accordance with environment information applied to the optical fiber (500) and acquire the environment information based on the optical signal; an information provision unit (430) configured to output measurement data representing the environment information to outside; and a detection unit (420) configured to detect vibration or sound applied to the information acquisition unit (410).