Distributed Fibre Optic Tracking Target Descriptor Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed fibre optic sensing systems, particularly in DAS networks for monitoring transport networks like rail tracks, there is a challenge in maintaining accurate and continuous tracking of targets as they move across different tracker zones, leading to potential drops in tracking performance due to the need for each node to acquire and track targets independently without historical data.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a Target Descriptor that includes tracking data such as current position, velocity, and acceleration, which is shared between tracker nodes when a target is approaching a new zone, allowing the receiving node to continue tracking seamlessly without the need to re-acquire the target from scratch, thus maintaining continuous monitoring across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each tracker node independently acquires and tracks targets without historical data, then the system maintains distributed tracking across multiple zones, but tracking accuracy deteriorates when targets move between zones due to loss of historical context
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the first tracker node prepare and transmit a Target Descriptor containing historical tracking data (position, velocity, acceleration) to the second tracker node before the target fully enters the new zone. This advance preparation ensures the receiving node has historical context ready, maintaining tracking accuracy without waiting for the target to be detected independently in the new zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A Target Descriptor acts as an intermediary data structure that carries historical tracking information from the first tracker node to the second tracker node. This intermediary object bridges the information gap between zones, allowing the receiving node to continue tracking with historical context rather than starting from scratch, thus resolving the information loss problem while maintaining distributed architecture.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple DAS interrogator units are deployed across large areas, then coverage scope is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple independent tracking nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the tracking functions of multiple distributed tracker nodes through standardized Target Descriptor exchange. Instead of having completely independent tracking systems, the nodes are combined into a coordinated network where each node contributes to continuous target tracking across zones. This merging approach maintains the distributed coverage advantage while reducing overall system complexity through unified tracking logic and data formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The Target Descriptor serves as a universal data structure that can be used by any tracker node in the network, regardless of location or specific implementation details. This multi-functional object enables any node to continue tracking any target that enters its zone, making the system more versatile and easier to manage. The universal interface reduces complexity by providing a standard method for inter-node communication across the entire network.
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
This approach enhances tracking accuracy and performance by providing historical data to subsequent tracker nodes, ensuring smooth handover of target tracking and reducing the burden on individual nodes, thereby maintaining consistent monitoring of targets across the network.
Implementation Method 1
By analysing the radiation backscattered from within the fibre, the fibre can effectively be divided into a plurality of discrete sensing portions
Implementation Method 2
Within each discrete sensing portion mechanical disturbances of the fibre, for instance, strains due to incident acoustic waves, cause a variation in the properties of the radiation which is backscattered from that portion
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
This application describes methods and apparatus for tracking targets (105) in a fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) network (100). The DAS network comprises a plurality of interrogator units (103) interrogating sensing fibres (102) deployed along paths of interest to provide DAS sensors. Targets are tracked (303) at each of a plurality of tracker nodes (106-1, 106-2, 106-3) of the DAS network, where each tracker node receives measurement signals from one or more DAS sensors and applies a tracking algorithm to track any targets in a respective tracker zone. Each tracker node maintains, for each target, a tracking dataset of target properties for tracking that target. The method involves identifying (307) when a first target in a first tracker zone of a first tracker node is approaching a second tracker zone of a second tracker node and supplying (308) from the first tracker node to the second tracker node a Target Descriptor for the first target. The second tracker node uses the Target Descriptor to track any entry of the first target into the second tracker zone.