Multi-Band DFOS Processing by Fiber Segment for Balanced SNR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed fiber optic sensing systems face inefficiencies in processing resource usage, particularly due to varying signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) along the length of the optical fiber, leading to increased costs and power consumption without necessary processing of all bands.
Innovation Solution
The system logically divides the optical fiber into segments, allocating more frequency bands to locations farther from the interrogator and fewer bands nearer to it, with variable code lengths, to balance SNR and reduce processing power and memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multi-band processing is applied uniformly along the entire fiber length, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but processing resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different numbers of frequency bands to different locations along the fiber based on their specific SNR requirements. Remote locations that suffer from higher attenuation receive more frequency bands to compensate for signal loss, while near locations use fewer bands since their SNR is already adequate. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching processing resources to actual needs at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of frequency bands allocated to each fiber segment based on distance from the interrogator. The allocation is not static but varies along the fiber length, with the number of bands being a dynamic parameter that adapts to the propagation characteristics and SNR conditions at each location.
2Measurement precision
If more frequency bands are processed for all locations, then system sensitivity is enhanced, but chip cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the fiber are assigned different numbers of frequency bands based on their distance from the interrogator and corresponding SNR requirements. This localized quality approach ensures that sensitivity enhancement is applied only where needed (remote segments), rather than uniformly across the entire fiber, thereby reducing the overall processing complexity and chip cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using more frequency bands than the minimum single-band requirement only for specific segments (remote locations) that need it, rather than applying excessive multi-band processing to all locations. This selective application achieves the necessary sensitivity enhancement while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
3Reliability
If uniform multi-band processing is used throughout the fiber, then Rayleigh fading is reduced, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allocating different numbers of frequency bands to different fiber segments based on their fading compensation needs. Remote segments that experience more severe Rayleigh fading effects receive more bands for compensation, while near segments use fewer bands, thereby optimizing memory usage while maintaining reliability where it is most critical.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) systems and methods that more efficiently employ processing resources which in turn provide one or more of reduced chip costs, reduced processing power necessary, and more supported bands by employing more frequency bands for DFOS sensor fiber locations farther away from an interrogator, and fewer frequency bands for DFOS sensor fiber locations nearer to the interrogator such that a more balanced performance is realized for locations along the length of the DFOS sensor fiber as compared with contemporary systems and methods.