Fiber Cable Fault Location via Vibration Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques fail to accurately identify the location of faults in deployed fiber cables, leading to wasted resources and time in finding the correct location for repair, as they rely on distance measurements from a central office that cannot be accurately correlated to geographic locations due to localized path deviations and spare cable looping.
Innovation Solution
A measurement platform that uses sensor devices and vibration devices to measure cable distances and generate correlated location data based on vibrations along the fiber cable, allowing for precise identification of fault locations and efficient resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distance measurements from central office are used to identify fault locations, then the measurement process is simple, but the location accuracy deteriorates due to path deviations and cable looping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vibrations as an intermediary physical phenomenon to bridge the gap between cable distance measurements and geographic locations. By generating vibrations at known geographic positions along the cable route and detecting them at the fault location, the system creates a correlation map that accurately translates distance measurements into precise geographic coordinates, overcoming the inaccuracy caused by path deviations and cable looping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by generating detectable vibrations at specific geographic locations along the fiber cable route. These vibrations travel through the cable and can be detected by sensors, allowing the system to establish a relationship between cable distance and geographic position. This vibration-based approach enables accurate fault location identification despite the complex physical layout of the cable
2Loss of time
If incorrect location identification methods are used, then resource consumption increases due to travel and re-inspection, but the initial location identification speed appears fast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing a correlation database that maps cable distances to geographic locations before actual fault detection occurs. This database is created by systematically generating vibrations at known locations and recording their corresponding cable distances. When a fault occurs, the system can immediately query this pre-established database to determine the accurate geographic location, eliminating the need for trial-and-error field inspections and reducing both time and resource consumption
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 solution enables quick and accurate identification of fault locations, conserving computing, networking, and human resources by eliminating the need for incorrect location identification and travel, thereby improving repair efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A measurement platform that uses sensor devices and vibration devices to measure cable distances and generate correlated location data based on vibrations along the fiber cable
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive, from a sensor device, cable distance data identifying cable distances along the fiber cable to vibrations experienced by the fiber cable from a vibration device. The device may receive location data identifying geographic coordinates associated with the vibrations, and may correlate the cable distance data and the location data to generate correlated data. The device may receive, from the sensor device, data identifying a cable distance along the fiber cable to an alarm condition associated with the fiber cable, and may determine geographic coordinates associated with the alarm condition based on the correlated data and the data identifying the cable distance along the fiber cable to the alarm condition. The device may perform actions based on the geographic coordinates associated with the alarm condition.