Optical Fiber Laid-State Mapping Using Vehicle Vibration History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber sensing systems cannot identify the position on a map where an event has occurred, despite being able to detect vibrations along the optical fiber, necessitating a method to determine the laid state without generating specific signals.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes an optical fiber to detect vehicle vibrations, acquires vibration information and travel history, and identifies the laid state based on changes over time in both, without generating specific signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration acoustic signals are generated at each pit position to identify the laid state of the optical fiber, then the laid state can be identified, but the system complexity and operational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by using naturally occurring vehicle vibrations as calibration signals instead of requiring an external signal generation system. The optical fiber detects vibrations from passing vehicles, and the system uses these ambient vibrations to automatically determine the laid state, eliminating the need for manual signal generation at each pit position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vehicle vibrations as an intermediary element to transfer information about the laid state. Instead of directly measuring physical properties of the optical fiber at each pit position, the system uses the intermediate medium (vehicle vibrations) to indirectly determine the laid state through pattern recognition and comparison.
2Measurement precision
If calibration acoustic signals are generated at successive pit locations to determine laid state, then spatial calibration can be performed, but the time and resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous calibration by using ongoing vehicle traffic as the calibration source. Instead of performing discrete calibration operations at each pit position, the system continuously monitors vibrations from passing vehicles and progressively builds up the spatial calibration information, transforming a time-consuming batch process into a continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically processing vibration data from vehicles to determine the laid state and spatial relationships, eliminating the need for manual calibration operations and significantly reducing the time and human resources required.
3Loss of information
If specific calibration signals are generated at each pit position, then the laid state can be identified, but additional equipment and operational procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically extracts laid state information from vehicle vibration patterns without requiring manual intervention. The processing unit automatically compares detected vibrations with stored reference patterns and determines the laid state, eliminating complex manual procedures while ensuring complete information capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing element for detecting vibrations and as the medium for spatial calibration. The same infrastructure that detects events along the fiber also provides the reference signals for calibration, eliminating the need for separate calibration equipment and simplifying operations.
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 identification of the optical fiber's laid state and immediate attention to anomalies, utilizing existing vehicle travel data to determine event locations without additional signal generation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber laid in a road and configured to detect vibration generated by traveling of a vehicle on the road
Data Source
AI summary
A laid state identifying system (1) according to the present disclosure includes: an optical fiber (10) laid in a road (30) and configured to detect vibration generated by traveling of a vehicle (40) on the road (30); a vibration information acquiring unit (21) configured to receive an optical signal from the optical fiber (10) and acquire, from the optical signal, vibration information indicating the vibration; a history information acquiring unit (22) configured to acquire history information indicating a travel history of the vehicle (40); and a laid state identifying unit (23) configured to identify a laid state of the optical fiber (10) based on a change over time in the history information and a change over time in the vibration information.