Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing Over Live Data Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure is limited to conveying high-speed data traffic and lacks the capability to simultaneously perform distributed fiber optic sensing, which is essential for monitoring environmental conditions such as temperature, vibration, and acoustic effects along the fiber length.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that leverages Rayleigh and Raman backscattering to enable distributed fiber optic sensing over existing optical fiber networks, allowing for simultaneous detection of physical properties like vibration, temperature, and acoustic effects, using multiple DFOS systems and optical switches to operate over various network topologies, including star, ring, and mesh configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical fiber is used solely for conveying high-speed data traffic, then data transmission capability is maximized, but distributed fiber optic sensing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is configured to perform multiple functions simultaneously: conveying high-speed data traffic and enabling distributed fiber optic sensing. The system achieves this by allowing the fiber to serve as both a data transmission medium and a sensing element for detecting physical properties such as temperature, vibration, and acoustic effects, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensing fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic modulation of the optical signal to enable sensing while maintaining data transmission. By modulating the optical carrier at specific frequencies and using coherent detection techniques, the system can extract sensing information from the optical fiber without interfering with the high-speed data traffic, allowing both functions to coexist temporally and spectrally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed fiber optic sensing is implemented over existing optical fiber networks, then sensing coverage is expanded, but signal interference with data traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal is segmented into distinct components: data carrying signals and sensing signals. The system uses wavelength division multiplexing to separate data traffic from sensing signals, and temporal segmentation through periodic modulation to allow both types of signals to share the fiber without mutual interference. This segmentation enables comprehensive sensing coverage while minimizing signal interference with data traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer at the receiving end that separates and processes data traffic from sensing signals. Using coherent detection and signal processing techniques, the intermediary system extracts sensing information from the optical fiber while filtering out data traffic, thereby enabling sensing coverage expansion without significant interference with data transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DFOS systems and optical switches are deployed for network-wise sensing, then sensing flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple DFOS systems and optical switches into a unified integrated platform. By combining the functionality of multiple sensing systems and switching elements into a single coordinated system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining sensing flexibility. The integrated system can adapt to different network topologies (star, ring, mesh) through a common control and processing architecture.
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 simultaneous high-speed telecommunications and distributed fiber optic sensing, providing valuable environmental data while maintaining high-speed data transmission, with the ability to detect changes along the entire optical fiber cable, enhancing infrastructure monitoring, intrusion detection, and environmental monitoring applications.
Implementation Method 1
Leveraging Rayleigh and Raman backscattering, systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure allow related physical properties—such as vibration, temperature and acoustic effects—to be sensed at every point along the entire optical fiber cable
Implementation Method 2
Leveraging Rayleigh and Raman backscattering, systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure allow related physical properties—such as vibration, temperature and acoustic effects—to be sensed at every point along the entire optical fiber cable
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure describe optical fiber sensing systems, methods and structures disclosing a distributed fiber sensor network constructed on an existing, live network, data carrying, optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure to detect temperatures, acoustic effects, and vehicle traffic—among others. Of particular significance, sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously identify specific network locations relative to manholes/handholes and environmental conditions within those manholes/handholes namely, normal, flooded, frozen/iced, etc.