Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Traffic Monitoring via Intelligent Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed fiber optic sensing systems struggle to provide clear and reliable real-time traffic information from deployed optical fibers due to noisy and weak vibration signals, which are not suitable for direct calculation of traffic data without costly and complex hardware.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a distributed fiber optic sensor with DAS or DVS interrogators to detect vibrations, processes the signals using digital filtering and intelligent image analysis techniques such as structuring kernel banks and deep-learning-based contextual image prediction to enhance contrast and extract vehicle traces from noisy waterfall plots, allowing for the derivation of traffic information from existing optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed fiber optic sensing systems are used to detect traffic vibrations, then real-time traffic monitoring capability is provided, but the vibration signals are noisy and weak making them unsuitable for direct traffic data calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intelligent image analysis system as an intermediary between the raw vibration signals and traffic data calculation. This system processes the noisy waterfall signals through advanced algorithms to extract clear vehicle traces, thereby resolving the contradiction between having reliable traffic monitoring capability and dealing with poor quality raw vibration signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical signal processing methods with intelligent image analysis techniques. Instead of using complex hardware or traditional signal filtering, the system uses digital image processing algorithms to analyze the waterfall signals and extract traffic information, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising monitoring reliability
2Measurement precision
If new sensing cables are deployed for traffic monitoring, then signal quality is improved, but labor and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing fiber optic cables to serve dual purposes: their original communication function and traffic monitoring function. By using intelligent image analysis to extract clear vehicle traces from the noisy signals, the system makes the existing infrastructure self-sufficient for traffic monitoring, eliminating the need for separate sensing cables and reducing deployment costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing fiber optic cables multi-functional by enabling them to perform both telecommunications and traffic monitoring functions. The intelligent image analysis system allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple purposes, thereby improving cost-effectiveness without sacrificing measurement precision
3Device complexity
If traditional signal processing is used on noisy waterfall signals, then processing complexity is reduced, but clear vehicle traces cannot be extracted for accurate traffic information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional simple signal processing methods with intelligent image analysis techniques. This substitution increases processing capability to extract clear vehicle traces from noisy signals, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple processing and preserving information quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the vibration signal data into waterfall image format, changing the parameter representation from raw time-series data to spatial-temporal image data. This parameter transformation enables the use of image processing algorithms that can effectively extract vehicle traces while managing processing complexity
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 enables continuous, real-time traffic monitoring along roadways using existing fiber optic cables, reducing labor and operational costs by providing accurate traffic information without the need for new sensing cables, enhancing traffic management and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a distributed fiber optic sensor system including interrogator for distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) or distributed vibration sensing (DVS) that detects a vibration signal along the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a distributed fiber optic sensor system including interrogator for distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) or distributed vibration sensing (DVS) that detects a vibration signal along the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure describe distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) systems, methods, and structures that advantageously provide traffic monitoring, and traffic management which improves the safety and efficiency of a roadway.