Fiber Cable Protection Using Encoded Ground Vibrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems rely on passive detection of excavation work, which is inaccurate due to environmental noise interference, and fail to provide timely location information for fiber infrastructure protection.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that actively provides vibrations to the soil at an excavation site with a predefined message, using fiber cables as sensors to detect and derive the excavation details, enabling early warning and communication systems for preventive actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive detection of excavation work is used, then the system can detect vibrations, but the accuracy is limited due to environmental noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by actively generating test vibrations and transmitting encoded messages through the ground before actual excavation begins. This proactive approach allows the system to establish a baseline and detect excavation activities in advance, rather than passively waiting for vibrations to occur. The encoded messages carry information about the excavation location and timing, enabling the system to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies mechanical vibration by using a vibration source to generate controlled vibrations that propagate through the ground and soil. These vibrations carry encoded messages that can be detected by the fiber optic sensing system. The use of mechanical vibrations with specific frequency patterns allows the system to differentiate between intentional excavation signals and environmental noise, significantly improving detection accuracy.
2Loss of time
If passive detection is used, then the system can identify vibration sources, but the location information is obtained only after work has started
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits encoded vibration messages that contain information about the planned excavation location and timing before the actual excavation begins. This allows the receiving system to prepare in advance and take preventive measures, such as alerting operators or activating protective mechanisms, thereby reducing response time and preventing fiber damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses encoded vibration messages as an intermediary carrier to transmit information about excavation activities. These messages contain embedded data about the location, timing, and nature of the excavation work. By decoding these messages, the system obtains early location information without waiting for the actual excavation vibrations to occur, thus eliminating the time loss associated with passive detection.
3Reliability
If active vibration transmission with encoded messages is used, then early warning capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using the existing fiber optic cable to serve both as a communication medium for transmitting encoded vibration messages and as a sensing element for detecting ground vibrations. This dual use of the fiber optic infrastructure eliminates the need for separate sensing systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability for fiber protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable serves itself by simultaneously functioning as both the transmission medium for encoded messages and the sensor for detecting vibrations. The system uses the fiber's inherent properties to detect vibrations without requiring additional specialized sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while improving the reliability of fiber infrastructure protection through continuous monitoring and early warning capabilities.
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 accurate and proactive protection of fiber infrastructure by actively transmitting excavation messages through vibrations, allowing for timely preventive measures to avoid damage.
Implementation Method 1
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) utilizes an optical fiber cable to obtain sensing data associated with vibration signals along the fiber cable
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a first apparatus is configured to provide vibrations to the soil at a location of an excavation work, wherein the vibrations carry a message related to the excavation work. In another embodiment, a second apparatus is configured to obtain data of vibrations associated with a fiber cable at a location of an excavation work; wherein the data includes amplitude and frequency of the vibrations over time. And the second apparatus is further configured to derive, from the obtained data, a message related to the excavation work.