Fiber Sensing Ring Topology for Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber sensing systems, particularly those using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), lack protection functions and fail to provide comprehensive sensing in optical networks, especially in bus topology where a fault point disrupts sensing beyond that point, necessitating a system that can detect and isolate faults across all optical networks.
Innovation Solution
A fiber sensing system comprising multiple ring structures with fiber sensors, an optical coupler, and a switching unit in a central office that forms two paths within the ring structures to inject and analyze light source signals, enabling detection of fault points by analyzing reflective signals using a processing unit and lookup table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bus topology is used for fiber sensing system, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because fault points disrupt sensing beyond that point
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber sensing system is segmented into multiple independent ring structures, each capable of autonomous sensing. This segmentation allows the system to isolate faults to specific segments while maintaining sensing capability in other segments, resolving the reliability issue of bus topology without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a linear bus topology to a ring topology, adding a dimensional change in the network architecture. This ring structure provides alternative signal paths, allowing sensing to continue around the ring when a fault occurs, thereby maintaining sensing continuity while keeping the structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If ring structures with multiple paths are implemented, then reliability is improved through fault detection and isolation, but device complexity increases due to additional optical couplers and switching units
Solution Approach 1:
The optical coupler and switching unit are designed to perform multiple functions: signal injection, fault detection, and path switching. By making these components multi-functional, the system achieves high reliability through ring protection mechanisms without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring structure implements self-service through automatic fault detection and isolation. When a fault is detected in one path, the system automatically switches to the alternative path without requiring complex external control systems, thereby improving reliability while keeping the control architecture relatively simple.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensing of all optical networks is required, then measurement precision is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to fault isolation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where reflective signals from fiber sensors are continuously monitored and analyzed. This feedback allows the system to automatically detect faults, determine their locations with high precision, and switch paths accordingly, thereby achieving comprehensive sensing without significantly increasing measurement difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary fault detection by continuously monitoring reflective signals before faults can propagate and cause system-wide failures. This preliminary detection capability allows for early intervention and precise fault localization, improving measurement precision while keeping the detection process relatively simple through continuous passive monitoring.
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 precise identification and isolation of fault points in fiber sensing systems, ensuring continuous sensing across optical networks by forming multiple loops and paths to detect and analyze reflective signals, thereby enhancing reliability and survivability.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the ring structures has at least one fiber sensor to receive and reflect a light source signal
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber sensing system is provided, including a plurality of ring structures, an optical coupler and a switching unit. Each of the ring structures has at least one fiber sensor to receive and reflect a light source signal. The optical coupler is directly connected to the ring structures thereby injecting the light source signal into the ring structures to form a plurality of loops. The switching unit is disposed in a central office having two output terminals coupled to the ring structure respectively by the optical coupler, thereby forming a first path and a second path in the loops, such that the light source signal is injected into the first path and the second path sequentially by the switching unit.