OFDR Spectrogram Filtering for Laser Phase Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) systems face issues with phase noise from lasers affecting reproducibility and spectrum structure variation, complicating reception systems and prolonging analysis time.

Innovation Solution

An optical spectrogram is generated, representing a temporal change in frequency characteristics, using a plurality of spectral data measured by an OFDR measurement instrument at different times, and filtering the optical spectrogram in both a time and a frequency direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If phase noise monitoring is added to compensate for laser phase noise, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and analysis time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and strain sensing precisionVSAvoidreception system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful phase noise component from the spectral data through filtering operations. By identifying and eliminating the phase noise contribution, the system achieves accurate temperature and strain sensing without requiring additional monitoring channels, thus avoiding increased device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a filtering operation as an intermediary step between the raw spectral data and the final measurement results. This intermediary filtering process removes phase noise effects without requiring additional sensing channels or complex reception system modifications, effectively mediating between the noisy measurements and the accurate results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If phase noise monitoring is added to compensate for laser phase noise, then measurement precision is improved, but analysis time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and strain sensing precisionVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary filtering operations on the spectral data to remove phase noise effects before the actual temperature and strain analysis. By preparing the data in advance through filtering, the system avoids time-consuming phase noise compensation calculations during the measurement analysis, thus reducing overall analysis time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful phase noise component from the spectral data through filtering operations. By identifying and eliminating the phase noise contribution, the system achieves accurate temperature and strain sensing without requiring additional monitoring channels, thus avoiding increased device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If spectral data is processed to remove phase noise, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral shift analysis precisionVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the spectral data through filtering operations, transforming the raw spectral measurements into processed data with reduced phase noise. By adjusting and optimizing filtering parameters, the system achieves precise spectral shift analysis while keeping the processing algorithm simple and manageable, avoiding excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The optical spectrogram, representing a temporal change in frequency characteristics, using a plurality of spectral data measured by an OFDR measurement instrument at different times, and filtering the optical spectrogram in both a time and a frequency direction.

Implementation Method 1

measuring time-series data (spectrogram) of a spectrum of Rayleigh backscattered light in an optical fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRayleigh backscattering: Rayleigh Scattering

Implementation Method 2

using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), and by analyzing a spectral shift

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical frequency domain reflectometry:

Implementation Method 3

filters the optical spectrogram in both a time direction and a frequency direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP4317920B1Analysis device, measurement system, measurement method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NT T INC
  • EP4317920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4317920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4317920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to reduce measurement instrument noise without complicating a reception system nor prolonging an analysis time. The present disclosure generates an optical spectrogram, representing a temporal change in frequency characteristics, using a plurality of spectral data measured by an OFDR measurement instrument at different times, and filters the optical spectrogram in both a time direction and a frequency direction.