Polarization-Sensitive Coherent Reflectometry for Subsea Disturbance Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying environmental disturbances in subsea optical communication systems are costly and time-consuming, requiring additional maintenance and impacting data streams.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver system comprising an optical source, modulator, transmitter module, narrowband filter, polarimeter, and optical loopback is used to encode data into a continuous wave optical signal with a tone signal outside the frequency band, allowing for rapid identification of disturbances without disrupting data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor network is deployed along the optical communication system to identify environmental disturbances, then the location of disturbances can be identified, but the system becomes costly, time-consuming, and requires additional maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The optical communication system performs self-diagnosis by using its own transmitted optical signals to detect environmental disturbances. The system analyzes reflections and backscattered light from its operational signals, eliminating the need for external sensor networks while maintaining disturbance detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical signals serve dual purposes: transmitting data communication and simultaneously acting as probe signals for environmental disturbance detection. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform both communication and monitoring without additional dedicated sensors
2Measurement precision
If existing disturbance identification methods are used, then environmental disturbances can be located, but data streams are impacted and additional maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts a portion of the transmitted optical signal to create a reference signal for comparison. By separating the detection function from the data stream and using only a extracted portion for monitoring, the system can identify disturbances without disrupting the main data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic analysis of optical signal reflections and characteristics to detect disturbances. By performing detection at specific intervals and using periodic modulation schemes, the system maintains data stream continuity while periodically monitoring for environmental disturbances
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 rapid and cost-effective localization of environmental disturbances in subsea optical communication systems without affecting data streams, improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical source, a modulator, a transmitter module... The optical source has a laser operable to provide a continuous wave optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The modulator is further configured to encode data into the continuous wave optical signal based on one or more driver signals
Implementation Method 3
The narrowband filter is operable to receive a portion of the continuous wave optical signal having the encoded data and a first tone reflection of the tone signal
Implementation Method 4
The polarimeter is operable to receive the first tone reflection and determine a first tone polarization of the first tone reflection
Implementation Method 5
an optical loopback component operable to direct the portion of the continuous wave optical signal to the narrowband filter
Data Source
AI summary
A transceiver is herein described. The transceiver comprises an optical source providing an optical signal, a modulator receiving the optical signal and configured to encode data into the optical signal, a transmitter module to receive data to be encoded into the optical signal and having at least one drive circuit supplying driver signals to the modulator to cause the modulator to encode data into a carrier having a frequency band and a tone signal outside of the frequency band into the optical signal, a narrowband filter operable to receive a portion of the optical signal via an optical loopback, the optical signal having the encoded data and a first tone reflection of the tone signal at a first instant of time and to pass the first tone reflection, a polarimeter operable to receive the first tone reflection and determine a first tone polarization of the first tone reflection.