Utility Pole Location Detection Using Optical Fiber Signatures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility pole monitoring systems require pre-existing information about correspondence relations between monitoring apparatus distances and utility poles, making it difficult to accurately and automatically specify the location of utility poles.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a communication optical fiber cable with a receiving unit to capture characteristic patterns from utility poles, allowing the specification of pole locations based on these patterns, eliminating the need for dedicated structures and pre-defined correspondence relations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If OTDR measurement is used to detect utility pole abnormalities, then automated monitoring capability is improved, but the requirement for pre-existing correspondence information between monitoring apparatus distances and utility poles increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the monitoring apparatus perform initial scanning and characteristic pattern extraction during installation or before actual monitoring begins. The system pre-processes the optical fiber data to identify and store characteristic patterns corresponding to each utility pole location, so that when monitoring occurs, the location specification can be performed automatically without requiring pre-existing detailed correspondence information between distances and poles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating characteristic pattern representations of utility poles from optical fiber signals. Instead of requiring direct knowledge of pole locations and distances, the system captures characteristic patterns (optical signatures) from each pole and stores them as reference copies. During monitoring, the system compares received patterns against these stored copies to automatically identify pole locations, eliminating the need for pre-existing correspondence databases.
2Device complexity
If manual detection methods are used for utility pole abnormalities, then system complexity is reduced, but detection time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the optical fiber monitoring system to automatically perform both detection and location specification functions without human intervention. The system autonomously scans the optical fiber, extracts characteristic patterns, compares them against stored references, identifies abnormalities, and specifies pole locations automatically. This eliminates the need for manual inspection while maintaining simplicity in operation, resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity.
3Measurement precision
If pre-defined correspondence relations are required for location specification, then measurement accuracy is improved, but adaptability to new utility poles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the location specification system adaptive and dynamic rather than static. The system continuously learns and updates characteristic patterns from the optical fiber signals as new utility poles are installed or existing ones are modified. When a new pole is added, the system automatically scans it, extracts its characteristic pattern, and adds it to the reference database, enabling automatic recognition without requiring manual updating of correspondence relations. This dynamic adaptation maintains high measurement precision while providing versatility for new poles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by transforming the approach from fixed distance-based correspondence to flexible characteristic pattern-based identification. Instead of relying on predetermined distance parameters that must be manually updated when poles are added or removed, the system changes to using optical characteristic patterns as the identification parameter. This allows the system to automatically adapt to parameter changes in the utility pole network while maintaining accurate location specification through pattern recognition.
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 automatic specification of utility pole locations without the need for pre-defined correspondence relations, reducing costs and enabling remote, simultaneous monitoring of multiple poles using existing communication optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving unit configured to receive an optical signal containing a characteristic pattern of the utility pole from at least one communication optical fiber contained in the cable
Data Source
AI summary
A utility pole location specifying system according to the present disclosure includes a cable (20) containing a communication optical fiber disposed in a utility pole (10), a receiving unit (331) configured to receive an optical signal containing a characteristic pattern of the utility pole (10) from at least one communication optical fiber contained in the cable (20), and a specifying unit (332) configured to specify a location of the utility pole (10) based on the characteristic pattern.