Methods and apparatus for OFDR interrogator monitoring and optimization
AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
InventorsKevin M. Marsden, Mark E. Froggatt, Matthew S. Wolfe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Example embodiments add an optical amplifier to a multi-channel, continuously swept OFDR measurement system, adjust amplified swept laser output power between rising and falling laser sweeps, and/or utilize portions of a laser sweep in which OFDR measurements are not typically performed to enhance the integrity of the OFDR measurement system, improve the performance and quality of OFDR measurements, and perform additional measurements and tests.
Claims20
A multi-channel optical interrogation system comprising:
- a tunable laser;
- a modulator to inject a ripple signal into laser light generated by the tunable laser;
- an optical interferometric network and associated detection and acquisition electronics collectively configured to provide multiple measurement channels,
- wherein the optical interferometric network comprises multiple reference paths associated with the multiple measurement channels,
- wherein the optical interferometric network is configured to, when receiving the laser light carrying the ripple signal, produce multiple output signals, corresponding to laser light that has traversed the multiple reference paths, that carry the ripple signal, and
- wherein the detection and acquisition electronics measure the multiple output signals to produce channel signals for the multiple measurement channels that carry the ripple signal;
- and
- data processing circuitry configured to:
- process the channel signals to produce respective channel phases of the ripple signal for the multiple measurement channels,
- calculate, from the channel phases, one or more phase differences corresponding to one or more differences in optical and electrical delays between the multiple measurement channels, and
- correcting for the one or more phase differences.
A method of operating an optical interrogation system configured to provide multiple measurement channels, the method comprising:
- generating laser light carrying a ripple signal;
- providing the laser light carrying a ripple signal to an optical interferometric network of the optical interrogation system;
- measuring multiple output signals, corresponding to laser light that has traversed multiple respective reference paths of the optical interferometric network, that carry the ripple signal to produce channel digital signals for the multiple measurement channels that carry the ripple signal;
- processing the channel digital signals to produce channel phases for the multiple measurement channels, and
- calculating, based on the channel phases, one or more phase differences corresponding to one or more differences in optical and electrical delays between the multiple measurement channels, and
- correcting for the one or more phase differences.
An optical interrogation system configured to provide multiple measurement channels, the system comprising:
- generating means for generating laser light carrying a ripple signal;
- providing means for providing the laser light carrying a ripple signal to an optical interferometric network of the optical interrogation system and for producing multiple output signals, corresponding to light that has traversed multiple respective reference paths of the optical interferometric network, that carry the ripple signal;
- measuring means for measuring the multiple output signals to produce channel digital signals for the multiple measurement channels that carry the ripple signal;
- and
- processing means for processing the channel digital signals to produce channel phases of the ripple signal for the multiple measurement channels, for calculating, from the channel phases, one or more phase differences corresponding to one or more differences in optical and electrical delays between the multiple measurement channels, and for correcting for the one or more phase differences.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.