Optical sensing system and method
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
InventorsTimothy S. Meyer, Michael D. Holt, Richard T. Kane, Kenneth B. Tysinger
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Abstract
An optical sensing system includes a transmitter assembly for generating a generated signal having a frequency in an optical wavelength. An optical sensing fiber is coupled to the transmitter assembly for receiving the generated signal and producing a reflected signal from backscattering of the generated signal. The system also includes a receiver assembly coupled to the optical sensing fiber for receiving the reflected signal. The system further includes a controller in communication with the receiver assembly for determining environmental effects imposed on the optical sensing fiber based on characteristics of the reflected signal.
Claims19
An optical sensing system comprising:
- a transmitter assembly configured to generate a generated signal having a frequency in an optical wavelength and to transmit the generated signal to an optical sensing fiber;
- a Raman pump laser configured to generate a Raman signal in an optical wavelength;
- a wave length division multiplexer disposed between said transmitter assembly and the optical sensing fiber and in optical communication with said Raman pump laser and said transmitter assembly, said wave length division multiplexer configured to allow the Raman signal to co-propagate with the generated signal through the optical sensing fiber;
- a receiver assembly coupled to the optical sensing fiber, the receiver assembly configured to receive a reflected signal produced by backscattering of the generated signal;
- and
- a controller in communication with said receiver assembly, the controller configured to determine environmental effects imposed on the optical sensing fiber based on characteristics of the reflected signal.
A method comprising:
- generating a generated signal having a frequency in an optical wavelength;
- generating a Raman signal in an optical wavelength;
- co-propagating the generated signal and the Raman signal to an optical sensing fiber which produces a reflected signal from backscattering of the generated signal;
- receiving the reflected signal at a receiver assembly coupled to the optical sensing fiber;
- and
- determining environmental effects imposed on the optical sensing fiber based on characteristics of the reflected signal with a controller in communication with the receiver assembly.
An optical sensing system comprising:
- a transmitter assembly comprising
- a laser configured to generate a generated signal having a frequency in an optical wavelength,
- a polarization manipulator in communication with said laser,
- a pulse generator in communication with said laser, said pulse generator configured to receive the generated signal and generate an optical pulse from the generated signal, and
- a compensator device in communication with said pulse generator for receiving the optical pulse and splitting the optical pulse into a first optical pulse and a second optical pulse delayed relative to the first optical pulse;
- an optical sensing fiber coupled to said transmitter assembly for receiving the generated signal and producing a reflected signal from backscattering of the generated signal;
- said polarization manipulator configured to receive the generated signal and vary the polarization of the generated signal such that the polarization of the first optical pulse and the second optical pulse of the reflected signal are aligned;
- a receiver assembly coupled to said optical sensing fiber, the receiver assembly configured to receive the reflected signal;
- and
- a controller in communication with said receiver assembly, the controller configured to determine environmental effects imposed on said optical sensing fiber based on characteristics of the reflected signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.