Abstract:
Aspects of the present disclosure describe optical fiber sensing systems, methods and structures disclosing a distributed fiber sensor network constructed on an existing, live network, data carrying, optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure to detect temperatures, acoustic effects, and vehicle traffic—among others. Of particular significance, sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously identify specific network locations relative to manholes/handholes and environmental conditions within those manholes/handholes namely, normal, flooded, frozen/iced, etc.
Abstract:
Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods and structures employing optical fiber sensing to monitor highway/roadway/street conditions (i.e., potholes, pavement cracks, etc.) in real-time, continuously, and while the highway/roadway/street remains in operation (in-service monitoring). Systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may employ machine learning (ML) algorithms including neural networks to provide and or report on highway conditions so monitored/sensed. Of further advantage, systems, methods, and structures for optical fiber sensing for highway maintenance may operate in real-time, continuously, long-term, in-service, and may employ existing telecommunications optical cables without additional deployment cost(s) or disruption of telecommunications traffic.
Abstract:
A low-density parity-check (LDPC) coded bit-interleaved coded modulation with iterative decoding (BICM-ID) scheme with nonuniform signaling which is effected by mapping simple variable-length prefix codes onto the constellation. By employing Huffman procedure(s), prefix codes can be designed to approach optimal performance. Experimental evaluations of the schemes demonstrate that the nonuniform scheme performs better than 8-QAM by at least 8.8 dB.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for data transport include encoding one or more streams of input data using one or more Quasi-Cyclic Low Density Parity Check (QC-LDPC) encoders; controlling irregularity of the QC-LDPC encoded data while preserving the quasi-cyclic nature of the LDPC encoded data and eliminating the error floor phenomenon. A parity-check matrix may be partially reconfigured to adapt one or more code rates; and one or more signals are generated using a mapper, wherein the output of the mapper is modulated onto a transmission medium. One or more streams of input data are received, and the streams are decoded using one or more QC-LDPC decoders.
Abstract:
An improved near-infrared spectroscopy based handheld tissue oxygenation scanner and method in which the handheld tissue oxygenation scanner is a small device-like an optical mouse-employing a single transmitter-receiver pair, an optical switch, and a plurality of optical fibers that transmit light into tissue under examination and receive light after interacting with that tissue. The integration of a plurality of optical fibers wherein each individual one provides emission/reception of infrared radiation advantageously provides a higher density of tissue interrogation by the infrared radiation thereby providing faster operation and more information in a given time period. Additional features and advantages of our inventive system and method include computer control and the ability to connect to a variety of computing devices via BlueTooth and other communications techniques.
Abstract:
A solar powered, self-contained DFOS extender that includes a wide-angle camera and a microphone. The DFOS extender monitors the perimeter constantly or at predetermined time intervals both visually and acoustically. It analyses these signals and if an alarming event is detected (such as an animal, a human, a car, or a truck seen or heard), then the DFOS extender generates a coded vibration via its in-built acoustic modem. These coded vibrations are detected by the fiber and an event log is generated. Consequently, a trespasser or false alarms (animals) are detected before they are within detectable distance of the underground DFOS optical sensor fiber. Advantageously, our DFOS extender can be placed in critical locations along a border where an increased detection range is desired and may later be relocated/reinstalled at other locations as well.
Abstract:
A method for time synchronization using distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) that employs several trusted time beacons that are attached to the DFOS sensing fiber which in turn is connected to the DFOS interrogator. The beacons transmit their signal via two different mediums, (1) wirelessly to sensor nodes in the coverage area, and (2) through vibrations on fiber to the DFOS/DAS system located at a trusted area such as the central office. Wireless broadcast to nearby sensors includes a timestamp and beacon ID. All the sensors in the field use one of the beacons in their vicinity (the one with the strongest signal) as their time reference and send the data back with the corresponding beacon index.
Abstract:
A distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) / distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system and method employing a fiber optic sensor cable that collects vibrational data of individual utility poles suspending the fiber optic sensor cable and stores the vibrational data in a central office (CO). Machine learning (ML) models are developed, trained, and utilized to analyze vibrational features of the utility poles and determine their integrity. Additionally, DFOS / DAS systems and methods according to the present disclosure determine the location(s) of fiber coils that exist along a length of a fiber optic sensor cable.
Abstract:
A distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS)/distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system and method employing a fiber optic sensor cable that collects vibrational data of individual utility poles suspending the fiber optic sensor cable and stores the vibrational data in a central office (CO). Machine learning (ML) models are developed, trained, and utilized to analyze vibrational features of the utility poles and determine their integrity. Additionally, DFOS/DAS systems and methods according to the present disclosure determine the location(s) of fiber coils that exist along a length of a fiber optic sensor cable.
Abstract:
A flexible, rapid deployable perimeter monitoring system and method that employs distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) technologies and includes a deployment/operations field vehicle including an interrogator and analyzer/processor. The deployment/operations field vehicle is configured to field deploy a ruggedized fiber optic sensor cable in an arrangement that meets a specific application need, and subsequently interrogate/sense via DFOS any environmental conditions affecting the deployed fiber optic sensor cable. Such sensed conditions include mechanical vibration, acoustic, and temperature that may be advantageously sensed/evaluated/analyzed in the deployment/operations vehicle and subsequently communicated to a central location for further evaluation and/or coordination with other monitoring systems. Upon completion, the field vehicle and DFOS reconfigure a current location or redeployed to another location.