Abstract
Phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (
$\phi$
OTDR) is an important tool for distributed fiber sensing. In order to optimize system performance, the influence on sensing performance of factors such as laser frequency drift and variations in ambient conditions need to be understood. While theoretical models can facilitate such understanding, to the best of our knowledge there is only one numerical model for
$\phi $
OTDR dynamic sensing, focusing on one particular detection scheme. In this article we propose a simple generic model for simulating the response characteristics of static and dynamic
$\phi $
OTDR systems. In the model, the sensing fiber is treated as a unidimensional waveguide, consisting of inhomogeneities with randomly generated refractive indices. Environmental perturbations are represented by modulations in the refractive index profile that produce equivalent phase shifts. The model is applied in the simulation of a
$\phi $
OTDR sensor for static measurements and the simulation of two different dynamic
$\phi $
OTDR sensor configurations. The model is used to analyze the experimentally observed phase drift in a
$\phi $
OTDR sensor, the model confirmed that observed drift was consistent with expected variations in the ambient temperature and laser frequency drift.
PDF Article
More Like This
Cited By
You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.
Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription
Add to BibSonomy