Transform kilometers of optical fiber into thousands of continuous sensors, detecting minute changes in strain, temperature, and acoustic signals.
Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) uses the optical fiber itself as a continuous sensor. By analyzing how light scatters and reflects within the fiber, we can detect physical changes—strain, temperature, vibration—at any point along its length.
Unlike traditional point sensors that monitor discrete locations, DFOS transforms the entire fiber into a sensing medium, eliminating coverage gaps and providing complete awareness of infrastructure conditions.
Our system sends precisely timed laser pulses into the fiber and analyzes the returned signal. Changes in the backscattered light reveal exactly what's happening at each location along the fiber, with sub-meter precision over distances exceeding 50 kilometers.
A sophisticated interplay of laser physics, signal processing, and machine learning enables real-time infrastructure monitoring.
A coherent laser pulse is transmitted into the optical fiber. The pulse characteristics—wavelength, duration, and power—are precisely controlled for optimal sensing performance.
As light travels through the fiber, microscopic variations in the glass cause Rayleigh scattering. A small portion of this scattered light returns toward the source, carrying information about local conditions.
Our interrogator unit measures the phase of the returned light with extreme precision. When the fiber experiences strain, temperature change, or vibration, the optical path length changes, shifting the phase of the backscattered signal.
By measuring the time delay of returned signals (optical time-domain reflectometry), we determine exactly where along the fiber each measurement originates. This enables sub-meter spatial resolution over the entire sensing length.
Advanced digital signal processing extracts meaningful data from raw measurements. Machine learning algorithms classify events, filter noise, and identify patterns indicative of specific infrastructure conditions.
Industry-leading performance parameters enable detection of subtle infrastructure changes before they become critical failures.
Continuous data acquisition at up to 10,000 samples per second enables detection of dynamic events including seismic activity, vehicle passages, and sudden structural changes.
Simultaneously measure strain, temperature, and acoustic signals. Our algorithms separate these parameters to provide clear, actionable data for each measurement type.
Deploy multiple interrogators to monitor hundreds of kilometers. Our software seamlessly integrates data from distributed units into a unified monitoring platform.
Optical fiber carries no electrical current, making DFOS intrinsically safe for hazardous environments including oil refineries, chemical plants, and explosive atmospheres.
Optical fiber has no moving parts and doesn't degrade like electronic sensors. Expect decades of reliable operation with minimal maintenance requirements.
Machine learning models trained on infrastructure data automatically classify events, suppress false alarms, and predict developing issues before they become failures.
Understanding how distributed sensing compares to conventional monitoring approaches.
| Characteristic | DFOS | Point Sensors |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Continuous along entire length | Discrete points only |
| Spatial Resolution | Sub-meter (0.5m typical) | Limited by sensor spacing |
| Installation Complexity | Single fiber installation | Each sensor requires wiring |
| Maintenance | Minimal (passive fiber) | Regular calibration required |
| Scalability | 50km+ per interrogator | Cost scales with sensor count |
| EMI Immunity | Complete immunity | Susceptible to interference |
| Hazardous Areas | Intrinsically safe | Special enclosures required |
| Multi-Parameter | Strain, temp, acoustic | Typically single parameter |
| Existing Infrastructure | Uses telecom fiber | New installation required |
| Lifespan | 25+ years | 5-10 years typical |
Different scattering phenomena enable measurement of various physical parameters.
Detects acoustic and vibrational signals along the fiber. Ideal for traffic monitoring, third-party interference detection, and seismic event recording. Frequency range from mHz to kHz.
Measures static and quasi-static strain with high precision. Essential for structural health monitoring, detecting deformation, settlement, and load changes over time.
Monitors temperature profiles along the fiber. Critical for detecting pipeline leaks (temperature anomalies), cable overheating, and fire detection in tunnels and buildings.
Explore specific applications or contact our engineering team for a technical consultation.