Statistical-mode sensor for fiber optic vibration sensing uses

A method of sensing vibration using the detection of changes in the spatial distribution of energy in the output of a multimode optical fiber has been demonstrated. Two implementations of the sensor have been built and tested. The first implementation involved simple optical processing of the output fiber speckle pattern using spatial filtering. The second implementation involved projecting the pattern on a CCD array and digitally processing observed changes in the intensity distribution. A mathematical model has been developed which has shown good agreement with observed sensor behavior. The sensor technique has been used to detect induced structural vibration in laboratory test specimens. Simple field testing has also demonstrated the ability of the technique to detect personnel and vehicles passing over a buried and electrically undetectable sensing cable. The sensing technique is compatible with off-the-shelf components and fiber cable and even allows for simultaneous telecommunication and sensing using the same optical fiber cable. Near term application of this technology could provide significant benefits for vibration sensing, intrusion detection, and acoustic sensing.