Numerical Analysis and Recursive Compensation of Position Deviation for a Sub-Millimeter Resolution OFDR

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Sensing
• Fiber Optic Measurement Techniques

Background:

• Optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) is crucial for high-resolution measurements.
• Position deviations between geometric and optical paths, caused by temperature or strain, degrade OFDR accuracy.
• These deviations accumulate along the fiber, impacting spectral correlation at the fiber end.

Discussion:

• A demodulation recursive compensation algorithm is proposed to address position deviations.
• The algorithm corrects deviations at each measurement point, aligning spectra.
• This method enhances signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution.

Key Insights:

• The algorithm successfully compensates for position deviations caused by environmental factors.
• A doubly improved signal-to-noise ratio in spectral correlation was achieved.
• Sub-millimeter spatial resolution is attainable, even at a 30m fiber end.

Outlook:

• The recursive compensation algorithm offers an effective strategy for OFDR.
• It restrains correlation degeneration, enabling precise measurements.
• This approach paves the way for advanced sub-millimeter resolution sensing applications.