Hybrid-Mechanism Distributed Sensing Using Forward Transmission and Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectometry

Fiber-optic sensing systems based on a forward transmission interferometric structure can achieve high sensitivity and a wide frequency response over long distances. However, there are still shortcomings in its ability to position multi-point vibrations and detect low-frequency vibrations, which limits its usefulness. To address these challenges, we study the viability of merging long-range forward-transmission distributed vibration sensing (FTDVS) with high spatial resolution optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR), forming the first reported hybrid distributed sensing method between these two methods. The probe light source is shared between the two sub-systems, which utilizes stable linear optical frequency sweeping facilitated by high-order sideband injection locking. As a result, this is a new approach for the FTDVS method, which conventionally uses fixed-frequency continuous light. The method of nearest neighbor signal replacement (NSR) is proposed to address the issue of discontinuity in phase demodulation under periodic external modulation. The experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid system can determine the position of vibration signals between 0 and 900 Hz within a sensing distance of 21 km. When the sensing distance is extended to 71 km, the FTDVS module can still function adequately for high-frequency vibration signals. This hybrid architecture offers a fresh approach to simultaneously achieving long-distance sensing and wide frequency response, making it suitable for the combined measurement of dynamic (e.g., gas leakage, pipeline excavation warning) and quasi-static (e.g., pipeline displacement) events in long-distance applications.