Abstract:
A method and system are provided. The method includes converting, using a spatial mode converter, an input signal into a plurality of spatial modes and performing polarization multiplexing and mode multiplexing, using a polarization multiplexer and a mode multiplexer, respectively, on the input signal. The method further includes injecting the input signal into a fiber optic medium. The method additionally includes applying, using at least one spatial filter in each of a forward and a backward direction within the fiber optic medium, the plurality of spatial modes within the fiber optic medium to transmit the input signal and perform distributed fault sensing on the input signal simultaneously

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to optical fiber systems and, in particular, to a duo-functionality optical fiber sensor system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Optical fiber technology is ideal for telecommunication systems for its low-loss, high-bandwidth, low-dispersion advantages, as well as its immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Optical components, such as optical isolators and optical diodes, are usually applied in fiber-optic communication systems and allow the transmission of light in only the forward direction. This is done to prevent unwanted feedback into the optical oscillator. Additionally, an optical fiber sensor system is another significant application of optical fiber technology thanks to its low-cost, its superior sensitivity, its light-weight technology, its electrical-safety, its remote-access, and its ease of being able to be multiplexed. 
         [0005]    So far, numerous distributed sensors using Single-Mode Fibers (SMFs) have been applied in a variety of important fields, such as structural sensing, smart structures, and civil engineering; aerospace and security; marine, oil and gas; and health monitoring. Such fiber optic sensor technology, such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), mainly depends on measuring the frequency shift or power intensity of Brillouin or Raman scattering light in only the backward direction. Meanwhile, passive components, such as optic terminators, are applied to absorb light coming from the unwanted forward direction. Nonetheless, the optical couplers (optical isolators and optic terminators) in both cases reduce the optical power of forward signal or back reflection, wasting the precious carried information along with it. Little research has been done on the sensor systems that can simultaneously take full advantage of both forward and backward propagating signals in the fiber with high spectral efficiency and low coupling loss. 
         [0006]    For particular applications, fiber optic sensors are likely deployed in various harsh environments, such as in dry deserts, on the ocean floor for seismic sensing, or in downhole environments for oil and gas exploration and production. This may create big challenges in the establishment of a long-term, high-speed, and stable communication method between sensing edges and receiver terminals. The implementation of an extra special communication cable will be time consuming, costly, and even technically impossible, for some cases. Moreover, this could add additional maintenance costs for the entire sensing system. So far, there is no mature research that can achieve such duo-functionality, such as signal transmission and distributed sensing, simultaneously within the same fiber. This simultaneous signal transmission and distributed sensing would be of great importance for sensing in sophisticated target environments. 
         [0007]    Another main challenge related to optical fiber sensor systems is how to measure and separate a large number of different measurands, which is a challenge that requires the use of many electronic point sensors. The most common functions are temperature and strain/stress sensing. However, a variety of other parameters, such as pressure, magnetic field, rotation and acceleration, voltage, and chemical species might also be measured. So far, one particular type of sensor typically corresponds to one measurand, but there are exceptions. SMFs, the Brillouin frequency shift, and the Brillouin power change were measured to achieve concurrent temperature and strain sensing, but the spatial resolution was too poor. Therefore, there is a need for new optical fiber sensor systems capable of both highly enhanced spatial resolution and accurate, simultaneous measurements of a large number of different measurands. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A method is provided. The method includes converting, using a spatial mode converter, an input signal into a plurality of spatial modes and performing polarization multiplexing and mode multiplexing, using a polarization multiplexer and a mode multiplexer, respectively, on the input signal. The method further includes injecting the input signal into a fiber optic medium. The method additionally includes applying, using at least one spatial filter in each of a forward and a backward direction within the fiber optic medium, the plurality of spatial modes within the fiber optic medium to transmit the input signal and perform distributed fault sensing on the input signal simultaneously. 
         [0009]    A duo-functionality sensor system for a guiding fiber optic medium is provided. The system includes a spatial mode converter configured to convert an input signal into a plurality of spatial modes. The system further includes a polarization multiplexer configured to polarization multiplex the input signal and a mode multiplexer configured to mode multiplex the input signal. The system additionally includes at least one spatial filter for configuring a forward propagating signal for transmission over the fiber optic medium, and at least one spatial filter for performing distributed fault sensing on the input signal based on a backscatter of the input signal, wherein each of the at least one spatial filter is further configured to apply the plurality of spatial modes within the fiber optic medium to transmit the input signal and perform distributed fault sensing on the input signal simultaneously. 
         [0010]    These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    This disclosure will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of a duo-functionality sensor system  100  for transmission and distributed sensing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of a spatial filter  200  to extract different spatial modes from input beams, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a graph of a normalized propagation constant, b eff , vs. a normalized frequency, V, for four lightpath modes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a graph of a normalized group delay, b g , vs. a normalized frequency, V, for four lightpath modes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a process  500  of a distributed multi-channel coherent optical fiber sensing system  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present principles, systems and methods are provided for simultaneously achieving telecommunications and distributed sensing, using Few-Mode Fibers (FMFs) or Multi-Mode Fibers (MMFs), special filters, coherent detection, and Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output Digital Signal Processing (MIMO-DSP), by employing a distributed multi-channel coherent optical fiber sensing system. By using a correlation between modes, the system is able to take full advantage of both forward signals and backward signals. This provides cost savings for maintenance and the placement of an extra special communication cable, which is a cable that is configured to allow simultaneous signal transmission and distributed sensing. 
         [0018]    No attempt has been made to realize duo-functionality in optical fiber sensor systems because Single-Mode Fibers (SMFs) are not suitable to simultaneously achieve sensing and transmission. In a conventional single-mode fiber (SMF), a fiber supports the propagation of only one spatial mode in two polarizations. When the core radius and core-cladding index difference becomes sufficiently large, a fiber can support multiple spatial modes, and is called an MMF or an FMF, depending on the number of modes the fiber can actually support. Mathematically, the modes are solutions for a wave equation describing the propagation of light, including spatial modes transverse to the direction of propagation (cross-section and divergence) and temporal modes in the direction of propagation (time and frequency). 
         [0019]    The energy throughput of an optical system depends on the number of supported modes and the adaptation of the modes between the different sections of the system in both sensing and communication. 
         [0020]    Compared with MMFs, SMFs have smaller core diameters and thus need relatively lower input power. Due to the use of SMFs, state-of-the-art systems can have attenuation on the order of 0.1 dB/km. Contrary to this, a faster response time or better resolution might be achieved with higher input power for fiber optic sensors. This is due to the higher backward scattered power carrying sensing data. This will, however, most likely lead to forward signal degradation due to nonlinear effects, such as modulation instability. To avoid signal degradation, SMFs are either used for data transmission in forward propagation or for optical sensing in backward propagation. Forward and backward pumping is merely used for a ring-cavity-based erbium-doped fiber laser. A fiber optic system with duo-functionality, particularly with a combination of transmission and sensing, has not heretofore been available. 
         [0021]    Up to now, multiple data channels have been able to be combined with Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), and Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM) techniques for purely transmission purposes; not for simultaneous transmission and sensing purposes. Particularly, Mode Division Multiplexing (MDM), using FMFs, is emerging as a promising approach to increase the capacity of SMFs for the next generation of optical networks, which shows the possibility that the coupling between the propagating modes of the FMFs enable separation and measurement of the properties of the light in each mode, independently, with the help of MIMO-DSP in coherent transmission systems. Despite these advantages, most currently deployed optical fiber sensor systems are still using SMFs, instead of MMFs or FMFs, due to their existing state of development. 
         [0022]    To resolve the above-mentioned problems, the use of a distributed multi-channel coherent optical fiber sensing system is presented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles, wherein different groups of propagating modes, using MIMO-DSP, are coupled with high coupling efficiency and low loss and separated for simultaneous transmission and sensing purposes. This is due to their multiplexing capabilities and immunity to electromagnetic interference. 
         [0023]    Referring to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially to  FIG. 1 , duo-functionality sensor system  100 , for transmission and distributed sensing, is shown. 
         [0024]    According to an embodiment of the present principles, an improved optical fiber sensor system  100  is disclosed that can simultaneously take the full advantage of both a forward propagating signal  150  and a backward scattered optical signal  140  in the fiber  105  for active measurements with high sensitivity, low coupling loss, and multi-functionality, without compromising the intrinsic advantages of fiber-optic sensors. In an embodiment, a step-index FMF or MMF  105  carries light in two or more groups of spatial modes. In another embodiment, higher and lower order modes are separated and injected into two opposite directions for signal transmission and energy delivery independently. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, a transmitter  190  launches a number of signals  115  using an optical medium. According to an embodiment, the optical medium is a laser. Once the signal  115  is launched, it is converted into a number of different spatial modes using a spatial mode converter. Once the signal  115  is converted into these spatial modes, the signal  115  experiences mode multiplexing, using a mode multiplexer, followed by polarization multiplexing, using a polarization multiplexer. After these two multiplexing steps, the signal  115  is injected into the fiber. 
         [0026]    Fiber optic applications typically employ a backscattering method to detect optical faults. Backward optical sensing begins in the system  100  when light is backscattered  140  in the fiber  105 . The backscattered light  140  is first polarization de-multiplexed, using a polarization de-multiplexer, in order to separate the signal  140  into its various polarized components. Once the signal  140  is polarization de-multiplexed, it is mode de-multiplexed, using a mode de-multiplexer, into the various spatial modes. After these de-multiplexing steps, the signal passes through a spatial filter  110  or mode selector. This spatial filter  110  or mode selector is designed with the Fourier transform property of a graded index (GRIN) lens, in combination with a pinhole element, to block further propagation of higher order modes and is described in more detail in  FIG. 2 . In an embodiment, only one mode  120  passes through the spatial filter  110 . 
         [0027]    After the signal  140  passes through the spatial filter  110  or mode selector, the signal  140  is received by a coherent receiver  130 , where the signal experiences MIMO-DSP and sensing analysis is performed. 
         [0028]    Forward transmission is very similar to backward optical sensing and begins in the system  100  when the signal  115  launched from the transmitter  190  passes through the fiber  105  in the forward direction. This forward progressing signal  150  is first polarization de-multiplexed in order to separate the signal  150  into its various polarized components. Once the signal  150  is polarization de-multiplexed, it is mode de-multiplexed into the various spatial modes. After these de-multiplexing steps, the signal passes through a spatial filter  160  or mode selector. This spatial filter  160  or mode selector is designed with the Fourier transform property of a graded index (GRIN) lens, in combination with a pinhole element, to block further propagation of higher order modes. In an embodiment, only one mode  180  passes through the spatial filter  170 . 
         [0029]    After the signal  140  passes through the spatial filter  110  or mode selector, the signal  140  is received by a coherent receiver  130 , where the signal experiences MIMO-DSP and sensing analysis is performed. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, optical sensing is achieved in the fundamental mode. In another embodiment, while optical sensing is achieved in the fundamental mode, the previously unoccupied modes are filtered and injected for data transmission purposes. In another embodiment, the system is designed such that the majority of the light from the input fiber is directed to sensing, which requires high power, while the remaining light is used for low data rate transmission. This new sensor system may provide two or more substantially equal intensity optical signals which propagate in different spatial modes. These optical signals may also have different signal power intensity. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, the positional information is recovered by measuring the time delay between an emitted optical pulse and its received back-scattered signal. The processed output signal is responsive to the environmental physical changes or mechanical signal inputs, such as temperature, strain/stress, pressure, rotation, and acceleration, with high resolution and spatial sensitivity. Coherent detection is necessary for detecting light, which propagates with lower and higher order modes, wherein GRIN lenses may be used together with phase masks. This is simple in design and lends ease of fabrication to such systems. The noise background can be significantly reduced due to MIMO-DSP. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a schematic of a spatial filter  200  to extract different spatial modes from input beams  220  is shown. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, a beam intensity distribution  210  impacts the spatial filter  200 , which allows an input Gaussian beam  220  to pass through. The input Gaussian beam  230  proceeds to pass through an aspheric lens to focus the beam  220  to form a beam spot at the intersection of the separate light waves. The beam  220  proceeds to pass through a pinhole aperture  240 , exiting through the aperture  240  as a clean Gaussian beam  250 . After a subsequent pass through a collimating lens  260 , the beam exits the spatial filter as an output Gaussian profile  270 . 
         [0034]    According to an embodiment of the present principles, an optical FMF is presented, which supports the propagation and transmission of up to 12 spatial and polarization modes by using LP 01 , LP 11 , LP 21 , and LP 02  modes. Since an FMF (or MMF) has a larger core diameter and thus a higher light-gathering capacity, more input power is able to launch into the fiber, providing better resolution and sensitivity for optical sensing than SMF. The sensing fiber comprises a cladding diameter ≧125 μm, a coating diameter ≧240 μm, and an effective area between 200 μm 2 ≦A eff ≦320 μm 2 . The sensing fiber usually has a loss coefficient α≦0.20 dB/km. In some embodiments, the loss value can be further reduced to 0.16 dB/km through careful design. The cutoff wavelength for the LP 11  mode is 2000 nm≦λ CF LP11 ≦λ CF LP02 ≦2850 nm, while the cutoff wavelength for the LP 11  mode is 2500 nm≦λ CF LP11 ≦3500 nm. Light propagating in different groups of modes, particularly higher and lower order spatial modes, can be separated using spatial filters or mode selectors, such as a photonic lantern, which is further coupled to a photo detection for measuring and separating a large number of different measurands in each mode independently. The size or shape of the FMF core might vary in order to better suit particular applications. 
         [0035]    Graphical representations of the LP modes, according to embodiments of the present principles, are shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , a graph of a normalized propagation constant, b eff , vs. a normalized frequency, V, for four lightpath (LP) modes, is shown. The normalized propagation constant, b eff , determines the dispersion properties of different fiber modes. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a graph of a normalized group delay, b g , vs. a normalized frequency, V, for four LP modes, is shown. Through this graphical model, it can be known which mode groups have identical effective indices and group indices, and which groups do not necessarily follow that in an effective index. This provides theoretical guidelines for mode selection of the signal transmission plus the distributed sensing duo-functionality. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a flowchart is shown of a process  500  of a distributed multi-channel coherent optical fiber sensing system, in accordance with the present principles. 
         [0038]    At step  505 , a transmitter launches N number of signals using an optical medium. In an embodiment, the optical medium is a laser. In an embodiment, N is an integer that is larger than or equal to 2. In an embodiment, the total number of channels in the system is equal to twice N. 
         [0039]    At step  510 , the transmitted N number of signals are converted to N different types of spatial modes. Subsequently, the N number of signals are multiplexed using N mode multiplexing at step  515 , followed by the N number of signals being N×2 polarization multiplexed at step  520 . 
         [0040]    At step  525 , the N number of signals are injected into an FMF or an MMF. Once the N number of signals are injected into the FMF or MMF, backward optical sensing and forward data transmission can be performed. For the purposes of backward optical sensing and forward data transmission, i and j are integers larger than or equal to 1 and represent the number of spatial modes used for backward optical sensing or forward data transmission. In an embodiment, i and j are equal and are both smaller than N. In another embodiment, i and j are either not equal or are both not smaller than N. In this latter embodiment, some modes remain relatively dark and get filtered out or may be used for a third functionality, such as in optical fiber medical treatment. 
         [0041]    Backward optical sensing begins at step  530 . At step  530 , the light is backscattered. Thereafter, at step  535 , (i×2) polarization de-multiplexing is performed on the N number of signals, followed by i mode de-multiplexing, at step  540 . 
         [0042]    At step  545 , mode selectors or spatial filters are used. These mode selectors or spatial filters are designed with the Fourier transform property of a GRIN lens, in combination with a pinhole element, to block further propagation of higher order modes. The energy throughput of an optical system depends on the number of supported modes and the adaptation of the modes between the different sections of the system in both sensing and communication. “Higher order” modes refer to spatial modes other than the fundamental modes LP 01 . 
         [0043]    Different spatial modes propagate with different phase and group velocities. In fibers of a circular cross section, in the limit of weak guidance, the total number of propagating modes can be assumes to have a value D=2, 6, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, etc. For a typical FMF supporting less than 12 modes, the “higher order” modes could refer to LP 11 , LP 21 , LP 02 , etc. If there are too many modes co-existing along the same optical path, it might introduce mode coupling effects and mode-dependent loss, thus causing signal distortion and performance degradation. To resolve these issues, before the receiver-side, in each of a forward and a backward direction, the desirable mode containing valuable information will be preserved, while the rest of the undesired “higher order” modes would be filtered out thru passive optical elements such as lenses, mirrors, and filters in Spatial Light Modulators (SLM). 
         [0044]    At step  550 , the N number of signals are received by a coherent receiver. Once the N number of signals are received, MIMO-DSP is performed, at step  555 , employing a distributed multi-channel coherent optical fiber sensing system. Thereafter, at step  560 , sensing data is analyzed. 
         [0045]    Forward data transmission begins at step  565 . At step  565 , light is forward-propagated. Thereafter, at step  570 , [(N−j)×2] polarization de-multiplexing is performed on the N number of signals, followed by (N−j) mode de-multiplexing, at step  575 . 
         [0046]    At step  580 , mode selectors or spatial filters are used. These mode selectors or spatial filters are designed with the Fourier transform property of a GRIN lens, in combination with a pinhole element, to block further propagation of higher order modes. 
         [0047]    At step  585 , the N number of signals are received by a coherent receiver. Once the N number of signals are received, MIMO-DSP is performed, at step  590 , employing a distributed multi-channel coherent optical fiber sensing system. Thereafter, at step  595 , sensing data is analyzed. 
         [0048]    It should be understood that embodiments described herein may be entirely hardware or may include both hardware and software elements, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is implemented in hardware. 
         [0049]    Embodiments may include a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. A computer-usable or computer readable medium may include any apparatus that stores, communicates, propagates, or transports the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be magnetic, optical, electronic, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. The medium may include a computer-readable storage medium such as a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk, etc. 
         [0050]    A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code may include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code to reduce the number of times code is retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) may be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. 
         [0051]    Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters. 
         [0052]    The foregoing is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention and that those skilled in the art may implement various modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.