We demonstrate a novel algorithm for removing adverse effects of motion in distributed strain measurements via Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR), using Rayleigh backscatter from low-bend loss fiber as the transducer. Vibration amplitudes and frequencies of 2.5 Gs and up to 50 Hz, respectively, were corrected for in real-time while measuring up to 10,000 microstrain. Results show 99.3% recovery of motion-affected strain data while maintaining 0.3% accuracy and 5 mm spatial resolution. Measurement acquisition rates were 23.8 Hz and 100 Hz. These results demonstrate that OFDR may be used in dynamic environments to provide accurate and high-resolution, distributed strain measurements.

Date Published: 2 June 2014
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 9157, 23rd International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, 91575R (2 June 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2058789

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9157:
23rd International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors
José M. López-Higuera; Julian D. C. Jones; Manuel López-Amo; José Luis Santos, Editor(s)