We demonstrate a simplified Brillouin optical-time domain analysis system based on direct current modulation of a laser diode with an extended measurement range and an enhanced spatial resolution. Slow and periodic frequency dithering is additionally applied to the laser diode to suppress the noise originated from coherent Rayleigh scattering. The distribution of Brillouin gain spectra along a 25 km fiber is successfully measured with a 1 m spatial resolution and an accuracy of σ = 0.78 MHz, confirming its high practicality as a cost-effective solution.

Date Published: 2 June 2014
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 9157, 23rd International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, 91576I (2 June 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2059457

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)