Numerical Modelling of a Distributed Acoustic Sensor Based on Ultra-Low Loss-Enhanced Backscattering Fibers

Sensors (Basel). 2021 Oct 16;21(20):6869. doi: 10.3390/s21206869.

Abstract

In this study, a distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) was numerically modeled based on the non-ideal optical components with their noises and imperfections. This model is used to compare the response of DAS systems to standard single-mode fibers and ultra-low loss-enhanced backscattering (ULEB) fibers, a fiber with an array of high reflective points equally spaced along its length. It is shown that using ULEB fibers with highly reflective points improves the signal-to-noise ratio and linearity of the measurement, compared with the measurement based on standard single-mode fibers.

Keywords: DAS; DVS; distributed acoustic sensor; enhanced backscattering fibers; numerical modelling; phase-OTDR; ultra-low loss.