Noise management for optical time delay interferometry
First Claim
1. An integrated fiber optic interferometry interrogator system configured to generate superimposed waves, the system comprising:
- an optical light source configured to generate a first signal;
a first signal splitter coupled to an output of the optical light source and configured to split the first signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal;
a first optical modulator configured to modulate the reference signal;
a second optical modulator configured to modulate the interrogation signal;
an optical coupler connected to an optical fiber;
a circulator coupled to the second optical modulator, the circulator comprising a plurality of connections, whereina first connection of the plurality of connections is configured to receive the modulated interrogation signal,a second connection of the plurality of connections is configured to transmit the modulated interrogation signal through the optical coupler and is configured to receive from the optical coupler a version of the modulated interrogation signal backscattered from the fiber, anda third connection of the plurality of connections configured to transmit through an isolator the backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal; and
a signal mixer comprising a plurality of signal couplers configuredto receive the backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal from the isolator,to receive the reference signal modulated by the first optical modulator,to mix the two received signals into the superimposed waves, andto transmit the superimposed waves into a plurality of photo diodes, wherein one or more of the photo diodes are each configured to output a respective RF signal including the superimposed waves.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated fiber interferometry interrogator for generating superimposed waves is disclosed. The system is optimized for efficiency and vibration attenuation. The system comprises an optical light source for generating a first signal, a first signal splitter which splits the first signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal, optical modulators for modulating the signals, a fiber coupler connected to a fiber under test, an isolator, a circulator with a plurality of connections for directing the signals, a signal mixer for mixing the signals into superimposed waves, and photo diodes for receiving the superimposed waves.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An integrated fiber optic interferometry interrogator system configured to generate superimposed waves, the system comprising:
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an optical light source configured to generate a first signal; a first signal splitter coupled to an output of the optical light source and configured to split the first signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal; a first optical modulator configured to modulate the reference signal; a second optical modulator configured to modulate the interrogation signal; an optical coupler connected to an optical fiber; a circulator coupled to the second optical modulator, the circulator comprising a plurality of connections, wherein a first connection of the plurality of connections is configured to receive the modulated interrogation signal, a second connection of the plurality of connections is configured to transmit the modulated interrogation signal through the optical coupler and is configured to receive from the optical coupler a version of the modulated interrogation signal backscattered from the fiber, and a third connection of the plurality of connections configured to transmit through an isolator the backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal; and a signal mixer comprising a plurality of signal couplers configured to receive the backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal from the isolator, to receive the reference signal modulated by the first optical modulator, to mix the two received signals into the superimposed waves, and to transmit the superimposed waves into a plurality of photo diodes, wherein one or more of the photo diodes are each configured to output a respective RF signal including the superimposed waves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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generating a first signal; splitting the first signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal; modulating the reference signal using a first optical modulator; modulating the interrogation signal using a second optical modulator; using a circulator, coupled to the second optical modulator and comprising a plurality of connections to receive, at a first one of the connections, the modulated interrogation signal, to transmit, from a second one of the connections, the modulated interrogation signal into a fiber, to receive, at the second one of the connections, a backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal from the fiber, and to transmit, from a third one of the connections, the backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal; and using a signal mixer comprising a plurality of signal couplers to receive the backscattered version of the modulated interrogation signal from the third one of the connections of the circulator, to receive the modulated reference signal from the first optical modulator, and to mix the two received signals into superimposed waves. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system, comprising:
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a light source configured to generate a signal; a splitter coupled to the light source and configured to split the signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal; a first modulator configured to modulate the reference signal; a second modulator configured to modulate the interrogation signal; a circulator coupled to the second modulator and configured to couple the modulated interrogation signal to an optical fiber, and to receive a portion of the modulated interrogation signal backscattered by the optical fiber; a signal mixer coupled to the first modulator and to the circulator and configured to generate superimposed waves by mixing the backscattered portion of the modulated interrogation signal with the modulated reference signal; and photo diodes coupled to the signal mixer and configured to generate at least one RF signal including the superimposed waves.
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Specification