×

Detecting a disturbance in the propagation of light in an optical waveguide

  • US 7,872,736 B2
  • Filed: 11/03/2005
  • Issued: 01/18/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for detecting a disturbance in the propagation of light in an optical waveguide comprising:

  • a light source for sending a light pulse along the waveguide, the light pulse being substantially coherent and varying in intensity over its duration to provide two sections of higher intensity separated from one another by a section of lower or substantially zero intensity;

    a photodetector for generating a signal representing a time distributed intensity of light backscattered in the waveguide as the light pulse travels along the waveguide; and

    a processor in communication with the photodetector,wherein the light source sends two such light pulses along the waveguide,wherein the photodetector generates first and second such signals, one for each of the light pulses, andwherein the processor derives a difference signal indicative of differences between the first and second signals.

View all claims
  • 4 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×