Communication using modulated waves applied to an optical fiber
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- applying light pulses to an optical fiber;
receiving backscattered light at a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) device, wherein the backscattered light includes portions of the light pulses that are backscattered by the optical fiber;
determining a difference between the backscattered light and a backscatter pattern associated with the optical fiber; and
determining a communication signal encoded in the backscattered light based on the difference, wherein the communication signal is encoded in the backscattered light responsive to modulated waves applied to the optical fiber by a wave generator that is in direct contact with a protective layer of the optical fiber at a location that is remote from the phase-sensitive OTDR device, wherein the wave generator is a portion of an underwater vehicle.
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Abstract
A particular method includes applying light pulses to an optical fiber and receiving backscattered light at a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) device. The backscattered light includes portions of the applied light pulses that are backscattered by the optical fiber. The method also includes determining a difference between the backscattered light and a backscatter pattern associated with the optical fiber. The method also includes determining a communication signal encoded in the backscattered light based on the difference, where the communication signal is encoded in the backscattered light responsive to mechanical waves applied to the optical fiber at a location remote from the phase-sensitive OTDR device.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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applying light pulses to an optical fiber; receiving backscattered light at a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) device, wherein the backscattered light includes portions of the light pulses that are backscattered by the optical fiber; determining a difference between the backscattered light and a backscatter pattern associated with the optical fiber; and determining a communication signal encoded in the backscattered light based on the difference, wherein the communication signal is encoded in the backscattered light responsive to modulated waves applied to the optical fiber by a wave generator that is in direct contact with a protective layer of the optical fiber at a location that is remote from the phase-sensitive OTDR device, wherein the wave generator is a portion of an underwater vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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an optical fiber interface configured to be coupled to an optical fiber; a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) device coupled to the optical fiber interface, the phase-sensitive OTDR device adapted to receive backscattered light that includes portions of light pulses applied to the optical fiber that are backscattered by the optical fiber; and a signal processor coupled to the phase-sensitive OTDR device, the signal processor configured to determine a difference between the backscattered light and a backscatter pattern associated with the optical fiber and to determine a communication signal encoded in the backscattered light based on the difference, wherein the communication signal is encoded in the backscattered light responsive to modulated waves applied to the optical fiber by a wave generator that is in direct contact with a protective layer of the optical fiber at a location that is remote from the phase-sensitive OTDR device, wherein the wave generator is a portion of an underwater vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
applying light pulses to an optical fiber from a remote phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) device while a wave generator that is in direct contact with a protective layer of the optical fiber applies modulated waves to the optical fiber, wherein the modulated waves cause a scattering segment of the optical fiber to backscatter a portion of the light pulses to the phase-sensitive OTDR device as backscattered light, and wherein the backscattered light includes encoded information from the wave generator, wherein the wave generator is a portion of an underwater vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification