Compact multifunction digital OFDR system without using an auxiliary interferometer

Abstract

This paper describes an integrated, accurate, and inexpensive semiconductor laser -based optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) system design. The system utilizes the fiber under test for both sensing and frequency sweep linearization functions, allowing the system to mitigate and compensate for phase errors without the need for an auxiliary interferometer, as is the case for traditional OFDR systems. Benefiting from the unique and embedded design, this system reaches the minimal OFDR system with only one optical interferometer and its corresponding optic-electric components without sacrificing accuracy. In addition, conventional design requires an external auxiliary interferometer, which may experience different noises from the main measuring interferometer, deteriorating the overall performance. Experimental results demonstrate the enhanced performance of the compact design as compared with the former methods, as well as the reduced complexity and improved cost-effectiveness.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Aug 23, 2021
Source ID
10.1364/ao.430850

Entities

People

  • Gerald Hefferman
  • Tao Wei
  • Thomas Mauldin
  • Zhenyu Xu
  • Zheyi Yao

Organizations

  • Harvard Medical School
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • National Science Foundation
  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of Rhode Island

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems