Dissertationen zum Thema „Distributed reflectometry“

Distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) is essential for structural health monitoring (SHM) of strain changes induced during the lifetime of a structure. Among different DFOS systems, the Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR) takes the advantages of obtaining full frequency spectrum to provide strain and temperature information along the optic fibre. The key parameters of distributed fibre optic sensors, spatial and frequency resolution, are strongly linked with the time-frequency (T-F) localisation in the system in three parts: pulse, hardware design and optical fibre. T-F localization is fundamentally important for the communication system, whereas in this study the importance of the T-F localisation to the spatial and frequency resolution, repeatability and the measurement speed are introduced in BOTDR. In this dissertation, the development of DFOS is first introduced, including both traditional methods and new developed designs. The literature review shows the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of BOTDR can be improved by investigating its T-F localisation. In the hardware design, in order to improve the T-F localisation in hardware architecture, a Short-Time Fourier Transform-Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (STFT-BOTDR), which implements STFT over the full frequency spectrum to measure the distributed temperature and strain along the optic fibre, is applied so that the conventional frequency sweeping method can be replaced for high resolution and fast speed measurement, providing new research advances in dynamic distributed sensing. The STFT based BOTDR has better T-F localisation, which in turn provides an opportunity for off-line post signal processing that is more adaptable for fast speed measurements. The spatial and frequency resolution of dynamic BOTDR sensing is limited by the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and the T-F localization of the input pulse shape. The T-F localized input pulse shape can enhance the SNR and the spatial and frequency resolution in STFT-BOTDR. In this study, simulation and experiments of T-F localized different pulses shapes are conducted to examine the limitation of the system resolution. The result indicates that a rectangular pulse should be selected to optimize the spatial resolution and a Lorentzian pulse could be chosen to optimize the frequency resolution, while a Gaussian shape pulse can be used in general applications for its balanced performance in both spatial and frequency resolution. Meanwhile, T-F localization is used for pulse T-F localisation optimisation. A set of Kaiser-Bessel functions is used to simulate different pulse shapes and to compare their parameters in terms of T-F localisation and their Brillouin scattering spectrum. A method using an iterative filtering algorithm to achieve the optimised pulse in terms of T-F localisation is introduced to converge the Effective-pulse Width (TEW) in the time-domain and Effective-pulse Linewidth (FEL) in the frequency domain to identify the fundamental limitations. The optimised pulse can be fitted with a 7th order Gaussian (super-Gaussian) shape and it offers the best experimental performance compared to a Rectangular pulse. The sensitivity of a sensor to strain or temperature variations due to distributed Brillouin scattering is closely related to the power distribution on the Brillouin scattering spectrum which is related to the property of the optic fibre. The performance of a highly nonlinear fibre that can generate a higher Brillouin scattering signal is compared to that of a standard single mode fibre. The results show that much higher SNR of the Brillouin scattering spectrum and smaller frequency uncertainties in the sensing measurement can be achieved by using a highly nonlinear fibre for comparable launched powers. With a measurement speed of 4 Hz, the frequency uncertainty can be 0.43 MHz, corresponding to 10 με in strain or 0.43°C in temperature uncertainty for the tested highly nonlinear fibre. In contrast, for a standard single mode fibre, the value would increase to about 1.02 MHz (25 με or 1.02°C), demonstrating the advantage of the tested highly nonlinear fibre for distributed strain/temperature sensing. Results show that, by using a small effective area highly nonlinear fibre, the strain or temperature resolution can be improved because it generates stronger Brillouin scattering signal with high SNR and high Q factor spectrum, both of which determine the optimal averaging time in a single measurement. In general, the STFT-BOTDR can achieve 1 m spatial resolution, 10 με frequency resolution on a 10 km fibre with measurement speed at about 2.5 kHz.

Temperature sensing in harsh environment is desired in many areas, such as coal gasification, aerospace, etc. Single crystal sapphire is an excellent candidate for construction of harsh environment sensors due to its superior mechanical and optical properties even at temperature beyond 1600°C. The temperature inside a coal gasifier can be as high as 1200°C. And there is dramatic temperature gradient between the inner and outer layers of the gasifier refractory. Previous work has been done at Virginia Tech's Center for Photonics Technology to design and fabricate a sapphire wafer based Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) sensor for temperature sensing in coal gasifiers. The sensor head is based on the use of sapphire wafer which is attached to a lead-in sapphire fiber to be applied in the ultrahigh temperature region; and the sapphire fiber is spliced to a multi-mode fused silica fiber for quality signal transmission in lower temperature areas. One of the challenges encountered by this approach is the shear force to the sapphire fiber, which is caused by the differential thermal expansion between the inner and outer layers of the gasifier refractory. This shear force may be so significant to break the sensor probe. This thesis proposed a free space based interrogation sensing system to address that problem. In this free space based interrogation sensing system, only the sensor head is placed in the inner refractory wall, while all the other parts of the system are placed in the outer refractory or outside the gasifier at the ambient room temperature. An optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) based multiplexed technique is applied in the sensor design to realize temperature measurement at multiple locations along the optical path. In this work, three sapphire wafers based multiplexed temperature sensor is fabricated and calibrated in laboratory. This multiplexed high temperature sensor shows linear response in the range of 20°C ~ 1000°C, with a sensitivity of 1.602?10??/°C and a resolution of 1.3°C.
Master of Science

This thesis explores and evaluates the temperature measuring capabilities of a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (φ-OTDR), which exploits Rayleigh backscattering in normal single mode optical fibers. The device is constructed and its setup explained, and a protocol for making temperature measurements with it is developed. Performance tests are made and the device is shown to achieve fully distributed temperature measurements on fibers hundreds of meters in length with a spatial resolution of 1 m and a temperature resolution of 0.1 K. In addition, the capabilities of the device to measure normal strain in the measurement fiber are tested using the same approach, albeit with less success. The device is capable of very precise measurements, making it very sensitive to the environmental conditions around the measuring fiber but also susceptible to disturbances. Some discussion is had on how to avoid or deal with these disturbances. Furthermore, the technique is shown to be able to run in conjunction with other φ-OTDR measurement techniques from the same device simultaneously.
Det här examensarbetet utforskar och utvärderar förmågorna att mäta temperatur hos en fas-känslig optisk tidsdomän-reflektometer (φ-OTDR), som utnyttjar bakåtriktad Rayleigh-spridning i vanliga optiska singelmodfibrer. Anordningen konstrueras och dess komponentstruktur förklaras, och ett protokoll tas fram för att utföra mätningar med den. Prestandatester utförs och anordningen visas kapabel att göra fullt distribuerade temperaturmätningar längs hundratals meter långa fibrer, med en rymdsupplösning på 1 m och en temperaturupplösning på 0.1 K. Dessutom testas förmågan att mäta normaltöjning hos testfibern med samma metod, dock med mindre framgång. Anordningen är väldigt känslig för förhållandena i omgivningen runt mätningsfibern, vilket gör den kapabel till mätningar med mycket hög precision, men också mottaglig för störningar. Lite diskussion hålls kring hur dessa störningar kan undvikas eller hanteras. Vidare visas att mätningstekniken kan köras samtidigt som andra φ-OTDR-baserade tekniker från samma anordning.

This thesis considers cost effective optical time domain rcflectometry for distributed fibre sensors, using new developments in light sources, detectors, fibres and computational power, suitable to interrogate distributed fibre sensors from 20m to 10km, within a £5,000 hardware budget. The characteristics of 200μm core diameter polymer clad silica (PCS) fibre and 980μm core diameter PMMA POF (polymethyl methacrylate plastic optical fibre) were theoretically evaluated including damage thresholds, optimum sensitisation (evanescent field attenuation and micro-bending) and launch conditions for optimum performance as a distributed sensor. Rayleigh backscattered signals, forward-propagating power and Fresnel reflections for different fibre types at different distances along the fibre were considered. PCS fibre allows solutes and gases ready access to the core-cladding interface and is preferred for distributed optical fibre sensors (DOFS) of 1000m. 50-125 graded index multimode fibre is preferred as a sensor of mechanical measurands for DOFS 10km long. The higher backscattering coefficient of PMMA POF returns the highest reflected signals for DOFS of up to 30m. Test beds of simulated distributed optical fibre sensors built from single- and multimode silica, hybrid and PCS fibres were assembled for interrogation by visible and NIR wavelengths using mechanical measurands and misaligned splices as point losses, to determine the relationships between launch pulse power, pulse width and backscattered power and the factors determining spatial resolution and dynamic range. Commercial analogue OTDRs (optical time domain reflectometers) and custom-built photon counting OTDRs (ν-OTDRs) were used to probe the fibre sensors. This enabled the design, custom build and evaluation of an OTDR-based DOFS system where the light source may easily be changed for one of a different power or wavelength. The performance of intrinsic or modified fibres in applications of chemical and pH sensing was evaluated: A simulated distributed PMMA POF was demonstrated to sense pH to a resolution of ±1 pH when placed in aqueous solutions of 4.2 x 10⁻⁴ M methyl red between pH 2.89 and 9.70 and probed with 648nm light using a ν-OTDR. An undyed PCS fibre was used to sense aqueous methyl red when probed with 657nm light from a ν-OTDR. An undyed PCS fibre was used to detect 6.5 x 10⁻⁴ M methyl red in ethanol using 657nm light from a ν-OTDR by modifying the cladding refractive index from 1.401 to 1.370. A PCS fibre dyed with 4.4 x 10⁻⁶ M chlorophyll a in ethanol solution then dried was probed by ν-OTDR at 657nm, returning a 4.0dB peak on the trace indicating detection by Fresnel reflection by light in the cladding. A slope of -2.0dB/m on the trace indicated evanescent field absorption due to the 662nm absorption peak. An avalanche photodiode (APD) detection system with inherent stability suitable for long term monitoring of Rayleigh back-scattered signals was designed and built. The modules included an active quench and recharge circuit capable of 20MHz count rate with a novel quenching circuit bias arrangement to provide immunity from spurious triggering, and a Peltier cooler circuit to regulate the APD to ± 0.1°C. A dynamic bias control system based around a PCI-6602 (NI) counter-timer card was designed, built, evaluated and shown by calculation to limit the tolerance on 2.0V excess bias to ± 0.048V. The tighter control of the excess bias stabilises quantum efficiency, resolution and dark count.

In this thesis, the work focuses on developing distributed optical fiber vibration sensors based on phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR). Three works have been accomplished to improve the performances of Φ-OTDR for distributed vibration sensing. Firstly, Φ-OTDR based on a polarization diversity scheme is demonstrated to mitigate the polarization mismatch effect occurring in traditional systems. A theoretical analysis is performed in different polarization cases corresponding to coherent and polarization diversity detection. Φ-OTDR based polarization diversity shows a great potential in the multi-events sensing application. Two vibration events are simultaneously detected and their signal to noise ratios are improved by 10.9 dB and 8.65 dB, respectively, compared to the results obtained by a conventional coherent scheme. Intensity fluctuation in a phase-sensitive optical-time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) system caused by stochastic characteristics of Rayleigh backscattering has limited relative vibration strength measurement, which is proportional to dynamic strain. A trace-to-trace correlation coefficient is thus proposed to quantify the Φ-OTDR system stability and a novel approach of measuring the dynamic strain induced by various driving voltages of lead zicronate titanate (PZT) is demonstrated. Piezoelectric vibration signals are evaluated through analyzing peak values of the fast Fourier transform spectra at fundamental frequency and high-order harmonics based on Bessel functions. Experimental results show high correlation coefficients and good stability of our Φ-OTDR system, as well as the small measurement uncertainty of measured peak values. To reduce the intra-band noise caused by the finite extinction ratio of optical pulses, Φ-OTDR based on high extinction ratio generation is studied. Two methods are developed for achieving high extinction ratio of optical pulse generation. One of the approaches is to synchronize two cascaded electro-optic modulators to achieve high extinction ratio operation. The other one is to use the nonlinear optical fiber loop mirror as an optical switch to suppress the continuous wave portion of optical pulse. The sensing range of 1.8 km and 8.4 km with corresponding spatial resolution of 0.5 m and 2 m have been demonstrated based on cascaded two electro-optic modulators and nonlinear optical fiber loop mirror setup, respectively.

Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) is an interferometric technique which is capable of interrogating fibers under test (FUT) up to kilometers in length with millimeter resolution[10]. It does so by taking the Rayleigh backscattered light, or Fresnel back-reflected light and combining it with the reference arm to create a beating signal. The beating signal is then Fourier transformed to create a scattering profile of the FUT. Presented in this thesis are 5 novel OFDR configurations that improve the SNR in the spatial domain up to 26dB. As well, 4 new data analysis algorithms are presented that improve the spectral resolution by up to a factor of 40 and spectral SNR by 1.31dB. The FUT's investigated are regular SMF, linear FBG's, and chirped FBG's. With these, the wavelength shift at specific points along the FUT is measured and correlated with temperature changes (with associated applications), longitudinal stress, and torsional stress stimuli.

L’accident de Fukushima-Daiichi du 11 Mars 2011 a fortement marqué l'industrie nucléaire en mettant en évidence plusieurs faiblesses dans le contrôle des systèmes critiques qui assurent la sécurité des centrales nucléaires, en particulier, lors de conditions accidentelles. Cette thèse a été réalisée en collaboration avec AREVA, groupe industriel français actif dans le domaine de l'énergie, avec l’objectif de réaliser des capteurs à fibres optiques résistants aux contraintes sévères d'une centrale nucléaire et, en particulier, de surveiller la température et le niveau de l'eau à l'intérieur d’une piscine de stockage de combustible. La thèse est composée de deux parties organisées en 7 chapitres. Dans la première partie, le chapitre 1 traite des phénomènes contribuant à l'atténuation de la lumière au cours de sa propagation dans la fibre et donne un aperçu des effets des radiations sur les fibres optiques. Pour identifier la technique la plus prometteuse adaptée aux applications visées par AREVA, le chapitre 2 propose un état de l’art sur les capteurs distribués à fibres optiques existants avec une attention particulière à leur emploi dans des environnements radiatifs. La dernière partie de ce chapitre est consacrée à la description détaillée de l’OFDR qui est la technique retenue pour cette application. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la présentation des résultats obtenus et leur analyse. Le chapitre 3 présente le détail des irradiations et des traitements thermiques, les échantillons retenus et les bancs de mesure utilisés. Afin de déterminer la meilleure combinaison fibre/technique par rapport à l’application visée, une étude systématique des capteurs distribués de température et de contrainte a été réalisée. Les effets permanents des rayonnements (niveaux de dose du MGy) sont étudiés dans le chapitre 4. Le chapitre 5 illustre des mesures in situ sur les fibres résistantes aux radiations pour comprendre les effets combinés de la température et des radiations (rayons X), effets représentatifs des conditions nominales et accidentelles des piscines de stockage. Enfin, nous avons développé un prototype de capteur de niveau d’eau pour les piscines de combustible qui est décrit dans le chapitre 6. Ensuite, les principales conclusions et les perspectives de ce travail de thèse sont discutées
Fukushima-Daiichi event on March 11th, 2011, signed a turning point in nuclear industry by highlighting several weaknesses in the control of critical systems that ensure the safety in nuclear power plant (NPP) operating, particularly, in accidentals conditions. This PhD thesis has been carried out in collaboration with AREVA, the French industrial group active in the energy domain, with the aim of realizing optical fiber sensors resistant to the harsh environment constraints of a NPP and, in particular, to monitor temperature and water level several parameters inside the spent fuel pools (SFPs). It consists of two parts organized in 7 chapters. In the first part, chapter 1 deals with the phenomena contributing to the light attenuation during its propagation along the fiber and gives an overview on the radiation effects on optical fibers. To identify the most promising technique suitable for AREVA needs, in chapter 2 is reported the state-of-the-art on the distributed OFSs with particular attention to their employment in radiation environments. The last part of this chapter is devoted to the detailed description of the OFDR that is the selected sensor technique for this application. The second part is devoted to present and discuss the obtained results. Chapter 3 gives the experimental details on radiation and thermal treatments, investigated samples and used setups. In order to determine the best fiber/setup combination, a systematic study on temperature and strain distributed sensors was carried out in relation to the harsh constraints demanded from the application. The permanent radiation (MGy dose levels) effects on different fiber classes are investigated in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 illustrates in situ measurements on radiation resistant fibers to understand the combined temperature and radiation (X-rays) effects representative of the SFP nominal and accidental conditions. Simultaneously, we have developed the OFS design for its integration at SFP facility. The prototype is described and its performance is evaluated in chapter 6. Then, the main conclusion and perspective are discussed
L'incidente di Fukushima-Daiichi dell’11 marzo 2011 ha segnato un punto di svolta per l’industria nucleare, mettendo in evidenza diversi punti deboli nel controllo di sistemi critici che garantiscono la sicurezza nelle centrali, in particolare in condizioni di incidente. Questa tesi è stata condotta in collaborazione con AREVA, il gruppo industriale francese attivo nel settore dell'energia, con l'obiettivo di produrre sensori a fibra ottica resistenti alle condizioni estreme di una centrale nucleare e, in particolare, per controllare diversi parametri all'interno di una piscina di stoccaggio di combustibile nucleare, quali la temperatura e il livello dell'acqua. La tesi si compone di due parti organizzate in 7 capitoli. Nella prima parte, il capitolo 1 riguarda i fenomeni che contribuiscono all'attenuazione della luce durante la sua propagazione nella fibra e permette di comprendere gli effetti della radiazione sulle fibre ottiche. Per identificare la tecnologia più promettente per le esigenze di AREVA, nel capitolo 2 é discusso lo stato dell’arte sui sensori distribuiti con particolare attenzione alle loro performance in ambienti radiativi. L'ultima parte di questo capitolo è dedicato ad una descrizione dettagliata della tecnica OFDR che è la tecnologia scelta per questa applicazione. La seconda parte è dedicata a presentare e discutere i risultati. Il capitolo 3 fornisce i dettagli sui campioni studiati e i trattamenti effettuati su di essi e descrive il setup utilizzato. Per determinare la migliore combinazione fibra/tecnica per l’applicazione prevista, è stato eseguito uno studio sistematico sulla risposta alla radiazione dei sensori distribuiti di temperatura e strain. Glieffetti permanenti della radiazione (dosi dell’ordine del MGy) su diverse classi di fibre, resistenti e sensibili alle radiazioni, sono discussi nel capitolo 4. Il capitolo 5 riporta le misure in situ sulle fibre resistenti alla radiazione per investigare gli effetti combinati di temperatura e radiazioni (raggi X) rappresentativi delle condizioni operative e accidentali nelle piscine di stoccaggio. Infine, abbiamo sviluppato un prototipo di sensore del livello dell’acqua nelle piscine di stoccaggio che è descritto nel capitolo 6. In seguito, le principali conclusioni e le prospettive sono discusse

Insight Photonic Solutions Inc. has continued to develop their patented VT-DBR laser design; these wavelength tunable lasers promise marked image-quality and acquisition time improvements in SS-OCT applications. To be well suited for SS-OCT, tunable lasers must be capable of producing a highly linear wavelength sweep across a tuning range well-matched to the medium being imaged; many different tunable lasers used in SS-OCT are compared to identify the optimal solution. This work electrically and spectrally characterizes two completely new all-semiconductor VT-DBR designs to compare, as well. The Neptune VT-DBR, an O-band laser, operates around the 1310 nm range and is a robust solution for many OCT applications. The VTL-2 is the first 1060 nm VT-DBR laser to be demonstrated. It offers improved penetration through water over earlier designs which operate at longer wavelengths (e.g. - 1550 nm and 1310 nm), making it an optimal solution for the relatively deep imaging requirements of the human eye; the non-invasive nature of OCT makes it the ideal imaging technology for ophthalmology. Each laser has five semiconductor P-N junction segments that collectively enable precise akinetic wavelength-tuning (i.e. - the tuning mechanism has no moving parts). In an SS-OCT system utilizing one of these laser packages, the segments are synchronously driven with high speed current signals that achieve the desired wavelength, power, and sweep pattern of the optical output. To validate the laser’s fast tuning response time necessary for its use in SS-OCT, a circuit model of each tuning section is created; each laser section is modeled as a diode with a significant lead inductance. The dynamic resistance, effective capacitance, and lead inductance of this model are measured as a function of bias current and the response time corresponding to each bias condition is determined. Tuning maps, spectral linewidths, and side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) measurements important to SS-OCT performance are also collected. Measured response times vary from 700 ps to 2 ns for the Neptune and 1.2 to 2.3 ns for the VTL-2. Linewidth measurements range from 9 MHz to 124 MHz for the Neptune and 300 kHz to 2 MHz for the VTL-2. SMSR measurements greater than 38 dB and 40 dB were observed for the Neptune and VTL-2, respectively. Collectively, these results implicate the VT-DBR lasers as ideal tunable sources for use in SS-OCT applications.

Les câbles électriques sont utilisés dans tous les secteurs pour transférer de l'énergie ou de l'information. Pendant le fonctionnement, les câbles peuvent être sujets à des défauts francs (circuit ouvert ou court-circuit) ou des défauts non-francs (endommagement de l'isolant, pincement, etc.) dus à une mauvaise utilisation, aux conditions environnementales ou au vieillissement. Ces défauts doivent être détectés à leur stade le plus précoce pour éviter une interruption de la fonction ou des conséquences plus graves. Parmi les méthodes de diagnostic des réseaux filaires qui ont été étudiées dans la littérature, la réflectométrie électrique a été considérée la plus efficace surtout dans le cas d'un défaut franc. Cependant, cette méthode s'avère moins fiable en présence d'un défaut non-franc caractérisé, généralement, par une signature de faible amplitude sur le réflectogramme qui dépend non seulement de la variation de l'impédance caractéristique du câble au niveau du défaut mais également de la configuration du signal de test telle que sa bande passante. En effet, l'augmentation de la fréquence maximale du signal de test améliore la résolution ''spatiale'' de l'information des défauts non-francs. Cependant, elle accentue, en même temps, les phénomènes d'atténuation et de dispersion du signal de test rendant ainsi la détection de ces défauts moins fiable, et surtout dans le cas des réseaux filaires complexes où la réflectométrie pourrait souffrir de problèmes d'ambiguïté liée à la localisation des défauts. Dans ce cadre, la réflectométrie distribuée où plusieurs capteurs sont installés aux extrémités du réseau sous test est appliquée entrainant l'apparition d'autres problématiques telles que le partage des ressources, la fusion de capteurs pour la prise de décision, la consommation d'énergie, etc.Dans ce contexte, cette thèse propose de développer deux approches : la première permet de choisie la meilleure fréquence maximale à appliquer au signal de test pour la détection des défauts non-francs. La seconde approche a pour objectif de choisir les capteurs les plus pertinents pour leur diagnostic dans les réseaux filaires complexes. Pour cela, une combinaison entre les données basées sur la réflectométrie et l'algorithme d'analyse en composantes principales (PCA) est utilisée. Le modèle de la PCA est développé pour détecter les défauts non francs existants. Associé à une analyse statistique basée sur Hotelling’s T² et Squared Prediction Error (SPE), les paramètres requis sont identifiés. Une étude expérimentale est réalisée, et une analyse de leurs performances en environnement bruité est effectuée
Electrical cables are used in all sectors to transfer energy or information. During operation, the cables may be subject to hard faults (open circuit, short circuit) or soft faults (isolation damage, pinching, etc.) due to misuse, environmental conditions, or aging. These faults must be detected at their earliest stage to avoid interruption of the function or more serious consequences. Even though several electric and non-electric wire diagnosis methods have been studied and developed throughout the last few decades, reflectometry-based techniques have provided effective results with hard faults. However, they have been shown to be less reliable whenever soft faults are addressed.Indeed, soft faults are characterized by a small impedance variation, resulting in a low amplitude signature on the corresponding reflectograms. Accordingly, the detection of these faults depends strongly on the test signal configuration, such as its bandwidth. Although the increase of the maximal frequency of the test signal enhances the soft fault's ''spatial'' resolution, its performance is limited by signal attenuation and dispersion. Moreover, although reflectometry offers good results in point-to-point topology networks, it suffers from ambiguity related to fault location in more complex wired networks (Multi-branched). As a solution, distributed reflectometry method, where sensors are implemented in the extremities of the network under test, is used. However, several issues are enforced, from the computing complexities and sensors fusion problems to the energy consumption.In this context, this Ph.D. dissertation proposes to develop two approaches: the first selects the best maximal frequency for soft fault detection, and the second selects the most relevant sensors to monitor and diagnose those faults in multi-branched wired networks. The proposed solution is based on a combination between reflectometry and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The PCA model coupled with statistical analysis based on Hotelling’s T² and Squared Prediction Error (SPE) is used to detect the soft faults and select the required parameters. Experimental validation is carried out, and performance analysis in the presence of noise is investigated

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
A reflectometria coerente tem se mostrado uma importante técnica para caracterização dos dispositivos ópticos e optoeletrônicos presentes nos sistemas de comunicações. Neste trabalho, a reflectometria coerente no domínio da freqüência foi utilizada no estudo das características dos lasers de semicondutor de realimentação distribuída. Foram realizadas medidas da resposta térmica do módulo laser, da linearidade da varredura em freqüência e da instabilidade de freqüência devido às reflexões da luz nas conexões do sistema. Conhecendo estas informações é possível saber algumas limitações da técnica. Todas as medidas de caracterização são feitas de formas simples e prática.
Coherente reflectometry has been an important technique for characterization of optinal and optoeletronics devices used in communications systems. In this work, Coherente frequency domain reflectometry was used in the study of the Distributed-Feedback Semiconductor lasers characteristics. The measurement of thermal response of the laser module, linearity of the frequency sweep and frequency instabilities induced by feedback light reflected at the systems conections was was done. With these informations it is possible to know some limitations of the technique.

The aim of master's thesis is to get familiarized with the problems of measurement and analysis of seismic waves. Theoretical part deals with the description of seismic waves, especially their types, sources and properties. Attention was afterwards focused on the measurement systems of these waves, emphasis was placed on their principles and advantages. The practical part discusses methods of noise reduction and highlighting of significant events in measured data. At the end, individual methods are implemented into user-friendly graphical interface.

Les recherches menées dans cette thèse portent sur le diagnostic de réseaux filaires complexes à l’aide de la réflectométrie distribuée. L’objectif est de développer de nouvelles technologies de diagnostic en ligne, distribuées des réseaux complexes permettant la fusion de données ainsi que la communication entre les réflectomètres pour détecter, localiser et caractériser les défauts électriques (francs et non francs). Cette collaboration entre les réflectomètres permet de résoudre le problème d’ambiguïté de localisation des défauts et d’améliorer la qualité du diagnostic. La première contribution concerne la proposition d’une méthode basée sur la théorie des graphes permettant la combinaison de données entre les réflectomètres distribués afin de faciliter la localisation d’un défaut. L’amplitude du signal réfléchi est ensuite utilisée pour identifier le type du défaut et estimer son impédance. Cette estimation est basée sur la régénération du signal en compensant la dégradation subie par le signal de diagnostic au cours de sa propagation à travers le réseau. La deuxième contribution permet la fusion des données de réflectomètres distribués dans des réseaux complexes affectés par de multiples défauts. Pour atteindre cet objectif, deux méthodes ont été proposées et développées : la première est basée sur les algorithmes génétiques (AG) et la deuxième est basée sur les réseaux de neurones (RN). Ces outils combinés avec la réflectométrie distribuée permettent la détection automatique, la localisation et la caractérisation de plusieurs défauts dans différents types et topologies des réseaux filaires. La troisième contribution propose d’intégrer la communication entre les réflectomètres via le signal de diagnostic porteur d’informations. Elle utilise adéquatement les phases du signal multiporteuses MCTDR pour transmettre des données. Cette communication assure l’échange d’informations utiles entre les réflectomètres sur l’état des câbles, permettant ainsi la fusion de données et la localisation des défauts sans ambiguïtés. Les problèmes d’interférence entre les réflectomètres sont également abordés lorsqu’ils injectent simultanément leurs signaux de test dans le réseau. Ces travaux de thèse ont montré l’efficacité des méthodes proposées pour améliorer les performances des systèmes de diagnostic filaire actuels en termes de diagnostic de certains défauts encore difficiles à détecter aujourd’hui, et d’assurer la sécurité de fonctionnement des systèmes électriques
The research conducted in this thesis focuses on the diagnosis of complex wired networks using distributed reflectometry. It aims to develop new distributed diagnostic techniques for complex networks that allow data fusion as well as communication between reflectometers to detect, locate and characterize electrical faults (soft and hard faults). This collaboration between reflectometers solves the problem of fault location ambiguity and improves the quality of diagnosis. The first contribution is the development of a graph theory-based method for combining data between distributed reflectometers, thus facilitating the location of the fault. Then, the amplitude of the reflected signal is used to identify the type of fault and estimate its impedance. The latter is based on the regeneration of the signal by compensating for the degradation suffered by the diagnosis signal during its propagation through the network. The second contribution enables data fusion between distributed reflectometers in complex networks affected by multiple faults. To achieve this objective, two methods have been proposed and developed: the first is based on genetic algorithms (GA) and the second is based on neural networks (RN). These tools combined with distributed reflectometryallow automatic detection, location, and characterization of several faults in different types and topologies of wired networks. The third contribution proposes the use of information-carrying diagnosis signal to integrate communication between distributed reflectometers. It properly uses the phases of the MCTDR multi-carrier signal to transmit data. This communication ensures the exchange of useful information (such as fault location and amplitude) between reflectometers on the state of the cables, thus enabling data fusion and unambiguous fault location. Interference problems between the reflectometers are also addressed when they simultaneously inject their test signals into the network. These studies illustrate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed methods. They also demonstrate their potential to improve the performance of the current wired diagnosis systems to meet the need and the problem of detecting and locating faults that manufacturers and users face today in electrical systems to improve their operational safety

In this thesis a full featured workflow for the implementation of integrated diagnosis and monitoring systems based on Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is proposed. First it is shown how TDR probes installed in TDR-based setups can be adopted with simpler and cheaper techniques, then newly developed DSP algorithms for direct reflectogram analysis are presented. Afterwards, the TDR inverse problem, i.e. estimating the profiles of Transmission Line parameters from reflectograms, is dealt with. LineLab, a custom, reflectometry oriented frequency and time domain Transmission Line simulator is presented as simulation tool, and the jDE optimization algorithm is applied to successfully solve the inverse problem in both synthetic and real life scenarios. Both synthetic and experimental results are illustrated. The proposed techniques are of immediate practical application in a number of fields, such as leakage detection, concrete structures monitoring, precision agriculture, cable soft-fault detection, etc. Besides, they pave the way towards the realization of an integrated low-cost TDR instrument capable of continuous monitoring with both on-device and in the cloud processing and profile reconstruction features.

Lo scopo di questa tesi è quello di presentare approcci innovativi di signal processing e machine learning per migliorare i risultati di stima ottenuti con la riflettometria nel dominio del tempo (TDR), ed estendere i suoi campi di applicazione e possibilità di utilizzo. Vengono studiate diverse varianti della tecnica di riflettometria e degli algoritmi di stima relativi. In primo luogo, vengono trattati gli algoritmi per realizzare in modo efficace e accurato la stepped-frequency waveform reflectometry (SFWR), vale a dire la tecnica riflettometrica basata sull'uso di pacchetti sinusoidali. La tecnica SFWR è prima analizzata dal punto di vista teorico, evidenziando i problemi associati ai transitori nei segnali riflessi. Quindi, viene presentato un metodo per minimizzare l'effetto dei transitori, stimando le quantità desiderate con un errore sistematico molto basso. Successivamente, viene esplorato l'uso del deep learning per l'analisi dei segnali TDR. In particolare, una rete neurale convoluzionale è impiegata per il rilevamento e la caratterizzazione di più punti di discontinuità di impedenza nei cavi. Infine, viene presentato un nuovo metodo per migliorare il rilevamento e la localizzazione mediante TDR di perdite d'acqua nelle tutature sotterranee. In questo caso, i segnali TDR vengono analizzati utilizzando un nuovo algoritmo simulation-based, che identifica un modello "gray-box" dell'intero sistema elettromagnetico coinvolto nella misura. Questo modello fornisce una rappresentazione approssimativa ma molto più semplice del sistema, che è comunque in grado di riprodurre i riflettogrammi misurati con buona precisione.
The aim of this thesis is to present innovative signal processing and machine learning approaches to improve the estimation results of time-domain reflectometry (TDR) and extend its fields of application and capabilities. Different variations of the reflectometry technique and of the relative estimation algorithms are studied. First, algorithms to realize effectively and accurately the stepped-frequency waveform reflectometry (SFWR), i.e. the reflectometric technique based on the use of sinusoidal bursts, are treated. The SFWR technique is first theoretically analyzed, highlighting the problems associated to the transient components in the reflected signals. Then, a method to minimize the effect of the transients, estimating the desired quantities with very low systematic error, is presented. The usage of deep learning for the analysis of TDR signals is then explored. In particular, a convolutional neural network is employed for the detection and characterization of multiple impedance discontinuity points in cables. Finally, a novel method for enhancing TDR detection and localization of water leaks in underground pipes is presented. In this case, TDR signals are analyzed using a novel simulation-based algorithm, which identifies a "gray-box" model of the whole electromagnetic system involved in the measurement. This model provides an approximate but much simpler representation of the system, that is nevertheless capable to reproduce the measured reflectograms with good accuracy.