Time shifting deviation method enhanced laser interferometry: ultrahigh precision localizing of traffic vibration using urban fiber link

TL;DR

This paper introduces the TSDEV method, a novel approach that significantly improves the localization accuracy of traffic vibrations using fiber optic interferometry, enabling precise urban infrastructure monitoring for smart city development.

Contribution

The paper presents the TSDEV method, which enhances laser interferometry localization accuracy over traditional cross-correlation techniques, demonstrated through lab and field experiments.

Findings

Localization accuracy of ~2.5 meters achieved in lab tests

Precise localization of traffic vibrations on campus and ring road

TSDEV method outperforms traditional cross-correlation in practice

Abstract

Using fiber network as a huge sensing system will enrich monitoring methods of public infrastructures and geological disasters. With traditional cross-correlation method, laser interferometer has been used to detect and localize the vibration event. However, the random error induced by cross-correlation method limits the localization accuracy, and makes it not suitable for ultrahigh precision localizing applications. We propose a novel time shifting deviation (TSDEV) method, which has advantages over cross-correlation method in practicability and localization accuracy. Three experiments are carried out to demonstrate the novelty of the TSDEV method. In lab test, vibration localization accuracy of ~2.5 m is realized. In field tests, TSDEV method enhanced interferometry is applied to monitor the urban fiber link. Traffic vibration events on the campus road and Beijing ring road have been precisely localized and analyzed, respectively. The proposed technique will extend the function of existing urban fiber network, and better serve the future smart city.