Extending the dynamic strain sensing rang of phase-OTDR with frequency modulation pulse and frequency interrogation

Abstract: We propose and experimentally demonstrate a technique to extend the dynamic sensing range of phase sensitive optical time domain reflectometry system based on the frequency interrogation. Benefitting from the range Doppler coupling feature, the frequency modulation pulse is capable of measuring the frequency shift induced by the dynamic strain, thus the large dynamic strain can be recovered. The performance of the proposed method is experimentally evaluated by comparing it with phase unwrapping. The strain sensing rang can at least be increased by factor of hundreds, and fast dynamic strain with peak to peak 130 microstrain vibration frequency of 20 kHz is measured.