Fibre-tree network for water-surface ranging using an optical time-domain reflectometry technique

Abstract

To monitor water level at long distance, a fibre-based time-domain reflectometry network is proposed. A collimator at each fibre end of a tree-type network retrieves 1.55 μm wavelength pulses that are reflected back from remote surfaces. Since this enables a power-supply-free sensor network with non-metal media, this system is expected to be less susceptible to lightning strikes and power cuts than conventional systems that use electrically powered sensors and metal cables. In the present Letter, a successful simultaneous monitoring experiment of two water levels in the laboratory, as well as a trial for detecting a disturbed surface by beam-expanding is reported.

Keywords

• optical time-domain reflectometry
• water
• level measurement
• fibre-tree network
• water-surface ranging
• optical time-domain reflectometry technique
• collimator
• power-supply-free sensor network
• water levels
• beam-expanding
• wavelength 1.55 mum