Numerical Modelling of a Distributed Acoustic Sensor Based on Ultra-Low Loss-Enhanced Backscattering Fibers

Abstract

In this study, a distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) was numerically modeled based on the non-ideal optical components with their noises and imperfections. This model is used to compare the response of DAS systems to standard single-mode fibers and ultra-low loss-enhanced backscattering (ULEB) fibers, a fiber with an array of high reflective points equally spaced along its length. It is shown that using ULEB fibers with highly reflective points improves the signal-to-noise ratio and linearity of the measurement, compared with the measurement based on standard single-mode fibers.

Keywords

• enhanced backscattering fibers
• DAS
• DVS
• phase-OTDR
• numerical modelling
• distributed acoustic sensor