Compact multifunction digital OFDR system without using an auxiliary interferometer

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

9-1-2021

Abstract

This paper describes an integrated, accurate, and inexpensive semiconductor laser -based optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) system design. The system utilizes the fiber under test for both sensing and frequency sweep linearization functions, allowing the system to mitigate and compensate for phase errors without the need for an auxiliary interferometer, as is the case for traditional OFDR systems. Benefiting from the unique and embedded design, this system reaches the minimal OFDR system with only one optical interferometer and its corresponding optic-electric components without sacrificing accuracy. In addition, conventional design requires an external auxiliary interferometer, which may experience different noises fromthe main measuring interferometer, deteriorating the overall performance. Experimental results demonstrate the enhanced performance of the compact design as compared with the former methods, as well as the reduced complexity and improved cost-effectiveness.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Applied Optics

Volume

60

Issue

25

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