technology
Bandweaver utilise fiber optic sensing technology in their solutions. This technology section will explain the DTS and DAS systems used by Bandweaver.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing - DAS
Distributed acoustic sensing systems (DAS) are fiber optic based optoelectronic instruments which measure acoustic interactions along the length of a fiber optic sensing cable.
The unique feature of a distributed acoustic sensing system is that it provides a continuous (or distributed) temperature profile along the length of the sensing cable and not at discrete sensing points.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing Technology
Typically DAS technology uses a standard telecoms fiber optic cable and is based on COTDR or interferometer based technology.The sensing fiber is typically based on single-mode fibers . It can be mounted on fences, walls or other assets/equipment (to monitor intrusion events or for condition monitoring) or can be buried underground either to monitor the surrounding area or underground assets (e.g. cables and pipelines) .
The range of DAS systems is typically up to 50km per sensing fiber and each interrogation unit typically has 1 or 2 channels that can operate simultaneously; e.g., the Bandweaver Horizon DAS100 can measure up to 100km with a 2-channel unit measuring 50km in either direction.
Distributed Temperature Sensing - DTS
Distributed temperature sensing systems (DTS) are fiber optic based optoelectronic instruments which measure temperature along the length of the fiber optic sensing cable. The unique feature of a distributed temperature sensing system is that it provides a continuous (or distributed) temperature profile along the length of the sensing cable and not at discrete sensing points, which must be predetermined.
Fiber Optic Temperature Sensor: How It Works
DTS systems contain a pulsed laser which sends in an approximately 1 m pulse (equivalent to a 10 ns time) into the fiber optic. As the pulse travels along the length of the fiber optic, it interacts with the glass. Due to small imperfections in the glass, a tiny amount of the original laser pulse is reflected back towards the DTS sensing system. By analysing the reflected light, the DTS is able to calculate the temperature of the event (by analysing the power of the reflected light) and also the location of the event (by measuring the time it takes the backscattered light to return) to typically within a metre. This is known as Optical Time Domain Reflectormetry (or OTDR).
Real Time Thermal Rating - RTTR
Real-time thermal rating (also known as Dynamic Cable Rating) is a methodology used within the power and utility sector to assess the operational thermal rating of equipment. RTTR provides information on system capacity (or thermal headroom) and is able to indicate whether areas are stressed (overheated) or in fact have more capacity than originally anticipated.
Real-time thermal rating systems typically use real-time data taken from real environmental conditions and loading rather than relying on conservative theoretical assumptions.
Real-Time Thermal Rating Systems & Distributed Temperature Sensing Instruments
The temperature of an asset itself, such as a power cable, is key for RTTR, as this should not increase above its design limits. This can be measured continuously if equipment utilises a Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) system; otherwise, this can only be estimated. Distributed temperature-sensing fibers are installed along the length of the power cable (sometimes inside the construction of the power cable itself).
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