Method and apparatus for measuring optical distances
US6148123A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/07955
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The optical distance along a buried optical fiber (12) from a particular location (13) therealong to a central facility (10) is measured by first applying an intentional stress to the fiber in the form of a vibration signal (35) transmitted into the ground. A timing signal (36) is transmitted to the central facility (10) in synchronism with the application of the stress. Using the timing signal as a reference, the central facility can determine the time difference between when the stress was applied, and when the central facility detected the stress. From the time difference, and a knowledge of the propagation rate of the timing signal, the central facility can establish the optical distance to the particular location at which the stress was applied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.