Extension of measurement range in optical correlation-domain reflectometry based on temporal gating scheme

Abstract

Optical correlation-domain reflectometry (OCDR), which measures the locations and reflectivities of faulty connections and other reflective points along an optical fiber, is valued for its random accessibility, real-time operation, and cost-effective implementation. In Brillouin OCDR for distributed strain and temperature sensing, there is a trade-off between spatial resolution and measurement range. To address this, a temporal gating scheme has been developed. Recent studies reveal that this trade-off also applies to simplified OCDR with no frequency shifter, necessitating methods to extend the measurement range while maintaining spatial resolution. This work experimentally demonstrates the effectiveness of the temporal gating scheme in simplified OCDR.