Optoelectronic oscillator simulation with a section of optical fiber as a delay line in its feedback loop

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need for real-time monitoring of longitudinal and transverse deformations and vibrations in distributed metal and concrete structures to determine their condition. For this purpose, optical sensor interrogation systems are applied. However, there is a need to develop new approaches that provide high interrogation speed for determining material deformations accompanied by high-frequency (often ultrasonic) vibrations. Therefore, we propose the use of an optoelectronic oscillator based on a photonic integrated circuit that connected to a section of optical fiber that acts as a sensor. At fiber deformation optoelectronic oscillator output frequency changes. Accordingly, it becomes possible to determine the degree of deformation of the optical fiber with the corresponding impact on the structure. For the concept validation and numerical simulation, we used Ansys Lumerical software. The results of numerical simulation confirm the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method in distributed monitoring systems. The maximum interrogated optical fiber (G.652d standard) section length is 18 km. System sensitivity for 2 km long optical fiber is 1 MHz/m in length change and 102.2 kHz/ns in delay time in the feedback loop of the optoelectronic oscillator.

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