Using optical fibers as acoustic and seismic arrays: distributed acoustic sensing

Optical fibers can be used as acoustic array sensors that record acoustic or seismic waves propagating along the fiber. These fibers can be laid out in tailored network patterns that cover large geographic areas.

Such fiber-optic sensing is a growing research and innovation field with applications in long-distance monitoring, attracting industries as diverse as, for example, petroleum, traffic, geohazard, infrastructure, acoustics, seismology, and border security. Based on the principle of Rayleigh backscattered laser light, distributed acoustic sensing, or DAS, uses in effect the whole fiber cable as a sensor, leading to a strain sensors effectively spaced every meter for a total length often exceeding 20km measured with a single instrument. This not only produces a massive amount of data to be handled (hundreds of GB/day), but also requires novel processing approaches.

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In this project,

  • You will get opportunities to explore novel approaches to design the layout of fiber cable networks, allowing for an optimized array signal processing and wave characterization using the Distributed Acoustical Sensing approach.
  • Challenges include that the cable is only sensitive to strain along the fiber axis, so existing processing and design techniques will be adopted to a distribution of directions of arrival.
  • We envision that methods from other array-processing fields can help identifying the most efficient approach.
  • You will work with several interesting digital signal processing approaches and evaluate the effect processing parameters on the array response function.
  • You will get opportunities to work with a novel technology and to establish professional networks in both the technical institute sector and academia, as well as with industrial partners.
  • An interest and background in Python and / or Matlab programming and in one or several of the following fields will be an advantage:
    • Signal processing
    • Array signal processing
    • Wave propagation modelling
    • Data science and visualization

This project is a collaboration with the independent research institute NORSAR, which is a research center for earthquakes in Norway, based in Lillestrøm/Kjeller, close to Oslo.

The MSc project will be integrated with ongoing research projects, including a recently established national Center for Research-driven Innovation [ Senter for forskningsdrevet innovasjon (SFI) ].

Contact

NORSAR partner

Senior Research Geophysicist / Technology Lead Fiber Optics, Andreas Wuestefeld, Andreas.Wuestefeld@norsar.no

Department of Informatics MSc supervisor

Associate Professor Sven Peter Näsholm: https://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english/people/aca/svenpn/index.html

Publisert 14. sep. 2023 09:00 - Sist endret 29. sep. 2023 13:38

Veileder(e)

Omfang (studiepoeng)

60