Resilient Amplified Double-Ring Optical Networks to Multiplex Optical Fiber Sensors

In this paper, we report the experimental demonstration of an amplified optical fiber double-ring network for the multiplexing of sensors. The network is designed to be inherently resilient to fiber failures because it enables simultaneous interrogation of all the optical fiber sensors using both rings. We demonstrate the feasibility of so-called ldquodedicated protectionrdquo for fiber optic intensity sensors. Raman amplification is used to overcome the losses of the couplers used in the rings, providing power transparency. In this novel configuration, Raman pumping is activated only when a fiber failure occurs. We demonstrate how the topology allows the received powers from the sensors to be equalized.