Comparison of interferometry based and polarization based sensing systems for use in fiber infrastructure protection

Almost all data transmissions over long distances are transmitted through optical fibers. Fiber infrastructure is therefore very important and is necessary to protect it against fiber cuts caused e.g. by digging activity. Many network operators seeking appropriate solution for self protecting infrastructure system. We performed comparative measurement of the polarization based sensing system and the interferometry based sensing system to determine the sensitivity and accuracy of both systems. The results confirmed theoretical assumptions that both systems are suitable for strain measurement and the interferometry based sensing systems are more sensitive.