Improvement of Performance for Raman Assisted BOTDR by Analyzing Brillouin Gain Spectrum

Abstract

We propose a simplified partitioned Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) analysis method to enhance the spatial resolution and measurement accuracy of a Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometer (BOTDR) assisted by a first-order Raman pump. We theoretically derive the mathematical model of the partitioned BGS and analyze the superposition process of sub-Brillouin signals within a theoretical spatial resolution range. We unified all the unknown constant parameters of the calculation process to simplify the partitioned BGS analysis method and the value of the uniform parameter is attained through the system test data and numerical analysis. Moreover, to automate data processing, the starting point of the temperature/strain change is determined by the first occurrence of the maximum Brillouin frequency shift (BFS), then the position where the partitioned BGS analysis method calculation begins is obtained. Using a 100 ns probe pulse and partitioned BGS analysis method, we obtain a spatial resolution of 0.4 m in the 78.45-km-long Raman-assisted BOTDR system, and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved. In addition, we achieve a strain accuracy of 5.6 με and a spatial resolution of 0.4 m in the 28.5-km-long BOTDR without Raman amplification.