ELECTRONIC SENSORS Optoelectronic solutions for smarter
critical infrastructure monitoring test, VIAVI Solutions
B
eyond its established role in communications and displays, optoelectronics is now a transformative enabler of sensing technologies and is optic sensing in critical infrastructure monitoring.
Conventional monitoring of infrastructure relies on a number of methods, each with their own drawbacks. Manual inspections are expensive and time consuming and frequently has to take place in highly inhospitable locations. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) requires trained personnel and is limited by soil conditions. Acoustic emission testing requires extensive sensor deployment. resolution to catch small leaks without costly sensor arrays. one that is simultaneously immune to electrical interference, resistant to corrosion, and capable of long-distance transmission. While the technology has been applied since the 1990s, early systems were expensive and limited in performance. More recently, advances in AI and machine learning have improved the signal processing, data interpretation and pattern recognition needed to use them effectively.
Fiber optic sensing takes two forms. Extrinsic external sensors, while intrinsic sensing turns complexity and cost. By analysing scattered
light, operators can detect temperature, strain, or vibration changes, enabling thousands of DFS techniques include:
• Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) using Raman scattering.
• Distributed Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS) using Brillouin scattering.
• Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using coherent Rayleigh scattering
Together, these methods enable real-time, continuous monitoring along an entire pipeline without installing thousands of individual sensors.
DFS can be deployed through portable systems for long-term monitoring. Data is processed in real time, with automated alarms triggered when anomalies arise. DAS can detect the acoustic signatures of leaks, even very small ones, before they escalate into failures. DTSS can identify stress from soil shifts, landslides, or seismic activity. Beyond natural risks, DFS is effective against
human threats. Excavation near a pipeline, whether accidental or malicious, creates vibrations detectable by DAS. Even surface- level vehicle or pedestrian activity can be zones. By pinpointing GPS coordinates, operators can act quickly and avoid wasted time searching for issues.
However, detecting backscatter light is only part of the challenge; interpreting it correctly is essential. VIAVI datasets have been built over 15 years by monitoring thousands of kilometres of pipeline. This database allows the system to detect anomalies and in real time and alerts coded to give operators clear guidance on priorities.
The accuracy has been proven in testing. In one study, engineers created a series of them. In another case, two digging incidents Fibre optic sensing illustrates the broader role of optoelectronics: turning light into actionable data that protects critical assets and environments. Unlike traditional monitoring methods, DFS offers proactive protection by identifying early warning signs, environmental stresses and suspicious activity. With detection ranges up to 100 km optoelectronics is pushing boundaries. As industries face rising demands for safety, continue to play a pivotal role. They are shaping the future of communications while safeguarding the infrastructure modern life depends upon.
12 NOVEMBER 2025 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
www.viavisolutions.com
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