Correlation and keying of Rayleigh scatter for loss and temperature sensing in parallel optical networks

Abstract

We develop a method by which coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) can be used to key portions of optical fiber by measuring their complex Rayleigh backscatter signatures. We show that these complex keys can be used to locate specific fiber lengths embedded within a parallel optical network, and that they can further be used to interrogate any induced loss or temperature change in the identified portion of the network.