A study of topologies and protocols for fiber optic local area network

The emergence of new applications requiring high data traffic necessitates the development of high speed local area networks. Optical fiber is selected as the transmission medium due to its inherent advantages over other possible media and the dual optical bus architecture is shown to be the most suitable topology. Asynchronous access protocols, including token, random, hybrid random/token, and virtual token schemes, are developed and analyzed. Exact expressions for insertion delay and utilization at light and heavy load are derived, and intermediate load behavior is investigated by simulation. A new tokenless adaptive scheme whose control depends only on the detection of activity on the channel is shown to outperform round-robin schemes under uneven loads and multipacket traffic and to perform optimally at light load. An approximate solution to the queueing delay for an oscillating polling scheme under chaining is obtained and results are compared with simulation. Solutions to the problem of building systems with a large number of stations are presented, including maximization of the number of optical couplers, and the use of passive star/bus topologies, bridges and gateways

A study of CTD cables and lowering systems

This study first reviews both the electrical and mechanical modes and causes of failure of electromechanical (E/M) cables used to lower deep sea sensors, such as CTD instruments, from oceanographic ships. It then outlines measures or steps that could be taken to correct some of the deficiencies observed and improve the systems presently used. These measures include quality control, tests, operational limits, improved handling and maintenance, improved machinery. The study then surveys alternative cables for lowering the sensors and convey the information from the sensors back to the ship. These alternatives include strength members other than steel (Kevlar)and signal carriers other than conventional copper conductors (fiber optics). The final section - Conclusions - summarizes the recommendations, based on this study, for improving the reliability of present and future CTD lowering systems.Prepared for the Office of Naval Research under Contract N00014-7l6-C-0197; NR 083-400

GTE laboratories microelectronics research program

Issued as Quarterly progress reports [nos.1-8], and Final report, Project no. E-25-669 (subproject under B-10-628

Wellbore completion monitoring using fiber optic distributed strain sensing

Bohrlochintegrität ist unerlässlich für die erfolgreiche und nachhaltige Produktion und Injektion von Fluiden aus Reservoirgesteinen, wie beispielsweise bei der Nutzung von Kohlenwasserstoffen, Geothermie oder Standorten für geologische Speicherung. Um die Integrität einer Bohrung über seine Lebenszeit zu gewährleisten, ist vor allem eine erfolgreiche primäre Komplettierung nötig. Besonders die Zementation der Rohre stellt dabei ein großes Risiko dar, weil durch die natürlichen Gegebenheiten im Bohrloch viele Faktoren Einfluss auf die Zusammensetzung und Verteilung der Zementsuspension haben. Diese Studie untersucht das Monitoring-potenzial von faseroptischer ortsverteilter Dehnungsmessung DSS (distributed strain sensing). Ergänzend zu faseroptischer ortsverteilten Temperaturmessung DTS (distributed temperature sensing), welche seit mehr als zwei Jahrzehnten in der Industrie Anwendung findet, kann jeder Ort einer Glasfaser zusätzlich Informationen über den mechanischen Spannungszustand geben. Experimentelle und analytische Arbeiten wurden durchgeführt, um die Auswirkung von Laständerungen auf einer Faser zu quantifizieren. Desweiteren wurde der Einfluss komplexer mehrschichtiger Bohrlochkabel auf Dehnungsmessergebnisse untersucht. Ein faseroptisches Messkabel wurde im Zuge dieser Arbeit im Ringraum entlang der Produktionsrohrtour einer Bohrung installiert. Die gemessenen Geländedaten zeigen Ergebnisse aus zwei Arbeitsschritten der Fertigstellung der Bohrung - der Filterverkiesung und der Zementation. Aufgrund der Dichtedifferenz von Kies und Bohrspülung wurde am Kabel ein Dehnungseffekt gemessen. Die Teufe, in welcher der Dehnungseffekt auftritt, korreliert mit Wireline Gamma-Gamma-Dichtedaten, welche im gleichen Zeitfenster gemessen wurden. Die anschliessende Kompaktion des Kieskopfes wurde durch das Glasfaserkabel in Form einer zunehmenden mechanischen Belastung erfasst. Während der anschliessenden Zementation der Rohrtour wurde ein Dehnungseffekt in der Mischzone von Flüssigkeiten mit unterschiedlichen rheologischen Eigenschaften gemessen. Anhand eines Experiments konnte bestätigt werden, dass fluidrheologische Parameter (wie die Fluidviskosität) mit einem faseroptischen Messkabel quantifiziert werden können. Hierfür werden Fluidscherspannungen gemessen, welche durch das Fliessen von Fluiden an der Kabeloberfläche hervorgerufen werden (amtliches Zeichen zur Patentanmeldung: EP 19171265.2). DSS-Messungen erweiten das Verständnis von Fluidverdrängungsvorgängen in Bohrlöchern und ermöglichen eine Beurteilung von Komplettierungsvorgängen in Echtzeit.Borehole integrity is fundamental for the successful and sustainable utilization of hydrocarbons, geothermal energy and sites for geological storage. The success of the primary well completion is necessary to ensure the integrity of a well over its lifetime. In particular, the casing cementation represents a great risk because many factors have an influence on the composition and distribution of the cement suspension due to the natural conditions in the borehole. This study investigates the monitoring potential of fiber-optic distributed strain sensing (DSS) using a measurement cable which is installed in the annulus of a well. Similar to distributed temperature sensing (DTS), which is used for temperature monitoring in industry applications for more than two decades, fibers additionally convey information about their mechanical stress state. Laboratory as well as analytical work was performed to quantify the effect of load changes on a fiber. In addition, the influence of complex multilayered downhole cable on the strain response is examined. The presented field data shows results from two stages of the well completion - the gravel packing and the cementation. Due to the difference in density of gravel and drilling fluid, a deformation is measured on the cable. The depth at which the stretching effect occurs correlates with wire-line gamma-gamma density data measured in the same time window. The subsequent compaction of the gravel head, which was not revealed by the logging measurement, was detected by the fiber optic cable in the form of an increasing mechanical load on the cable. During cement pumping, fluid shear stresses create a measurable load on the cable, especially in the mixing zone of liquids with dfferent rheological properties. Based on this observation, an experiment was designed and conducted which aims at measuring fluid rheological parameters such as fluid viscosity. For this purpose, the fluid shear stresses acting on the fiber optic sensing cable in the flow path are measured (patent application number: EP 19171265.2). DSS measurements extend the understanding of fluid displacements in wellbores and allow an assessment of well completion process in real time

Factors shaping the evolution of electronic documentation systems

The main goal is to prepare the space station technical and managerial structure for likely changes in the creation, capture, transfer, and utilization of knowledge. By anticipating advances, the design of Space Station Project (SSP) information systems can be tailored to facilitate a progression of increasingly sophisticated strategies as the space station evolves. Future generations of advanced information systems will use increases in power to deliver environmentally meaningful, contextually targeted, interconnected data (knowledge). The concept of a Knowledge Base Management System is emerging when the problem is focused on how information systems can perform such a conversion of raw data. Such a system would include traditional management functions for large space databases. Added artificial intelligence features might encompass co-existing knowledge representation schemes; effective control structures for deductive, plausible, and inductive reasoning; means for knowledge acquisition, refinement, and validation; explanation facilities; and dynamic human intervention. The major areas covered include: alternative knowledge representation approaches; advanced user interface capabilities; computer-supported cooperative work; the evolution of information system hardware; standardization, compatibility, and connectivity; and organizational impacts of information intensive environments

Development of high-speed fibre-optical laser scanning system for defect recogntion

High-speed fibre-optic laser scanning systems are being used in automated industrial manufacturing environments to determine surface defects. Recent methods of surface defect detection involve the use of fibre-optic light emitting and detection assemblies. This thesis deals with the design and development o f a new high-speed photoelectronic system. In this work, two sources of emitting diode were examined, LED (light emitting diode) and laser diode. A line of five emitting diodes and five receiving photodiodes were used as light sources and detectors respectively. These arrays of emitting diodes and photodectectors were positioned opposite each other. Data capture was controlled and analysed by PC using Labview software. The system was used to measure the dimensions of the surface defects, such as holes (1 mm), blind holes (2 mm) and notches in different materials. The achieved results show that even though this system was used mainly for 2-D scanning, it may also be operated as a limited 3-D vision inspection system. This system furthermore showed that all the metal materials examined were able to reflect a signal of the infrared wavelength. A newly developed technique o f using an angled array o f fibres allows an adjustable resolution to be obtained with the system, with a maximum system resolution of approximately 1 0 0 |im (the diameter o f the collecting fibre core). This system was successfully used to measure various materials surface profile, surface roughness, thickness, and reflectivity. Aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, tufnol, and polycarbonate materials were all capable of being examined with the system. The advantages of this new system may be seen as faster detection, lower cost, less bulky, greater resolution and flexibility

High speed optical communication systems: From modulation formats to radically new fibres

High volumes of data traffic along with bandwidth hungry applications, such as cloud computing and video on demand, is driving the core optical communication links closer and closer to their maximum capacity. The research community has clearly identifying the coming approach of the nonlinear Shannon limit for standard single mode fibre [1,2]. It is in this context that the work on modulation formats, contained in Chapter 3 of this thesis, was undertaken. The work investigates the proposed energy-efficient four-dimensional modulation formats. The work begins by studying a new visualisation technique for four dimensional modulation formats, akin to constellation diagrams. The work then carries out one of the first implementations of one such modulation format, polarisation-switched quadrature phase-shift keying (PS-QPSK). This thesis also studies two potential next-generation fibres, few-mode and hollow-core photonic band-gap fibre. Chapter 4 studies ways to experimentally quantify the nonlinearities in few-mode fibre and assess the potential benefits and limitations of such fibres. It carries out detailed experiments to measure the effects of stimulated Brillouin scattering, self-phase modulation and four-wave mixing and compares the results to numerical models, along with capacity limit calculations. Chapter 5 investigates hollow-core photonic band-gap fibre, where such fibres are predicted to have a low-loss minima at a wavelength of 2μm. To benefit from this potential low loss window requires the development of telecoms grade subsystems and components. The chapter will outline some of the development and characterisation of these components. The world's first wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) subsystem directly implemented at 2μm is presented along with WDM transmission over hollow-core photonic band-gap fibre at 2μm. References: [1]P. P. Mitra, J. B. Stark, Nature, 411, 1027-1030, 2001 [2] A. D. Ellis et al., JLT, 28, 423-433, 2010