Current sensing in phase-OTDR systems using deep learning

Fiber optic current sensors are marked by a number of advantages such as light-weight, small-size and inherently insulated nature when compared to conventional current transformers which get bulkier and costlier as the desired values of current to be measured increase. Phase-OTDR is a widely known technology especially in acoustic and thermal sensing, but it suffers from noise that limits its usage for current sensing especially for low currents. In order to interpret the noisy data retrieved from Phase-OTDR current sensor simulator, deep learning techniques can have promising performance. In this paper, 3 different types of deep learning models were proposed and applied on the data generated by Phase-OTDR current sensor simulator tool to improve the ability to distinguish low and similar current levels. The current measurements were analyzed as a classification problem where different current ranges with different current increments are selected as different classes. The proposed method provided 100% accuracy at a difference of 20 A between the current levels. In addition, other scenarios where the current levels were increased by 15 A and 10 A were also studied. In this case, the accuracies 97% and 89% were obtained, respectively.