Keeping critical infrastructure, such as power lines, water networks, telecom cables, and railways, safe and reliable just got smarter: A highly sophisticated optical fiber interrogator, capable of multi-parameter fiber-optic sensing for strain, temperature, vibration, and acoustic events, has been completed as part of the EU-funded Software-enabled Fiber Optic Multisensing Network (SoFiN) project.
Combining NKT Photonics’ deep expertise in laser development with ADTRAN’s experience in advanced fiber sensing systems, the SoFiN consortium has realised a physical device capable of adaptive, modular, software-defined fiber sensing across multiple measurement domains.
The device runs sophisticated event detection and classification algorithms developed by Technical University of Denmark and is connected to cloud infrastructure developed by CyRIC - Cyprus Research and Innovation Center for remote site monitoring and data analytics, integrating cloud-based system control and machine-learning-enhanced signal processing.
In parallel, a digital twin platform for fiber infrastructure has been developed by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität. Connected to the cloud, the digital twin platform monitors the measurement history and serves as lifecycle management system for the optical sensors. The digital twin supports both standard communication fibers and dedicated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor fibers, enhancing the platform’s flexibility for diverse sensing scenarios.
The complete system underwent rigorous laboratory testing, where a range of environmental conditions, including vibrations, acoustic signatures of water leaks, strain, and temperature fluctuations, were simulated. The interrogator successfully detected all these events, showcasing its multi-modal sensing capabilities and readiness for real-world deployment in complex infrastructure networks.
A first field demonstration was successfully carried out at Tele2 premises in Estonia. The interrogator was installed in one of Tele2’s data centers and connected both to an undersea cable and to a fiber link running partially underground and partially in aerial cable infrastructure across Tallinn. The system enabled real-time monitoring of the fiber infrastructure, providing continuous visibility into the condition and performance of the telecom network. The demonstration validated the system’s ability to support anomaly detection through continuous monitoring and advanced data analysis, providing valuable insights for future predictive maintenance applications.
This proactive approach reduces costly service disruptions and penalty risks, while optimising maintenance operations. By transforming complex sensing data into clear, actionable insights through advanced cloud analytics and digital twin technology, SoFiN empowers operators to improve network reliability and achieve measurable operational savings.
The SoFiN project, funded under the Horizon Europe programme (grant agreement ID 101093015), brings together eight partners from Germany, Denmark, Cyprus, and Estonia. It aims to develop an adaptive, modular and highly integrated photonic multi-sensing platform, explore new approaches in digital signal processing and cloud connectivity, and validate the complete system in near-operational real-world environments for critical infrastructure monitoring.
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