Phase Noise Effects on Phase-Sensitive OTDR Sensors Using Optical Pulse Compression

We introduce a detailed theoretical, numerical, and experimental study of the effects laser’s phase noise on performance phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry ( $\phi$ -OTDR) sensors that use pulse compression (OPC). Pulse is technique can be used to improve received signal amplitude by increasing effective energy pulses are launched into fiber without degrading spatial resolution measurements. Therefore, it valuable tool extend range these mitigate attenuation constraints. However, has been observed limited coherence laser source effect actual enhancement this method provide. Here, we derive theoretical model quantify degradation for any type OPC such as those based either linear frequency modulation (LFM) or perfect periodic autocorrelation (PPA) bipolar bit sequences. The facilitates numerical estimation sensitivity -OTDR It also produces expressions mean variance phase-noise perturbed backscatter response. These results validated via simulations experiments in setups using LFM well PPA OPC. Furthermore, demonstrate investigate basic trade-offs involved design systems.