All USSI fiber optic sensing systems, for every application, have one thing in common, that being that the optical fiber does the sensing. Our optical fiber, when protected in a properly designed cable, typically can have an expected lifetime of over 30 years.
The USSI sensor cable technology is similar to that used in undersea fiber telecommunication cables, which have a 40-year design life. Our fiber optic acoustic sensing technology is also similar to that currently employed by the US Navy on its newest class of submarines, called the Virginia class, which has a 30-year life requirement.
The USSI system has several additional advantages over competing fiber optic systems:
Low installation cost.
No couplers or splices required in the sensor cable.
>100X acoustic sensitivity. The USSI system has the highest sensitivity and lowest system noise floor.
Ability to detect and classify multiple simultaneous events.
Clearly defined detection zones.
Generates a high fidelity reproduction of all detected events enabling the use of sophisticated signal processing techniques for classification and low false alarm rates.
General Characteristics of Fiber Optic Sensing
A major competitive advantage that fiber optic sensor systems have over existing conventional electronic systems is the complete elimination of electronics at the sensor end. This leads to improved reliability, EMI/RFI immunity, lower cost, and lighter weight.
