BOTDA1000 Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analyzer
BOTDA1000 Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analyzer
Principle and applications
Uses stimulated Brillouin scattering between counter-propagating pump and probe light to measure the Brillouin gain spectrum. Time-domain localization provides temperature or axial-strain profiles. The two-ended optical path requires pump/probe access, which may be routed back to the instrument using a fiber loop.
Standard range is 60 km per channel, with up to 120 km in a long-range configuration and 1–4 channels. Applications include pipelines, submarine composite cables, overhead lines, dams and bridges. Standard single-mode telecom fiber can serve as the sensor and must be calibrated for its fiber type.
Brillouin frequency shift responds to both temperature and axial strain. Strain measurement requires temperature compensation; temperature measurement requires strain isolation or correction. One frequency-shift trace cannot independently determine both unknown quantities.
Optical sensing and transmission resist EMI and support continuous profiles, event location, fiber-fault monitoring and long-term condition management. Select the cable and complete system for the applicable hazardous-area conditions.
Range, spatial resolution, averaging time and accuracy are configuration-dependent and not necessarily achieved simultaneously. Temperature range depends on the fiber and jacket; strain requires reliable mechanical transfer into the fiber.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Fiber Type | Single-mode fiber |
| Sensing Range | 60 km per channel (up to 120 km for long-distance configuration) |
| Number of Channels | 1 to 4 channels |
| Optical Connector Type | Single-mode FC/APC (SC/APC optional) |
| Measurement Time | ≤60 s under the specified range, resolution and averaging settings |
| Temperature Measurement Range | -60°C to +300°C (depending on fiber type) |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±1°C (along the fiber under the specified range and test configuration) |
| Temperature Resolution | Better than 0.1°C |
| Strain Measurement Range | -10000 με ~ +10000 με |
| Strain Accuracy | ±20 με (along the fiber under the specified range and test configuration) |
| Strain Resolution | 2 με |
| Sampling Interval | < 1 m |
| Spatial resolution | 0.5 ~ 5 m |
| System Positioning Error | ≤ 1 m |
| Operating Environment | Temperature: -10°C to +50°C; Relative humidity: <95%RH (non-condensing) |
| Communication Interfaces | Ethernet (TCP/IP), RS-232/RS485, USB |
| Power Supply | AC220V ~ AC240V, 50Hz |
| Data Storage | 500 GB hard disk (expandable) |
| Supported Operating System | Original platform specifies Windows 2000 or later; confirm actual OS and driver compatibility for the supplied software |
| Dimensions | 483 × 447 × 133 mm (19-inch standard rack-mount installation) |
For advice on BOTDA interrogator, share your monitoring distance, installation environment and integration requirements with our engineering team. We can help assess sensor placement, commissioning and acceptance criteria for your project.