Attachment 1_Description of Requirements_Linear Sensing System Laser Interrogator.pdf

Description of Requirement Linear Sensing System Laser Interrogator

Scope: The Geotechnical and Structures Lab (GSL) of the Engineer Research and Development Center has a requirement to purchase fiber optic sensor laser interrogators for distributed acoustic sensing (DAS).

The purpose of this RFQ is to solicit mature laser interrogation technologies that meet operational requirements. Only the laser interrogator is required under this RFQ; specialty sensor cables and processing software systems are not being sought at this time. The contractor shall deliver the following:

1. Interrogator must be very mature, packaged in a single rack-mount unit, and providing high fidelity ready-to-process time-series data from each sensor zone.

2. Interrogator must be designed to operate on standard single-mode fiber-optic telecommunications cables.

3. Interrogator must provide fully demodulated output (with amplitude and phase) that is consistent across time and across zones for the same applied strain.

4. The interrogator must be able to identify the location of seismic and acoustic disturbances to within

10 meters (maximum zone size). The desired localization capability is to within 5 meters.

Interrogators that can localize disturbances with finer resolution will be given priority if all other specifications are equivalent.

5. Optical gain parameters for the laser and photo-detectors must be configurable by a non- expert user. Configuration tools must be provided along with the unit. Fully automated configuration capabilities will be given preference.

6. Modular Design: The unit should be designed with an internal modular design, allowing for quick and easy maintenance for individual modules and components.

7. 100 km range: Each unit should contain an optical module capable of simultaneously interrogating two sensing fibers - each at least 50 km length. This represents 100 km total range for one unit.

8. Quantitative Measurements: The laser interrogator unit should make coherent quantitative measurements over 100 km. Machine learning algorithms should be able to be used reliably on the system.

9. Distributed Architecture: The system should be designed from the outset to be entirely distributed, minimizing downtime and increasing system availability.

10. Laser Safety: The laser interrogator should be a Class 1 laser (eye-safe under all operating conditions), making the system inherently safer for use and increasing the life span of the optical components. This also eliminates the need for costly interlock safety switches and physical keys to operate the equipment.

11. Automatic Setup with integrated OTDR: The system should have an integrated OTDR [Optical

Time Domain Reflectometer] capability and automated installation process, simplifying the setup, commissioning and testing stages of system implementation.

Responses to this RFQ shall include all specifications, test results, and any other data necessary to demonstrate the technical capability of the sensor interrogator. Data can be from benchtop tests, and preferably will include data from deployed terrestrial and/or maritime sensor cables. The specifications must include a format definition for data that is output from the interrogator. Based on the information provided, ERDC will select the sensor that meets the requested specifications at the lowest price and will purchase one (1) for evaluation. If the selected sensors perform as advertised and meet requirements, ERDC will exercise options to purchase up to an additional three (3) laser interrogators; up to 2 years after base award.

Delivery Date: All items should be delivered no later than 90 days after contract award or the exercise of an option.

Delivery Location: Engineer Research and Development Center 3909 Halls Ferry Rd.

Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory

Structural Engineering Branch (Bldg. 5014) Vicksburg, MS 39180