DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing)

DTS is a measurement technique that uses a standard optical fiber as a distributed sensor, enabling a temperature profile to be measured along its entire length — even tens of kilometers — from a single measurement point.

How does DTS work?

A laser pulse is launched into the fiber, and the backscattered light (most commonly Raman scattering) is analyzed, whose intensity depends on the local temperature of the fiber at the scattering point. Based on the signal's return time, the exact location of the measurement point along the fiber route is determined (analogous to how an OTDR works).

Applications

DTS is used to monitor the temperature of oil and gas pipelines, detect fires in tunnels and power cables, monitor drilling installations, and control temperature in large industrial facilities.

Related terms

OTDR

FBG

Chromatic dispersion