Verizon and NEC just made fiber sensing a whole lot easier
TX and TOKYO, JAPAN, October 8, 2019 – In a recent proof-of-concept field trial,
Verizon and NEC Corporation
were able to use network infrastructure with existing fiber optic cables already laid in the ground as distributed optical sensors to collect information on city traffic patterns, road conditions, road capacity, and vehicle classification information.
The trial
used new optical sensor technology developed by NEC with software underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI) for intelligent traffic monitoring including the measurement of
- vehicle density,
- direction,
- speed,
- acceleration,
- deceleration,
and more. Historically,
companies have had to lay purpose-built fiber very shallow in the ground with fiber grating at pre-determined intervals to gather and synthesize this type of information.
Now, with optical sensor technology
developed by NEC, Verizon is able to use non-purpose built fiber already in the ground to generate similar data.
This new technology
could lead to or improve other solutions
that support public functions such as helping first responders detect and respond to gun shots and enhancing municipalities’ ability to more quickly and efficiently identify earlier deterioration of bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure.
Press Releases |NEC