Journal of Physics and Astronomy Research

Vol. 5(1), pp. 087-093, February, 2019. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 9098-7709

Research Article

Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical

Fibre Cables
*1Minabai Maneke Igwele, 2Godwin Ebikabowei Ogobiri
1Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, P. M. B. 071 Yenagoa, Bayelsa
State, Nigeria
2Department of Physics, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

This study was carried out to validate the negative impact of vibration on a computer network
using optical fibre cables where the optical time–domain reflectometer (OTDR) of single mode
configuration was employed to acquire signal losses on the network. The losses were categorized
in three data sets such as that from a non–vibration (NV), a vibration source from a shaker and
generator (SHG) and another source combining the shaker, generator, and a truck (SHGT). The
impact of these results were compared on a column and area graph where we obtained a
superimposed effect combining all data sets in the area graph that the vibration sources from
SHGT had greater impact on the network as their reflected losses were -33.31dB, -33.29dB, and -
33.34dB respectively for NV, SHG, and SHGT. The results further confirmed that signal losses on
the network has a direct relationship with distance and also, vibration can as well help to
normalize errors arising from poorly terminated cables and correct some splice faults as number
of events an OTDR records are limited. This study also confirmed the possible use of this system
to investigate underground movements likely to be earthquakes or road failure signs.

Keywords: Computer Network, Vibration, Optical Fibre Cable, Signal Loss, OTDR, Flask Shaker, Generator, Truck.

INTRODUCTION
Among the enormous advantages of optical fibre cables,
its sensing capability have been employed through the use
of an optical time – domain reflectometer (OTDR) to
measure signal losses on a computer network built on
optical fibre cable by generating vibration from different
machines on the cable path of the network within a locality.
The OTDR which is a great device in studying the sensory
ability of optical fibre cable as used in this study applies the
reflectometry principle comprising Rayleigh scattering and
Fresnel reflection as its two basic physical principles in
actualizing these results, which would enable us
understand the impact of vibration that in most cases leads
to signal losses on a computer network of optical fibre
cables. The system (OTDR) detects the presence and
location of perturbations, which were affected by the
intensity of the radiation (light) returned from the fibre, but
do not respond to phase changes of the radiation (light)
hence, the authors have designed a phase – sensitive
OTDR to enhance coherent effects (Radim, Petr, et al.,
2015).
Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre Cables
The OTDR is also capable of acquiring data for both single
and multimode optical fibre, but in this study, only the case
of a single mode has been considered. This implies that
sensors in itself have different types and definitions and we
have defined sensors in this study as a device that uses
optical fibre either as the sensing element (intrinsic
sensors) for single mode optical fibres or as a means of
relaying signals from a remote sensor to the electronics
that process the signals (extrinsic sensors) for multimode
optical fibres. In the former, optical fibres can be used as
sensors to measure strain, temperature, pressure and
other quantities by modifying a fibre so that the quantity to
*Corresponding Author: Minabai Maneke Igwele,
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta
University, Wilberforce Island, P. M. B. 071 Yenagoa,
Bayelsa State, Nigeria. E-mail: stsmig@yahoo.com; Tel:
08136407023, Co-Author Email: ogobiri20@yahoo.com;
Tel: 08032749969
Igwele and Ogobiri 088

be measured modulates the intensity, phase, polarization you. The angle that the light beam hits the window
and wavelength or transit time of light in the fibre. They determines whether or not the reflection will bounce back
provide distributed sensing over very large distances. For into the flashlight, your eyes, or the ceiling. More so, an
instance, temperature can be measured by using a fibre evident change in the propagation of light in optical fibre
that has evanescent loss that varies with temperature or makes light lose its property of total internal reflection
by analyzing the Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering or (Procedia Engineering, 2017).
the Brillouin scattering in optical fibre (Ghosh, Sarkar and
Chakraborty, 2002). While in the latter, they use an optical
fibre cable, normally a multimode one to transmit METHODOLOGY
modulated light from either a non – fibre optical sensor or
an electronic sensor connected to an optical transmitter. A Below are the instruments used in carrying out this study
major benefit of extrinsic sensors is their ability to reach and their respective images are shown, except for the truck
places which are otherwise inaccessible as in the that was not captured during the process.
measurement of temperature inside aircraft jet engines by
using a fibre to transmit radiation into a radiation pyrometer a. Flask shaker (Gallenkamp brand)
located outside the engine. They also provide excellent
protection of measurement signals against noise
corruption (Ghosh, Sarkar, Chakraborty and Dan, 2006).
This study tends to validate the impact of vibration
emanating from different vibration sources and
combinations that could lead to signal losses on a
computer network using optical fibre cables.

Figure 1: Rayleigh scattering

Figure 1 above illustrates Rayleigh scattering, which is the

major loss factor in fibre optics. Longer wavelengths of
light exhibit less scattering than shorter wavelengths. For
example, light at 1550nm loses 0.2dB to 0.3dB per Figure 3: Flask shaker
kilometer (dB/Km) of fibre length due to Rayleigh
scattering, whereas light at 850nm loses 4.0dB to b. Gasoline generator
6.0dB/Km from scattering. A higher density of dopants in
a fibre will also create more scattering and thus higher
levels of attenuation per kilometer.

Figure 4: Generator and flask shaker connected

Figure 2: Fresnel reflection
c. Heavy duty truck
Again, figure 2 above defines Fresnel reflection, which is
like shining a flashlight at a window. Most of the light d. OTDR (Anritsu MT9083AI Access Master)
passes through the window, but some of it reflects back at

Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre Cables

 J. Phys. Astron. Res. 089

regulator of the flask shaker was adjusted to the maximum

to give a possible greater degree of vibration impact.

THE FLASK SHAKER, GENERATOR AND TRUCK

(SHGT)

A third and final set of readings of this study were acquired

by combining the vibrations from the flask shaker, gasoline
generator and heavy duty truck (SHGT). The flask shaker
and generator was maintained at the same spot as in
section The Flask Shaker and Gasoline Generator (SHG),
whereas the truck, which could not directly access the
optical fibre cable line was stationed on the road at 2m
distance to the splice point (i.e. 4m to the flask shaker and
generator) and the truck was repeatedly throttled for a
period of about 10 – 15minutes at the spot while the
readings were being acquired and recorded.

THE OTDR (OPTICAL TIME DOMAIN

Figure 5: Anritsu OTDR REFLECTOMETER)
The instruments were setup in such a way that three sets The OTDR was used to acquire all the readings of signal
of data comprising the respective signal losses would be
loss generated from the vibration sources and as well that
achieved according to the categorization below, which also without vibration. Before taking the readings with the
interpreted the readings obtained from the OTDR. OTDR at the patch or server room, the OTDR ports were
cleaned or sterilized with an alcohol as well as the fibre
The first category is the non – vibration data set (NV) cable connectors to ensure dust free surfaces that may
where we assumed there were no vibration within the inhibit proper connection. After cleaning, the fibre cable
premises in which the readings were obtained. A second connecting the line or route of the network (i.e. the central
category was the subjected vibration on the optical fibre administration junction) was then connected to the OTDR
cable from the combination of the shaker and generator and router or switch, the OTDR was then configured to the
abbreviated as (SHG) and a final category was the desired specification (in this case, only single mode was
vibration combinations of the shaker, generator and truck, available) and finally, the OTDR was engaged to record
which have been abbreviated as (SHGT). Each of these the readings as used in this study.
three categories (NV, SHG, and SHGT) have been clearly
described below as the methodology through which this
study has been carried out. Though, for the first category RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
(NV), the OTDR was directly connected to the path or route
of interest on the network and its readings obtained, but Table 1: Data set for non – vibration source (NV)
we ensured there was minimal obstruction of passer – by
S/N Feature/ Location Event–Event Loss (dB) Ref1
vehicles within the vicinity to reduce the assumed natural
Type (Km) (dB)/ (dB/Km) (dB)
vibration of the environment to the minimum.
1 1/N 0.0278 -0.13 -4.786 0.05(2P)
THE FLASK SHAKER AND GASOLINE GENERATOR 2 2/N 0.1941 -0.10 -0.584 0.20(2P)
(SHG) 3 3/N 0.4747 0.04 0.132 -0.13(2P)
4 4/N 0.6063 -0.00 -0.020 0.06
After the OTDR have been used to acquire the first set of 5 5/N 0.7595 0.02 0.161 0.19
readings without vibration (NV) as assumed, a second set 6 6/N 1.1731 0.12 0.285 0.21
of readings were also acquired from the combination of the 7 7/N 1.4683 0.08 0.255 0.05
flask shaker and gasoline generator (SHG) of which the 8 8/N 1.4861 0.01 0.297 0.46(2P)
generator was actually used to power the flask shaker. The 9 9/N 1.7644 0.03 0.092 0.04(2P)
generator and flask shaker were positioned at about 2m to 10 10/N 1.8100 -0.01 -0.129 0.93(2P)
the nearest splice joint, which was about 2m as well to the 11 11/N 1.9015 0.01 0.148 0.24(2P)
road side of the central administration junction where the 12 12/N 2.3794 0.07 0.152 1.21(2P)
field work for this study was concentrated. In essence, this 13 13/N 2.4937 0.02 0.135 -0.10(2P)
vibration source (SHG) was positioned at about 4m to the 14 14/N 2.5288 0.02 0.464 0.33(2P)
road side (Note that the vibration source was mounted 15 15/E 2.6639 0.00 0.010 >3.00 -33.31
directly on the optical fibre cable line). The axial or Overall Loss: 3.90dB
(End-to-End)

Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre Cables

Igwele and Ogobiri 090

carried out, rather the position of the truck created a

surrounding vibration against the signal loss, which lead to
more event points compared to the ones obtained from the
shaker and generator (SHG). Furthermore, the vibration
from the shaker, generator and truck (SHGT) showed no
significant difference when compared with the first two
results of fig. 6 above and fig. 7 below as this result fell in
between these two in terms of end – to – end loss, reflected
loss and number of event points.

Table 2: Data set for vibration source (SHG)

S/ Feature/ Location Event–Event Loss Ref1
Figure 6: Line graph of data set NV N Type (Km) (dB)/ (dB/Km) (dB) (dB)
1 1/N 0.0276 -0.12 -4.181 0.03(2P)
LOSSES WITHOUT VIBRATION (NV) 2 2/N 0.1941 -0.10 -0.603 0.21(2P)
The result of figure 6 above was obtained directly from the 3 3/N 0.4761 0.03 0.092 -0.12(2P)
data set of table 1, which represents same data set for non 4 4/N 0.7620 0.10 0.347 0.20(2P)
– vibration (NV). The result indicated shows a progressive 5 5/N 1.1722 0.08 0.198 0.22
signal loss over distance as light travels through the optical 6 6/N 1.4839 0.12 0.387 0.49
fibre cable. These losses are equivalent to the event points 7 7/N 1.8102 0.02 0.055 0.96
shown on the table (Table 1). Aside these progressive 8 8/N 1.9031 0.01 0.124 0.23
signal losses over distance along the optical cable path, 9 9/N 2.3792 0.09 0.199 1.18
the recorded losses also indicate splicing faults, bending 10 10/G 2.4943 0.07 0.605 0.19(2P)
losses, reflectance loss on the cable. Marginal signal - 2.5541
losses, particularly the negative losses showed that there 11 11/E 2.6637 0.04 0.230 >3.00 -33.29
were greater splice joint faults due to poor alignment, poor Overall (End-to-End) Loss: 3.94dB
or weak cable terminations, and avoidable bending losses
that could arise from poor laying of the polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) pipe carrying the optical fibre cable itself, hence the
curvy and sharp peaks on the line graph trace indicating
the various losses at each event point.

LOSSES WITH VIBRATION (SHG, SHGT)

Comparing with the result of fig. 6 above, one can observe
from figure 7 and figure 8 obtained from table 2 and table
3 below respectively that the line traces from the graphs
followed a similar trend, but in these cases as in fig. 7 and
fig. 8, there were fewer events recorded, which implies
fewer signal losses. Though the losses recorded from Figure 7: Line graph of data set SHG
these results were fewer, one can clearly see that higher
Table 3: Data set for vibration source (SHGT)
losses were obtained from these cases as well due to the
S/N Feature/ Location Event–Event Loss Ref1
generation of vibration from the various combinations of a
Type (Km) (dB)/ (dB/Km) (dB) (dB)
shaker and generator on one hand and shaker, generator
and truck on the other hand. These vibration sources may 1 1/N 0.0278 -0.12 -4.294 0.02(2P)
have eliminated some of the topographic challenges and 2 2/N 0.1929 -0.12 -0.706 0.24(2P)
corrected in part the splicing faults, but still posed a greater 3 3/N 0.4769 0.02 0.060 -0.13(2P)
degree of signal loss on the network within the confine of 4 4/N 0.6073 0.01 0.041 0.08(2P)
this study (Igwele and Ogobiri, 2018). 5 5/N 0.7593 0.02 0.124 0.20(2P)
6 6/N 1.1729 0.08 0.186 0.22
More so, the results of fig. 7 and fig. 8 respectively tends 7 7/N 1.4855 0.13 0.407 0.49
to give us a better slope or gradient to illustrate the direct 8 8/N 1.8098 0.02 0.069 0.94(2P)
relationship between the signal loss and distance, but we 9 9/N 1.9017 0.03 0.379 0.23(2P)
could observe that fig. 8, which was expected to generate 10 10/N 2.3796 0.08 0.172 1.24(2P)
a better result by this relationship due to the addition of the
11 11/G 2.4928 - 0.04 0.376 -0.12(P2)
truck as a vibration source to increase the degree of
2.5235
vibration tend to be poorer making the results of fig. 7 more
12 12/N 2.5288 -0.01 -0.291 0.32(2P)
preferable. This is because the truck size could not access
a closer proximity to the cable path as well as the 13 13/E 2.6639 -0.01 -0.094 >3.00 -33.34
suspected splice joint within the field where this study was Overall (End-to-End) Loss: 3.90dB

Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre Cables

 J. Phys. Astron. Res. 091

Figure 8: Line graph of data set SHGT

Table 4: Combined data set for both NV, SHG and SHGT
S/N Location Loss (dB) Location Loss (dB) Location Loss (dB) for
(Km) for NV for NV (Km) for SHG for SHG (Km) for SHGT SHGT
1 0.0278 0.05(2P) 0.0276 0.03(2P) 0.0278 0.02(2P)
2 0.1941 0.20(2P) 0.1941 0.21(2P) 0.1929 0.24(2P)
3 0.4747 -0.13(2P) 0.4761 -0.12(2P) 0.4769 -0.13(2P)
4 0.6063 0.06 0.7620 0.20(2P) 0.6073 0.08(2P)
5 0.7595 0.19 1.1722 0.22 0.7593 0.20(2P)
6 1.1731 0.21 1.4839 0.49 1.1729 0.22
7 1.4683 0.05 1.8102 0.96 1.4855 0.49
8 1.4861 0.46(2P) 1.9031 0.23 1.8098 0.94(2P)
9 1.7644 0.04(2P) 2.3792 1.18 1.9017 0.23(2P)
10 1.8100 0.93(2P) 2.4943 - 2.5541 0.19(2P) 2.3796 1.24(2P)
11 1.9015 0.24(2P) 2.6637 >3.00 2.4928 - 2.5235 -0.12(P2)
12 2.3794 1.21(2P) - - 2.5288 0.32(2P)
13 2.4937 -0.10(2P) - - 2.6639 >3.00
14 2.5288 0.33(2P) - - - -
15 2.6639 >3.00 - - - -
Ref1 (dB) for NV -33.31 Ref1 (dB) for SHG -33.29 Ref1 (dB) for SHGT -33.34

Figure 9: Column graph of combined data set for NV, SHG and SHGT
Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre Cables
Igwele and Ogobiri 092
Figure 10: Area graph of combined data set for NV, SHG and SHGT
COMPARED LOSSES FROM NV, SGH, AND SHGT
In order to validate the impact of vibration on a computer
network using optical fibre cable from this study, we have
directly compared the results of the above (fig. 6, 7, and 8)
with a column and area graphs as shown in figure 9 and
figure 10, which was obtained from table 4 above
respectively.
From the column graph (fig. 9), we have picked out the
losses in the three results measured (i. e. the results of NV,
SHG, and SHGT) and compared them against their
common distances of recorded events. By so doing, we
have been able to ascertain the final correlation between
the three results that the generated vibration actually had
impact on the signal losses and these losses increased
over distance as shown above from the three sets of data.
The isolated columns from the results of NV in fig. 9
according to the legend of the graph only indicated the
difference in the number of events recorded as the events
for NV were greater than those for SHG and SHGT.
To further buttress, an area graph was plotted with same
values where the various sources have been
superimposed according to their degree of losses over the
distances recorded. Here (fig. 10), we can see that at the
initial point of the graph, the data or losses from NV is quite
small, but as the distance progresses with a corresponding
increase in signal loss as compared with the others (SHG
and SHGT), an appreciable impact was seen from the
superimposed results combined from all three sources of
data set where the legends have been clearly defined next
to the graph and as the distance increases, it was seen
that the signal loss also increased according to the various
degrees of vibration.
Impact of Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre Cables
CONCLUSION
From this study, we have seen that vibration really does
have a negative impact on computer networks built with
optical fibre cables as the above results showed that the
degrees of vibration took a progressive trend, which is to
say that the effects of NV was less than that of SHG, which
in turn was less than that of SHGT (i. e. NV<SHG<SHGT)
and an overall end – to – end signal loss of 3.90dB and
3.94dB as recorded in this study excluding other factors
such as splicing faults and vibration, may also mean that
the light intensity from the network was not enough to
propagate the data across the length of the cable. From
this study, we have observed that reducing the number of
splice joints to the minimum and properly terminating its
ends would greatly reduce the level of signal loss and help
one to better predict and investigate environmental
hazards or threats such as tsunami and earthquakes. For
such purposes, optical fibre cables could be properly
buried for easy detection of underground movements that
could lead to such occurrences. More so, better impact of
vibration leading to signal losses for this study can be
acquired when such vibration is generated and repeated
within 500m – 1km intervals on the optical fibre cable as
against the standard distance of 2km – 4km as vibration on
or within an optical fibre network can greatly affect the
signal loss arising from it.
Finally, there exist vibration limits for building structures
and human comforts and that one good degree of vibration
for a particular purpose may be bad for another, though
this was not considered in this study, but this study has
also shown that optical fibres can be used not only as
communication cables, but can as well be used as sensors
and the OTDR plays a major role in complementing the
sensing ability of optical fibres as it helps to acquire the
necessary signal losses.

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Accepted 31 January 2019
Citation: Igwele MM, Ogobiri GE (2019). Impact of
Vibration on a Computer Network Using Optical Fibre
Cables. Journal of Physics and Astronomy Research. 5(1):
087-093.
Copyright: © 2019. Igwele and Ogobiri. This is an open-
access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original author and source are cited.