Citation

Abushagur, Abdulfatah A. G. and Mokhtar, Mohd Ridzuan and Md Rodzi, Noor Shafikah and Ibrahim@Ghazali, Siti Azlida and Subari, Khazaimatol Shima and Mahmud, Zulkifli and Abdul Rashid, Hairul Azhar and Franzen, Andre and Yusoff, Zulfadzli (2026) Non-Linear Pressure Sensitivity of Standard Telecommunication Cables. Sensors, 26 (11). p. 3618. ISSN 1424-8220

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Abstract

The utilization of existing telecommunication infrastructure for environmental monitoring via opportunistic sensing is rapidly advancing the field of distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS). However, while custom-engineered sensing cables are highly characterized for hydrostatic pressure, the complex mechanical response of standard armored telecommunication networks remains largely unquantified. This study experimentally investigates the non-linear distributed pressure sensitivity of three commercial telecommunication cables (Anti-Rodent, Duct, and Microcable) across a hydrostatic pressure range of 0 to 800 PSI. Measurements were conducted using Tunable Wavelength Coherent Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (TW-COTDR) with a 20 cm spatial resolution, utilizing a stepped depressurization protocol with 15-min stabilization holds to isolate true steady-state longitudinal strain. The results reveal that protective cable armoring induces severe mechanical nonlinearity. The rigid Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) rods of the Anti-Rodent cable acted as a structural vault at low pressures before yielding to become highly sensitive above 400 PSI. Conversely, the corrugated steel tape of the Duct cable exhibited high initial sensitivity followed by mechanical stiffening, while the unarmored Microcable maintained a linear response. These findings establish that a single linear calibration coefficient is invalid for heavily armored infrastructure, highlighting the critical need for structural characterization prior to opportunistic field deployments.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Telecommunication cables
Subjects:	T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering > TK5101-6720 Telecommunication. Including telegraphy, telephone, radio, radar, television
Divisions:	Faculty of Artificial Intelligence & Engineering (FAIE)
Depositing User:	Ms Rosnani Abd Wahab
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2026 02:22
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2026 02:22
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/16177

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