VIAVI Solutions wins at the SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2024

Its B-OTDR solution helps to improve worker safety in mining and tunnelling projects to avoid incidents and casualties.

Communications equipment company VIAVI Solutions has been awarded the SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2024 in the Network and Broadband - Telecommunications category for the success of its fibre sensing technology and Brillouin OTDR (B-OTDR).

B-OTDR is an instrument for measuring temperature and strain along an optical fibre cable. VIAVI B-OTDR has a patented algorithm for simultaneous temperature and strain measurement from a single end and requires only one fibre. It is available in a portable platform for commissioning and routine auditing, or a rackmount platform for permanent monitoring.

A lab test was conducted in 2023 as a proof of concept. During this test, a rockbolt was tensioned to produce various strains. The B-OTDR then performed measurements to detect and measure the various tensions. The lab test result demonstrated that VIAVI B-OTDR was able to measure the effective strain of a rockbolt with good accuracy.

This successful lab test proved the VIAVI B-OTDR can help to improve worker safety by avoiding casualties in mining and tunnel projects as any excess strain in construction materials and surface deformation can be detected early through the monitoring of a sensing fibre’s strain.

SBR Technology Excellence Awards recognises exceptional companies in Singapore that are riding the digital disruption wave and leading the technological revolution and digital journeys of their respective industries.

The SBR Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].