Physimetric-based data security for coded distributed temperature sensing
Physimetric-based data security for coded distributed temperature sensing (DTS) in which physimetric information is extracted from a coded-DTS interrogator which is unique for each interrogator at each operating run time—and used to reconstruct a final temperature determination from DTS data. The physimetric information includes coded-DTS pulse code and coded-DTS pulse profile information as a key to permit secure sharing with authorized users. The pulse code and pulse profile information are encrypted and made available to an authorized user. The authorized user can then decrypt the pulse code and pulse profile information and subsequently use this key information (pulse profile and pulse code files) to retrieve temperature information from for example, a remote computer providing a continuous raw data feed—without being susceptible to eavesdropping. The pulse profile and pulse code files permit reconstruction of temperature from DTS continuous raw data feed which have no meaningful informational value to an eavesdropper who has no access to the unencrypted pulse profile and pulse code information.
1. A method for securing temperature data generated by a coded-distributed temperature sensing (coded-DTS) system, the method comprising:
providing the coded-DTS system including a coded-DTS interrogator/analyzer in optical communication with an optical sensing fiber;
operating the coded-DTS system and obtaining and recording code pulse(s) used to modulate a laser included in the coded-DTS interrogator/analyzer;
operating the coded-DTS system and obtaining pulse profile(s) of modulated laser light produced by the laser;
encrypting the code pulse(s) and pulse profile(s) so obtained and make the encrypted code pulse(s) and pulse profile(s) available to an authorized user;
operating the coded-DTS system and collect real-time DTS temperature data along a length of the optical sensing fiber;
making the collected DTS temperature data available to the authorized user for reconstructing the collected DTS temperature data along the length of the optical sensing fiber using the encrypted code pulse(s) and pulse profile(s) after their decryption.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a the DTS temperature data made available to the authorized user is made available in real-time with respect to its acquisition.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the real-time DTS temperature data is made available to the authorized user via a remote server computer distinct from the coded-DTS system.