SPECTRAIL - Low cost intelligent infrastructure through fibre acoustic transmission.

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Spectrail is an IoT sensing platform which enables truly intelligent infrastructure. It is simple, low cost, fast to fit, maintenance free and able to sense at a majority of locations, yet, through its novel architecture, remains very flexible to local requirements. It will allow the infrastructure custodian the ability to collect data at sites previously inaccessible to power or connectivity, or at those deemed too high cost. The benefits to the infrastructure owner arise from a new ease in collecting targeted and actionable asset condition knowledge, enabling a predict-and-prevent maintenance strategy across many asset types - benefits which can be passed directly to rail users. The spectrail solution leverages the existing NR (Network Rail) fibre optic network alongside a fusion of three cutting edge technologies recently finding commercial applications in other sectors, but not yet in UK Rail: 1) FOAS (Fibre Optic Acoustic Sensing), deployed in overseas rail and Oil+Gas, is a central processor which can 'listen' over a 70km range by observing minute changes in light transmission caused by fibre movements, e.g from sound waves. It can detect and localise acoustic events such as wheel flats, cable theft and trespass. 2) PEAT (Piezo-electric acoustic transducers) 'tap' on the fibre, through the sheath, to transmit data. These will be integrated into nodes designed to interface with a wide range of sensors. 3) High efficiency photovoltaic panels will harvest energy at those sensor nodes. When coupled with smart power management, this will allow a 10 year fit-and-forget sensor lifetime even in low light or indoor applications. The result is that the already attractive functions of FOAS are complemented with low cost point measurements, offering the ability to sense almost anything, anywhere in the vicinity of where NR fibre runs, which is over 90% of infrastructure. When a new point measurement is required by NR, node installation will be as simple as selecting a sensor and clipping a small box to the fibre sheath. FOAS then automatically locates and interprets the output. This project will prove out the approach by integrating the technologies in the laboratory for the first time, then installing an end-to-end prototype at NR's RIDC Melton to obtain mainline test certificates for the next stage of product acceptance. Four sensors will be demonstrated at around a 15km range including two novel in the rail environment: Fire detection (proprietary, event-based); graffiti-in-progress detection (proprietary, sensor fusion); Geophones (COTS, continuous) and Rail temperature (COTS, periodic). Five partners will collaborate to deliver the demonstrator. AP Sensing is the lead partner and system integrator, providing the FOAS system and front end. Lightricity will provide the energy harvesting and management system, CSAC the PEAT system, and Pyreos the proprietary sensor solutions. NR Telecom are providing engineering resources and access to the test site.