HECTOR

Project "HECTOR" data sheet

The following table provides information about the project.

 Partnership

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 Project objective

HECTOR is a new generation of distributed fibre optic sensing systems, under the Rayleigh scatter principle, offering smart monitoring solutions based on optical fibre for numerous markets.

Traditional monitoring sensors (.e.g geophones, cameras) present specific limitations as they rely on discrete sensors measuring at pre-determined points. Thus, new monitoring and surveillance technologies were developed based on the distributed fibre optic sensing technology. However, the existing DAS (distributed acoustic sensing) and DTS (distributed temperature sensing) systems present two unambiguous drawbacks. They have a limited sensing range (maximum 70-80km) and quite high CAPEX (~€150,000, excl. software). On top of that, existing companies mainly focus on the defense and oil & gas industries, having neglected others (e.g. road infrastructure).

To face these needs, we developed HECTOR, our pioneering smart fiber optic sensing device. Through our unique proprietary extensors HECTOR is the only device in the world, able to extend the sensing range of more than 150km. We also managed to integrate DAS/DTS systems into a unique device and create a market expertise, in currently unexploited fields (road infrastructure, earthquake detection). Apart from tech advancements, our innovation constitutes a clear opportunity to extend the functionality of the already installed fiber network, without the need of replacing it, at a massively lower CAPEX/OPEX. Our final product is highly cost-competitive as it has an up to 3 times lower final price compared to competing solutions.

Aragon Photonics is a highly innovative technological company, expert in the development of test and measurements solutions in the fields of photonics and optical communications with its own facilities in Zaragoza.