By upscaling the dimension of collected data, distributed sensors are essential in enabling large-scale data acquisition for “big data” systems, and optical fibers offer a unique, highly effective platform for distributed sensing. This perspective article delves into the current performance limitations of distributed optical fiber sensors and proposes avenues for future advancements, as envisioned by the author, whose four-decade-long career has been dedicated to this transformative field. In 2023, a group from California Institute of Technology, collaborating with Google, achieved the world's first commercial submarine cable-based second-level. Sensor measurements and data acquisition systems (DASs) are critical tools in every discipline in nearly every industry — from early research through product design and verification, manufacturing and production on through operations, maintenance and support. Measuring and acquiring good sensor. AIP Advances 1 July 2018; 8 (7): 075019. 5029815 We propose a real-time parallel data acquisition and big data processing method. This method can multiplex different types of fiber sensors and quickly complete the simultaneous sampling of thousands of sensors on hundreds. In addition, optical fiber sensors can be used to form an Optical Fiber Sensing Network (OFSN) allowing manufacturers to create versatile monitoring solutions with several applications, e., periodic monitoring along extensive distances (kilometers), in extreme or hazardous environments, inside. Distributed and quasi-distributed fiber optic sensors are systems that connect opto-electronic interrogators to an optical fiber (or cable), converting the fiber to an array of distributed sensors.
