Overview

Third-Party Interference (TPI), including unauthorized excavation in

a pipeline’s right-of-way, is the leading cause of pipeline accidents

and loss.

A single pipeline incident can have devastating effects, causing

property destruction, service interruptions, environmental

damage, and even death, often resulting in significant financial

loss for the pipeline operator. Furthermore, incidents involving oil

theft can go unnoticed for long periods of time because of remote

stretches of pipeline that are difficult to monitor.

Senstar’s FiberPatrol FP6100X advanced detection system is

specifically designed to promote the physical security of buried

pipelines and related above-ground infrastructure. Using fiber

optic cable buried along a pipeline, the FP6100X detects and

locates ground vibrations and acoustic signatures associated with

TPI activity.

Technology

Patented FiberPatrol technology is based on an enhanced version

of Coherent Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (COTDR).

COTDR is extremely sensitive allowing it to detect dynamic

changes in the refractive index of a fiber caused by acoustic

vibrations (intrusions). A pulsed interrogating light signal is sent

into the sensor cable and the back-scattered light is measured

from the entire fiber.

The FP6100X provides protection up to 80 km (49.7 mi) from one

unit and typically locates to within 10 m (33 ft) of an intrusion

event.

Protecting PipelinesFrom Third-Party Interference (TPI)

FiberPatrol FP6100X Sensor Unit

Back-scattered light detected and analyzed by Sensor Unit

Laser light launched into fiber

Single-mode fiber

Visual represenstation of Coherent Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (COTDR) APPLICATION NOTE

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TPI detection

The FP6100X detects TPI activity, such as unauthorized

mechanical or manual digging, long before the sensing cable and

the pipeline are even reached. By providing an early warning and

the precise location of an incident, a FP6100X system can help

prevent costly enviornmental and monetary damage.

The FP6100X system consists of two primary elements: the

Sensor Unit and the fiber optic sensor cable.

Sensor Unit

Sensor Unit equipment is rack-mounted and monitors the buried

fiber optic sensor cable. It continually monitors two sensing cables

of up to 40 km (24.85 mi) in length each. Both cables are attached

to one controller, making a total cable distance of up to 80 km

(49.7 mi).

Fiber optic sensor cable

Buried along with the pipeline, the fiber optic sensor cable is an

armored, multi-fiber, single mode, telecommunications-type cable

suitable for direct burial. Standard cable deployment for TPI

recommends that the cable is buried directly above the pipeline at

a depth of approximately 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in).

Protecting Pipelines From Third-Party Interference (TPI)

Pipeline

Surface

Ground

Directly buried fiber optic sensor cable (no conduit)

2 m (6.6 ft) typical

30 cm (1 ft)

Key specifications

TPI detection Sensor cable (typical properties)

Maximum sensor length 40 km (24.85 mi) per cable

80 km (49.7 mi) per head-end

Cable type Gel-filled loose tubes, double jacket,

armored

Alarm location accuracy Better than 10 m (33 ft) typical Fiber count 1 sensing fiber, up to 59 spares

Minimum virtual zone length 75 m (250 ft) recommended Sensing fiber type Corning SMF-28e+ or equivalent

Maximum virtual zone count 13 per km (20 per mile)

recommended

Optical loss < 0.25 dB/km (0.40 dB/mi)

@ 1550 nm (80 km per head-end)

< 0.28 dB/km (0.40 dB/mi)

@ 1550 nm (72 km per head-end)

Outer Diameter 12.5 mm (0.5 in)

Weight 135 kg/fm (91 lbs/kft)

Sensor cable

40 km (24.85 mi) 40 km (24.85 mi)

Sensor Unit

Sensor cable installation Coverage distance

For detailed specifications, refer to the FiberPatrol FP6100X for Pipeline TPI datasheet.

Sensor cable

Protecting Pipelines From Third-Party Interference (TPI)

Key features

• The sensor is a point-locating distributed sensor, capable of

identifying the exact location of activity to within 10 m (33 ft)

along the sensor for most typical interferences.

• The system is extremely sensitive to minute disturbances and

has uniform sensitivity along the entire length of the sensor,

resulting in a very high Probability of detection (Pd of > 95%).

• Sensors can be deployed to protect pipelines of any length.

Each system can protect up to 80 km (49.7 mi) and multiple

systems can be used together.

• The sensor can be deployed across any terrain or soil type.

• No power or grounding is required in the field since the sensor

consists of passive (all-dielectric) fiber optic cable powered by

laser light.

• The sensor is covert, which provides a significant advantage in

detecting human interference, catching perpetrators off guard.

The all-dielectric sensor is not detectable.

• The FP6100X is cost-effective, especially for long ranges.

• The location-sensing ability of the FP6100X enables it to resolve

multiple simultaneous disturbances, making it immune to defeat

by coordinated attack.

• The system can be deployed in a configuration to provide cut

immunity, which means the sensor remains fully functional even

after it is severed.

• The sensor is immune to RFI/EMI and lightning.

Location sensing

The FP6100X detects activity within a few meters of the sensing

cable. The actual distance will vary depending on the type of

activity, and the soil conditions that occur between summer,

winter, and in rainy seasons. For example, The FP6100X will

detect a small, light vehicle in driving mode up to 10 m (33 ft) away

from the sensing cable in summer conditions, but the distance

reduces to about 5 m (17 ft) in wet conditions.

Event Typical detection range (perpendicular to sensor)

People Walking 1 to 5 m (3 to 16 ft)

Light vehicle 3 to 10 m (10 to 33 ft)

Heavy excavating machines 15 to 60 m (50 to 200 ft)

False and Nuisance Alarm Rates (FAR/NAR) and Probability of Detection (Pd)

With The FP6100X, false intrusion alarms generated by

occurrences other than sensor cable motion/vibration are

extremely low. The system is specified to generate less than one

false alarm per month.

The FP6100X is designed to reject nuisance sources such as

those created by small animals, farm machinery, or nearby vehicle

and train traffic. The system employs adaptive filtering and pattern

recognition algorithms to minimize the rate of alarms induced by

environmental factors and unwanted nuisance sources. The NAR

depends on the sensitivity requirements for detection and

rejection of nuisance sources, in addition to factors related to the

ground type and condition, vegetation, environment, proximity to

mechanical noise sources, as well as on the configuration and

depth of the buried sensor. FiberPatrol-PL offers a variety of

configuration settings to optimize the tradeoff between Pd

requirements and minimization of NAR.

The system is immune to nuisance alarms and performance

degradation originating from electromagnetic and radio-frequency

interference in the field.

The system can detect isolated, non-stealthy excavation attempts

in the area directly above the sensor cable with greater than 95%

probability before such excavations reach the cable. Such

attempts include both digging with excavation equipment as well

as manual tools.

FiberPatrol FP6100X Sensor Unit

Protecting Pipelines From Third-Party Interference (TPI)

Cable cut detection and cut immunity

The FP6100X detects and locates a sensor cable cut with an

absolute accuracy of better than 30 m (100 ft). In the event of a

sensor cable cut, the system retains detection and location ability

in the portion(s) of the sensor cable that remain(s) connected to

the system controller.

The system can also be installed in a configuration to provide cut

immunity, allowing the system to continue full, normal operation

even in the event of a cut or severed cable.

Cable specifications

The fiber optic sensor cable consists of communication-grade

single-mode optical fiber strands in gel-filled loose buffer tubes.

FiberPatrol-PL uses two fibers to protect up to 80 km (49.7 mi) of

pipeline. The cable is rated for buried deployments and has an

all-dielectric construction with no conducting or emitting parts.

Simple installation

The FP6100X uses one fiber optic sensor cable in both directions,

which can be easily deployed next to the pipeline using standard

telecommunication methods. If the pipeline already has a single-

mode cable installed alongside, in most situations the system can

be retrofitted to use the existing cable.

Protection for long pipelines

To protect long pipelines, multiple FP6100X systems can be

daisy-chained and monitored from a central location either using

Senstar or third-party head-end software.

Integration with third-party systems

FP6100X sensors may also be integrated with surveillance

cameras and security systems to provide complete protection.

The FP6100X can be integrated with other intrusion sensors from

Senstar or third-parties to protect pumping stations and other

pipeline facilities.

Graphical user interface

The FP6100X software provides a graphical user interface for

system calibration and configuration. The software is designed to

be intuitive and easy to use. As with all FiberPatrol systems, the

alarm reporting methods offer ready and easy integration to a

wide variety of PSIM, VMS, and ACS devices, or even direct

interface to IP camera controllers. It also provides GPS integration.

FiberPatrol is the total solution

Senstar’s line of FiberPatrol fiber optic sensing and intrusion

detection systems feature the most advanced fiber optic sensor

technology available for perimeter and infrastructure protection

and monitoring. All of the FiberPatrol systems have the ability to

identify multiple simultaneous events, such as coordinated

intrusions, which can be effectively detected and located. The

systems report the coordinates of an attempted breach, which can

be used for activating corresponding PTZ camera presets and for

personnel dispatch. Location-sensing ability also enables the

system to ignore non-localized disturbances, such as those

produced by wind and rain.

For pipeline protection, the FP6100X’s passive, all-optical fiber

sensors provide sensing on up to 80 km (49.7 mi) of pipeline

from a single controller. Multiple controllers extend the systems’

capability. The FP6100X requires no electrical grounding in the

field and is unaffected by lightning storms.

Spare fibers in the sensor cable can be used for fiber optic video

and data transmission, further reducing the cost of infrastructure

development.

About SenstarSenstar researches, develops, manufactures, and supports the largest portfolio of sensor-technology-based perimeter security products and systems in the world. Senstar is also a leading provider of personal duress solutions.

Senstar products can be found in more than 80 countries, in tens of thousands of sites including borders, ports, military and government, oil and gas, correctional, and other critical sites.

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info@senstar.com  •  senstar.comCopyright © 2017. All rights reserved. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. The Senstar name and logo are registered trademarks of Senstar Corporation.

FiberPatrol is atrademark of Senstar Corporation. Product manufactured in ISO 9001:2008 certified facility. Version: AN-FP-004-IN-R3-E-12/17