Global Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Market Size, Share, Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2023 - by Scattering Process (Rayleigh Scattering Effect, Raman Scattering Effect, Interferometric Distributed Optical-Fiber Sensor, Distributed Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor and Brillouin Scattering Effect, by Operating Principle (OTDR, OFDR, OLCR), by Fiber Type (Multimode Fiber and Single-Mode Fiber), by Vertical (Oil & Gas, Energy and Utility , Military, Civil Engineering, and Others), by Application (Temperature Sensing, Acoustic Sensing, Strain Sensing, Pressure Sensing, and Others)

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Market Overview

The global distributed fiber optic sensor market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.0% during the forecast period, reaching $1,970.1 million by 2023. Distributed fiber optic sensors refer to fiber cables integrated with distributed sensing technology along their entire length for the purpose of obtaining real-time and continuous measurements for changes in the environmental conditions.

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTED FIBER OPTIC SENSOR MARKET BY SCATTERING PROCESS $M (2013–2023)

Based on scattering process, the distributed fiber optic sensor market is categorized into Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering, interferometric scattering, distributed fiber Bragg grating, and Brillouin scattering. Among these, Raman scattering is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, whereas the Rayleigh scattering process is projected to register the highest CAGR.

On the basis of vertical, the distributed fiber optic sensor market is categorized into oil and gas, civil engineering, military, energy and utility, and others (environment and geotechnics, healthcare, and industrial). Among these, the oil and gas industry is expected to hold the largest share in the market in the forecast period. This is attributable to the several advantages provided by distributed fiber optic sensor sensors, including more accurate results even in remote locations as well as optimize operations and economic performance of assets. These sensors are widely used in the oil and gas industry for the monitoring of well temperature and for obtaining authentic pictures of the physical parameters of wellbores.

However, the distributed fiber optic sensor market is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the civil engineering category. Distributed fiber optic sensors are used in civil engineering to improve the accuracy and efficiency of inspection. The deployment of structured health monitoring (SHM) systems is the key factor behind the increasing adoption of distributed optic fiber sensors in the civil engineering sector.

Earlier, engineers well-versed in visual inspection undertook the assessment of buildings, bridges, dams and tunnels, which carried the possibility of inaccurate measurements as they are limited to measurements at discreet points. However, owing to their small size, durability, security, and insensitivity to external electromagnetic perturbations, distributed fiber optic sensors have demonstrated great results in this regard and gained ground in the sector.

On the basis of application, the market is categorized into temperature sensing, pressure sensing, strain sensing, acoustic sensing, and others (humidity sensing and force sensing). Among these, the temperature sensing category is expected to contribute the largest revenue to the distributed fiber optic sensor market during the forecast period. However, the acoustic sensing category is projected to witness the highest CAGR, with the wireless and passive nature of acoustic sensors expected to be the key reason behind their wide adoption. Distributed acoustic sensors are used to note any change in vibration with the help of a distributed optical fiber.

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Market Dynamics

Trends

Some of the benefits associated with distributed fiber optic sensors are high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, lightness, broad bandwidth, ease of deployment, and small size. Several research groups are now focusing on distributed sensors that can detect several dynamic parameters, such as electromagnetic fields, dynamic strains, and sound waves. Owing to these benefits, there has been a swift adoption of distributed fiber optic sensors in numerous sectors for varying applications.

Moreover, the distributed fiber optic sensor market is witnessing the development of new ways of enhancing the application of these sensors, which may take their usage far beyond traditional measurements. The growing demand for high-speed ethernet is creating the requirement for more bandwidth, which, in turn, is predicted to raise the adoption rate of single-mode fiber-based sensors, as these are deployed over long distances.

Growth Drivers

The major factor driving the growth of the global distributed fiber optic sensor market is the increase in the worldwide demand for power and utility, oil and gas, and safety and security. Such sensors have the ability to operate and optimize the resources in the oil and gas industry as they can monitor the entire length of the pipeline structure. Moreover, factors such as surge in capital investments for thermal-enhanced oil improvement techniques, growing focus on oil recovery, and emergence of multi-lateral hydraulic fracturing technologies are aiding the growth of the market.

In conventional tank monitoring systems used in the oil and gas industry, the sensing element works as a separate physical device, commonly fastened at the end of the copper line. However, unlike such devices, the distributed fiber optic sensing system transforms the entire length of the fiber into thousands of individual sensing points to offer more accurate measurements.

Conventional sensors depend on various individual sensors measuring at pre-decided points, whereas distributed sensing takes advantage of optical fiber, rather than relying on manufactured sensors. Distributed fiber optic sensors offer several benefits in surveilling solutions for the safety of critical assets, especially when deployed in remote locations or inhospitable environments. These sensors do away with the need for integrating thousands of sensors by using a single optical fiber system for the purpose. Further, optical fiber is manageable, lightweight, and unaffected by electromagnetic interference (EMI) and costs less, thus becoming a flexible and economical sensor medium. All these benefits offered by these sensors are expected to help the distributed fiber optic sensor market grow.

Restraints

The high cost of distributed fiber optic sensors is one of the major factors hampering their market growth around the world. Owing to this, acceptability for these sensors, against conventional sensor technology, is comparatively slow.

The adoption of sensing technologies relies not only on accurate and dependable measurements but also on their installation and ease of usage. Often, the installation of distributed fiber optic sensors is impacted by technical constraints that occur in the process owing to the sensor packaging, optical loss, and fiber breakage of the cable. Thus, the high product cost and technical constraints during installation are the key factors affecting the growth of the distributed fiber optic sensor market to some extent.

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Market Competitive Landscape

Halliburton Company, Schlumberger Limited, Weatherford International plc, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Luna Innovations Incorporated, QinetiQ Group plc, OmniSens S.A., OFS Fitel LLC, Bandweaver, AP Sensing GmbH, Brugg Kabel AG, Ziebel AS, and AFL are some of the key players operating in the distributed fiber optic sensor market.