5G is here and it is expanding quickly. But 5G’s ultra-high fiber optic cables find themselves in a conundrum. These cables, with more than double the fiber strand count than their 4G counterparts, need larger ducts in order to be installed without any threat of tension or damage, which could lead to a massive loss of transmission capacities. Thus, network owners are facing massive costs of laying down entirely new infrastructure to accommodate this.

However, network owners can resolve this by using older ducts. There are webs of existing infrastructure that can be refitted with 5G cables, thereby giving a smoother transition for telecoms. Dark Ducts!

The problem, however, lies in the maps of the underground infrastructure.

The Underground Utility Mapping Problem

Before using existing ducts, they need to be accurately mapped. Any unknown undulations or bends can cause damage to the cable and no telecom wants that.

Unfortunately, many operators do not have precise maps of their underground assets. Even for those that have invested in geographic information systems (GIS) to store network-related data, the quality of their three-dimensional (XYZ) data provided from most standard GIS platforms is often inaccurate or inadequate. This is largely due to factors such as unknown depth; references to aging or no longer existing above-ground landmarks; analog data references; and the inability to map infrastructure installed by means of trenchless methods, such as river crossings, underneath buildings, etc.

Alternative techniques such as ground-penetrating radar and beacon-based systems are unreliable or impractical because these systems are difficult to use and don’t get the exact measurement of the pipeline’s centerline. Moreover, beacon-based systems and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies commonly used for pipeline detection have several limitations. These include their ability to detect non-metallic pipes, their limited depth range, and high susceptibility to electromagnetic interference - rendering them virtually useless in densely piped areas or near railways and power lines.

But these problems can be addressed with an advanced gyroscope-based Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) technology. These systems can give detailed maps, nearly unparalleled in capacity in comparison to various other technologies. The following are some benefits of IMU technology:

No limitations to the depth
Maps both metallic and nonmetallic pipes
Insensitive to electromagnetic interference
Can map under waterways (rivers, lakes, bays)
Delivers GPS coordinates of pipe
Seamlessly uploads data to GIS databases

Underground Gyroscopic Mapping Technology

The PRISUM mapping technology solution consists of a gyroscopic measuring probe and software. The probe is composed of an Orientation Measurement Unit (OMU) containing inertial sensors that include fiber optic gyroscopes, accelerometers, and odometers.

The OMU is fully autonomous and battery-powered. All data logged is stored internally during a measurement run.

The tool frequently measures the angular rate of change of its core axis and records change in direction at a sample rate of 100hz frequency while traveling inside the duct. Raw data is uploaded to the post-process software to estimate the trajectory of the probe, specifically the pipeline position based on accurately logged entry and exit coordinates. The software analyzes the change in the X-direction (distance), Y-direction (heading) Z-direction (pitch) and roll position.

The unit, constructed with military-grade hardware, contains mapping instruments, supported by centralizing rings. The 3D gyro-tool can pivot through various bends, bumps, and turns that typically occur in telecom ducts. It also features an easily accessible data port for uploading data to a GIS file via laptop or notebook computer.

Gyroscopic Mapping Case Study

During a training exercise, a leading manufacturer of fiber optic cable recently attempted to install its new ultra-high fiber cable into an existing 2-inch duct. They ran into trouble. The cable became lodged in a specific section.

The training was stopped and the manufacturer reached out to PRISUM to evaluate the duct in order to figure out what the problem was.

For this, we used a probe capable of fitting into a 38mm - 50mm duct and analyzed the collected data through our proprietary software. Once the map was generated, we could see that there was a severe depth undulation not detected earlier. This resulted in significant elevation changes, which kept the cable from successfully being drawn through the duct.

While this was only a training session, multi-million-dollar cables can be put in jeopardy of getting stuck or damaged without the proper mapping analyses. This results in costly overruns and delays in project completion.

Our Gyroscopic Mapping Solution is the Way

With trillions of dollars on the line, Network Owners and Contractors cannot afford to attempt installing 5G cables in existing ductwork without accurate maps.

The competition for 5G is heating up and demand is soaring. Companies must ramp up installations in order to keep up. If mapping is the bottleneck in the process of using pre-existing infrastructure, precision XYZ mapping technology is the way. With accurate mapping, telecoms will be able to efficiently install data cables and reduce the lifetime cost of operating a data network. This is how gyroscopic mapping technology can help bring on the era of 5G.