Abstract: In a system and method of Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry a laser source outputs a laser pulse to an optical fiber. A processor samples a backscatter signal generated by the optical fiber in response to the laser pulse. Upon determining from the samples that the backscatter signal has an amplitude whereupon an element of a receiver is in a saturated operating state, the processor decreases the amplitude of subsequent samples of the backscatter signal output by the receiver to within an unsaturated operating state of the element of the receiver. Thereafter, upon determining from subsequent samples of the backscatter signal that the backscatter signal does not have (or no longer has) an amplitude whereupon the element of the receiver would be in the saturated state, the processor increases the amplitude of the samples of the backscatter signal output by the receiver for sampling by the processor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic-based system includes a transmitter and receiver, an ultrasonic transducer including ?1 piezoelectric element having a matching layer thereon connected to the transmitter. A controller is coupled to the transmitter. The transmitter is for driving the piezoelectric element with a pulsed electrical signal, where the piezoelectric element transmits a transmit ultrasonic signal. A current/voltage measurement circuit is coupled to sense a current or voltage in the transmitter. The controller is for implementing an algorithm for an ultrasonic transducer monitoring method including comparing an amplitude of the pulsed signal to a predetermined limit. When the pulsed signal is determined to be outside the limit, an impedance of the piezoelectric element is determined to be abnormal. When the pulsed signal is within the limit, the amplitude of the received signal is compared to a lower limit, which when below results in determining a cleaning operation for the ultrasonic transducer is needed.