How the Common Sensor Platform is Powering Emerging Technologies

23 March 2026

In recent years, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) has experienced a rapid surge in popularity within the geophysics community by turning fiber optic cables into dense arrays of seismic sensors. Most commonly, DAS experiments are carried out near existing infrastructure because the systems require a significant and continuous supply of electrical power. However, these heavy power needs are one of the multiple factors limiting the widespread deployment of DAS.

To help facilitate wider adoption of DAS technology, the Common Sensor Platform (CSP) team has been developing an all-in-one power and enclosure system so that DAS can be deployed in more remote areas independent of local power infrastructure.

As part of its implementation phase, the CSP team completed construction of a prototype of the DAS power system and its enclosure this past year. The prototype will be thoroughly tested this year to evaluate the system’s power output, characterize internal temperature fluctuations, and analyze vibration impacts.

Open view of a similar rugged enclosure displaying the DAS power system components from another angle. Multiple blue battery units are lined up along the bottom, with power electronics, cables, and a compact generator or inverter unit arranged on the shelf above.

Open rugged gray equipment enclosure showing a neatly organized DAS power system. The upper shelf holds electronic control units and wiring, while the lower section contains a rack-mounted component and large battery modules secured with bright orange straps.

Front (left) and back (right) view of the CSP DAS power system and enclosure.

All components—including the DAS interrogator—fit within a 4’ x 4’ enclosure box, allowing for the system to be brought in on a trailer or helicopter for experiments. The portable power system is capable of continuously supplying 500W and is powered by a combination of solar panels, batteries, a fuel cell, and an inverter. In keeping with the scalable nature of CSP designs, a low power version of the enclosure box powering a 40W unit is in the works for development this year.

Diagram of a DAS power system showing connections between solar panels, charge controller, batteries, inverter, low-voltage disconnect, and a methanol fuel cell, with color-coded wiring paths. — *Design schematic of the CSP DAS power system.*

Field setup of the low-power DAS system, with foldable solar panels connected to a closed pink enclosure sitting on a pallet outdoors.

Open bright pink enclosure showing a compact DAS power system, with control electronics mounted in the lid and multiple blue batteries wired together in the base.

Low power version of the DAS enclosure.

The CSP team’s continued work testing the DAS power system will help inform future iterations of its modular and scalable design, working to expand opportunities to deploy DAS in remote environments.