The Sintela ONYX™ range is designed to unlock the full potential of the fiber infrastructure that already surrounds us. Across the globe, millions of kilometers of optical fiber have been installed alongside roads, railway lines, power corridors, subsea telecom and power routes, and pipeline networks. Traditionally used for communications, these fibers now offer far more—when paired with the right Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology.
Unlike other DAS systems that rely on specially engineered fibers to boost sensitivity, the Sintela ONYX™ peta delivers industry-leading performance using standard telecommunications fiber. There is no need for bespoke fiber installations or modifications. Whether dark or carrying live traffic, existing fibers can be transformed into high-fidelity sensing assets with the ONYX™ system.
To further enhance flexibility, L-band options are available to allow operation on active fibers – maximizing utility without compromising existing services. With the ONYX™ peta, asset owners and operators can rapidly deploy world-class sensing capabilities over their existing infrastructure, turning passive networks into smart, real-time monitoring systems with unparalleled sensitivity and reliability.
The Sintela ONYX™ range enables a new era of intelligent infrastructure—cost-effective, easy to deploy, and ready to deliver actionable insight without the limitations of engineered fiber.
L Band.
L-Band Variant Whilst the standard ONYX™ peta operates at in the C-Band (1530 -1565 nm) at 1550 nm, Sintela can also provide the ONYX™ peta Sensing Unit at a wavelength in the L-Band (1565 – 1625 nm). This enables the OSU to operate on lit telecommunication fiber.
Multimode Fiber Compatibility.
All units in the Sintela ONYX™ range are fully compatible with multimode fiber, providing increased deployment flexibility in environments where single-mode fiber may not be available. This feature enables the use of existing multimode installations – commonly found in campus networks, industrial facilities, and access networks – for advanced Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) applications.
With a sensing range of up to 10 kilometers on multimode fiber, the ONYX™ system offers an effective solution for shorter-range monitoring needs without the requirement for fiber replacement or network upgrades. This compatibility ensures that legacy fiber assets can be repurposed into smart sensing networks, delivering actionable insights with minimal disruption and cost.
By supporting both single-mode and multimode fibers, the ONYX™ range maximizes the value of existing infrastructure and broadens the scope of DAS deployments across diverse environments.
At Sintela, we are redefining the standards for Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) with our industry-leading ONYX™ platform. All ONYX™ variants use a Quantitative DAS approach, setting them apart from traditional qualitative systems. This technology captures the full fidelity of the acoustic signal – amplitude, frequency, and phase – enabling unmatched dynamic range, superior sensitivity, and repeatable performance even in the harshest environments.
Whether detecting subtle activity or high-energy events, ONYX™ delivers precise, reliable data with minimal nuisance alarms. Our advanced firmware and hardware enhancements, including High Dynamic Range (HDR) capabilities and optimized self-noise performance at low frequencies, ensure that ONYX™ remains the benchmark for sensitivity and accuracy in the DAS industry.
Quantitative DAS Summary
Improved self noise at low frequencies
SEAFOM MSP-02 based measurement made at: 100 Hz using a 6.4m Gauge Length
Industry leading sensitivity on standard SMF,
including at low frequencies
Measured using ONYX™ peta EP variant with upgraded laser with improved laser phase noise performance
Plots based upon SEAFOM MSP-02 measurement
Industry leading sensitivity on standard SMF,
including at low frequencies
Measured using ONYX™ peta EP variant with upgraded laser with improved laser phase noise performance
Plots based upon SEAFOM MSP-02 measurement
The ONYX™ range from Sintela sets a new benchmark in distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), combining superior long-range performance with an ultra-flat noise floor. This ensures consistent sensitivity along the entire fiber length, so the probability of detection remains constant from start to finish. With the ability to detect signals such as footsteps on a single fiber at distances exceeding 100km, ONYX™ units deliver a level of performance unmatched by standard DAS systems.
For large-scale infrastructure, multiple ONYX™ units can be networked together and deployed on assets exceeding 2,000km. This scalable architecture dramatically reduces deployment complexity, cost, and power requirements, making Onyx the ideal solution for long-distance pipeline, border, or perimeter monitoring applications.
SEAFOM MSP-02 based measurement made at: 100 Hz using a 6.4m Gauge Length
Extended range variant of ONYX™ peta EX
SEAFOM MSP-02 based measurement made at: 100 Hz using a 6.4m Gauge Length
Large linear assets can be networked with multiple units. Reducing the cost of large-scale deployment throughout project lifetime
= Huge cost savings
>500 Drawings and documents
REDUCED TO 10s
Approximately 30 different pieces of equipment
REDUCED TO 3
Power consumption at each location 450W
REDUCED TO <100W
At the core of our solution is a powerful combination of artificial intelligence and heuristic algorithms, developed and refined using over one million hours of real-world data. This robust foundation enables highly accurate detection and classification of events along critical infrastructure, dramatically reducing nuisance alarms.
These advanced algorithms deliver actionable data that supports our clients’ concepts of operations, enhances operational efficiencies, and protects high-value assets. The system provides an unparalleled, uninterrupted overview of the full asset, enabling real-time decision-making and situational awareness. By optimizing signal processing for specific activities—such as detecting digging while ignoring animals—our technology ensures that only the most relevant and critical alerts are surfaced. Powered by a continually expanding library of labelled data and state-of-the-art machine learning models, our platform offers precise, reliable, and field-proven performance.
ONYX™ enables improved signal processing.
Processing splits moving and
stationary activity.
20dB (x10) improved acoustic noise performance provides better input data into detection and classification algorithms.
Accurate classification of right of way activities.
Utilising advanced signal processing techniques data is optimised for the specific activity trying to be detected e.g. digging signals.
After this AI/Machine learning algorithms are used to correctly classify the event and equally as importantly to disregard signals that could cause nuisance alarms.
This enables the the ability to correctly classify digging but not alert on animals/cattle/horses on the right of way.
Detection & Classification Algorithms
Using Machine Learning.
Detection and classification of events along an assets achieved using Machine Learning based algorithms.
Large and expanding library of labelled data use to train each iteration of ML model developed.
50 generations of detection models:
Backed up with advanced AI algorithms and ever advancing machine learning, all trained on cross-industry applications. Each unit is preloaded with a library of greater than 1,000,000 hours of real-life data providing the highest detection rates with a drastic reduction in nuisance alarms.
This ever-learning life-cycle ensures you get the most out of your system in your environment.
Monitoring your data in real-time, any time. The software is served from each ONYX™ Sensing Unit connected to Local or Wide Area Networks. This provides full remote access to all the functions including, engineering setup, instrument diagnostics, data visualization, data processing and alert notification.
Full software control. All the acquisition sensing parameters such as pulse width, gauge length, sample rate and decimation factor are software defined and can be quickly and easier changed to enable the optimum settings use in each deployment.
Industry leading algorithms. Based upon many decades worth of combined experience the Sintela team have developed a suite of application specific, detection and classification algorithms providing unrivalled levels of detection with low rates of nuisance alarm.
Web based user Interface. Each ONYX™ incorporates its own web server providing the user with remote web access to a modern user interface from any web browser on a secure intranet / internet connection.
Distributed architecture. ONYX™ has been designed around a fully distributed architecture eliminating single points-of-failure in multisystem networked deployments.
Automatic setup with fiber monitoring. An automated installation process simplifies the setup, commissioning and testing stages of the ONYX™ implementation.
Open architecture. ONYX™ is an open system meaning that a customer can load and operate their own software upon the ONYX™ hardware if they prefer.
By harnessing the power of quantitative data ONYX™ accurately classifies and geolocates all moving objects and potential threats within 6 metres both in real-time and historically, putting you in control to respond appropriately.
Quantitative Measurements
ONYX™ is a fully coherent, phase-based DAS system which enables the use of sophisticated event classification algorithms to achieve a low nuisance alarm rate.
Industry leading sensitivity. Capable of resolving an axial strain of 1.5 pico-strain using standard single-mode optical fiber.
Integrated compact design All the optical sensing components, electronics and processing hardware have been incorporated into one compact unit.