BICOM’s DTMS uses optical fiber to monitor heat across 20 km

BICOM Inc. is promoting a distributed temperature monitoring system that turns optical fiber into a continuous sensor for energy and industrial infrastructure. The system is designed to help operators spot hot spots early across assets such as substations, ESS sites and power tunnels.

Why it matters: - BICOM’s DTMS is aimed at early detection of heat buildup in critical infrastructure, where small temperature changes can signal equipment failure or safety risks. - Continuous sensing over long distances can help utilities and industrial operators monitor assets without adding separate powered sensors along the line. - The system is positioned for energy storage systems, substations, power tunnels and other sites where thermal issues can spread quickly.

What happened: - BICOM Inc., a South Korean research and development company based in Seongnam, is presenting its Distributed Temperature Monitoring System. - DTMS uses optical fiber cable as a continuous temperature sensor for energy and industrial infrastructure. - The system supports temperature monitoring over distances of up to 20 kilometers. - The fiber cable does not require an external power supply. - BICOM says DTMS supports on-site monitoring and is compatible with SCADA systems used in utilities and industrial plants.

The details: - BICOM lists applications for DTMS across energy storage systems, electrical substations, bus ducts in buildings and factories, underground power tunnels, power generation facilities, pipelines, plants and power lines. - BICOM also identifies water and gas leakage detection as a use case. - The system is designed to detect localized hot spots along cables, battery racks or ducts before problems grow. - BICOM’s core technologies include wireless system design, digital signal processing, low-power miniaturized system development and temperature monitoring using fiber cables. - The company profile lists two Korean patents related to temperature monitoring, registered in 2022. - BICOM was established on Jan. 14, 2013, and develops two-way digital wireless intercoms, digital wireless microphones and speakers, uninterruptible wireless broadcasting systems, a smart wireless LED light control system and DTMS. - The company has operated a corporate research institute recognized by the Korea Industrial Technology Association since 2014. - BICOM holds Inno-Biz certification grade A through August 2029. - BICOM is also certified as a research and development type venture company through November 2028.

Between the lines: - BICOM’s move from wireless communication products into industrial monitoring suggests the company is applying existing engineering capabilities to infrastructure sensing. - The company says broader demand for integrated communication and monitoring tools is driving the expansion. - Long-range, fiber-based monitoring can reduce the need for powered devices in hard-to-access environments, which may lower maintenance complexity.

What’s next: - BICOM says it will continue strengthening its technology base while pursuing international market opportunities. - The company is likely to keep positioning DTMS for energy, utility and industrial customers that need continuous thermal monitoring.

The bottom line: - BICOM is turning standard optical fiber into a long-distance temperature sensor built for critical infrastructure monitoring.