In this project, we tested seven different DAS systems on the same buried cable at a farm site in Reno, Nevada. We generated vibrations using a sledgehammer and a vibrating truck to compare how each system recorded the same events. The cable was buried in different soils, such as sand and native dirt, to see how installation affects performance.

Our early findings show that the type of instrument and how it is set up—such as how far apart the virtual sensors are placed—can change the quality of the data. This study helps researchers understand how to choose and use DAS systems more effectively.