Method and system for transmission of seismic data

• US 20090225629A1
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magseis FF, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ray, Clifford H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,228,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/77
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/22 Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/223 Radioseismic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

The transmission system combines a self-contained, wireless seismic acquisition unit and a wireless, line of site, communications unit to form a plurality of individual short-range transmission networks and also a mid-range, line of sight transmission network. Each seismic unit has a power source, a short-range transmitter/receiver disposed within a casing and a geophone disposed within the casing. Each wireless communications unit is formed of an elongated support structure on which is mounted an independent power source, mid-range radio transmitter/receiver; and a short-range transmitter/receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range transmitter/receiver of the acquisition unit. Preferably, when deployed, the acquisition unit is buried under the surface of the ground, while the wireless communications unit is positioned in the near vicinity of the buried unit so as to vertically protrude above the ground. The acquisition unit and the wireless communications unit communicate by short-range transmissions, while the wireless communications unit communicates with other seismic acquisition systems using mid-range radio transmission. When multiple seismic acquisition unit/wireless communications units are deployed in an array, the system can pass collected seismic and quality control data in relay fashion back to a control station and/or pass timing and control signals out to the array.

Claims

17. A transmission method for seismic data acquisition units, said method comprising the steps of:

A. Providing a self-contained wireless seismic acquisition unit, said unit comprising a casing;

a power source for said unit;

a transceiver with short-range transmission capabilities disposed within said casing; and

a geophone;

B. Providing a wireless transmission communications unit comprising an elongated support structure having a first end and a second end;

a power source for said communications unit;

a transceiver with short-range transmission capabilities mounted on said support structure and configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range transceiver within said casing; and

a radio transceiver with mid-range transmission capabilities mounted on said support structure;

C. Deploying said self-contained wireless seismic acquisition unit at a desired location in contact with the ground;

D. Deploying said communications unit adjacent to said seismic acquisition unit;

E. Wirelessly coupling said seismic acquisition unit and said communications unit to create a short-range transmission network therebetween;

F. Receiving a control signal over a mid-range radio network utilizing said mid-range radio transceiver mounted on said support structure; and

G. Transmitting the control signal between said communications unit and said seismic unit utilizing said short-range transmission network.

1. A transmission system for seismic data acquisition units, said system comprising:

A. a self-contained wireless seismic acquisition unit, said unit comprising

(1) a casing;

(2) a power source for said unit;

(3) a short-range receiver disposed within said casing; and

(4) a geophone disposed within said casing; and

B. a communications unit wirelessly coupled to said acquisition unit, said communications unit comprising;

(1) an elongated support structure having a first end and a second end;

(2) a power source for said communications unit separate from the power source for said seismic unit;

(3) a short-range transmitter mounted on said support structure and configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range receiver within said casing;

(5) a mid-range radio transmitter mounted on said support structure; and

(6) a mid-range radio receiver mounted on said support structure.

2. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said elongated support structure is a pole having a first end and a second end, wherein said pole is provided at the first end with a base for engaging the earth and at the second end is mounted said mid-range radio transmitter and receiver.

3. The transmission system of claim 2, wherein said base is a spike.

4. The transmission system of claim 2, wherein said base is an auger.

5. The transmission system of claim 2, wherein said base is a screw.

6. The transmission system of claim 2, wherein said base is a shaft, said system further comprising a support sleeve disposed to be secured in the ground, said support sleeve disposed for receipt of said shaft.

7. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said short-range wireless transmitter and receiver are IEEE 1902.1 transmitters and receivers.

8. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said short-range wireless transmitter and receiver are IEEE 802.15.4 transmitters and receivers.

9. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein each short-range wireless receiver is a transceiver.

10. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said short-range wireless transmitters and receivers operate on a 2.4 GHz short-range radio frequency band.

11. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said short-range wireless transmitters and receivers are Wi-Fi transmitters and receivers.

12. The transmission system of claim 1, further composing a plurality of self-contained wireless seismic acquisition units and a plurality of communications units, wherein each acquisition unit has its own communications unit wirelessly coupled thereto.

13. The transmission system of claim 12, wherein said plurality of self-contained wireless seismic acquisition units are spaced apart from one another to form an array and each communications unit is positioned within 1 meter of its associated acquisition unit.

14. The transmission system of claim 13, wherein a plurality of said self-contained wireless seismic acquisition units are buried in the ground and each communications unit is secured to the ground within 1 meter of its associated acquisition unit.

15. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said mid-range wireless radio transmitters and receivers operate on a radio frequency in the approximate range of 5.0-5.1 GHz.

16. The transmission system of claim 1, further comprising:

(1) a local clock disposed within said casing;

(2) local memory disposed within said casing;

(3) a processor disposed within said casing; and

(4) an A/D converter.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

repeating steps A-F for at least three spaced apart seismic acquisition units and associated communications units deployed in an array, wherein each of said communications units is capable of receiving a mid-range radio transmission and transmitting a mid-range radio transmission;

providing a transmission station for communicating via a mid-range radio transmission with at least one communications unit within said array;

subsequent to deployment, identifying at least two separate transmission paths between the transmission station and a communications unit, wherein a transmission path is defined as a chain of at least two communications units and the transmission station, each capable of communicating in series via mid-range radio transmission;

selecting a transmission path from among the identified transmission paths based on a set of transmission path criteria; and

transmitting a mid-range radio signal along said selected transmission path.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

repeating steps A-F for a plurality of spaced apart seismic acquisition units and associated wireless communications units deployed in an array, wherein each of said wireless communications units is capable of receiving a mid-range radio transmission and transmitting a mid-range radio transmission and wherein each of said seismic acquisition units is capable of acquiring seismic data;

utilizing at least two of said wireless communications units to transmit a control signal via mid-range radio transmission to another communications unit in the array;

utilizing at least two of said wireless communications units to receive a control signal via mid-range radio transmission from another wireless communications unit in the array;

partitioning said plurality of wireless communications units and associated seismic acquisition units into at least two sub-sets of units; and

using a mid-range radio transmission technique having parameters set so that non-interfering radio transmission may be effected in each sub-set.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of deploying said self-contained wireless seismic acquisition unit comprises at least partially burying said seismic acquisition unit in the ground.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of deploying said self-contained wireless seismic acquisition unit comprises burying said seismic acquisition unit in the ground below the surface of the ground.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of deploying said communications unit adjacent to said seismic acquisition unit comprises the step of engaging the first end of said elongated support structure with the ground such that said support structure projects up from the ground.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of deploying said communications unit adjacent to said seismic acquisition unit comprises the step of engaging the first end of said elongated support structure with the ground and orienting said support structure to be substantially vertical relative to the ground.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of transmitting a first signal along one transmission path and transmitting a second signal along the other transmission path.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein said control signal is a timing signal, said method further comprising the steps of utilizing said control signal transmitted to the seismic unit to discipline a local clock of said seismic unit based on a master control clock.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein said control signal is a timing signal, said method further comprising the steps of utilizing said control signal transmitted to the seismic unit to time stamp seismic data acquired by said seismic unit.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the radio transceiver with mid-range transmission capability also has short-range transmission capability.

28. The method of claim 27, said method further comprising the step of toggling the transceiver between in mid-range transmission capability and short-range transmission capability.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein at least two wireless communication units fall within the mid-range radio transmission range of another wireless communication unit.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein at least two seismic acquisition units fall within the short-range transmission range of a wireless communication unit.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the radio transmission range of at least one of the wireless communication units is omnidirectional.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the radio transmission range of at least one of the wireless communication units is unidirectional.

33. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

repeating steps A-F for a plurality of spaced apart seismic acquisition units and associated communications units deployed in an array, wherein each of said communications units is capable of receiving a mid-range radio transmission and transmitting a mid-range radio transmission;

subsequent to deployment, identifying at least two separate transmission paths from a first point to a second point in the array from among the plurality of wireless communications units, wherein a transmission path is defined as a chain of at least three communications units, each capable of communicating in series via mid-range radio transmission;

selecting a transmission path from among the identified transmission paths based on a set of transmission path criteria; and

transmitting a mid-range radio signal along said selected transmission path.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said transmission chains include each wireless communication unit in the array.

35. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of adjusting the transmission range of a wireless communication unit so as to alter the number of other wireless communication units within radio transmission range of the adjusted wireless communication unit.

36. The method of claim 18, wherein said transmission station is within mid-range radio range of at least two wireless communication units.

37. The method of claim 18, wherein said transmission station is within mid-range radio range of at least three wireless communication units.

38. The method of claim 18, wherein a transmission station receives seismic data from said seismic acquisition units and said seismic data is transmitted over the same transmission chain utilized to transmit control signals to said seismic acquisition units from the transmission station.

39. The method of claim 18, wherein a transmission station receives seismic data from said seismic acquisition units and said seismic data is transmitted over a different transmission chain than that utilized to transmit control signals to said seismic acquisition units from the transmission station.

40. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmissions between said seismic acquisition units and the transmission station are made utilizing different transmission chains.

41. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of transmitting quality control data from a seismic acquisition unit to its associated wireless communication unit over the short-range network established therebetween and subsequently transmitting said quality control data from the wireless communication unit to another wireless communication unit over the mid-range network established between a plurality of wireless communication units in the array.

42. The method of claim 18, wherein said transmission path is preset among the wireless communication units.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein a second alternate transmission path is preset among the wireless communication units.

44. The method of claim 18, wherein multiple transmission paths are identified.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of selecting a transmission path among the multiple transmission paths prior to transmitting.

46. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of determining the number of other wireless communication units within mid-range transmission range of a wireless communication unit.

47. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of determining the signal strength for other wireless communication units within transmission range of a wireless communication unit.

48. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of generating a beacon signal and transmitting the beacon signal along the transmission path.

49. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of verifying the transmission path by generating a beacon signal.

50. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of utilizing said beacon signal to establish a synchronized recording time among the seismic acquisition units.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of simultaneously initiating recording of seismic data by said seismic acquisition units.

52. The method of claim 38, wherein seismic data transmitted from a seismic acquisition unit is time stamped prior to transmission.

59. The method of claim 17, wherein said short-range transmission network utilizes IEEE 1902.1 protocol.

60. The method of claim 17, wherein said short-range transmission network operates in the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band.

61. A transmission system for a seismic data acquisition array, said system comprising:

A. a plurality of seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) a power source for said unit;

(2) a first transceiver disposed within said casing, wherein said first transceiver is an IEEE 1902.1 transceiver; and

(3) at least one geophone; and

B. a plurality of communication units, each communication unit comprising;

(1) a support structure decoupled from said acquisition unit;

(2) a power source for said communications unit;

(3) a second transceiver mounted on said support structure, wherein said second transceiver is an IEEE 1902.1 transceiver,

(4) wherein each communication unit is wirelessly coupled to at least one acquisition unit via the first and second transceivers.

62. The transmission system of claim 60, wherein each communication unit is wirelessly coupled to a multiplicity of seismic acquisition units.

65. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of disciplining is repeated on a period basis as the seismic unit is acquiring seismic data.

66. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of time stamping is repeated on a period basis as the seismic unit is acquiring seismic data.

53. A method for transmission of control signals among an array of seismic data acquisition units, said method comprising the steps of:

A. Establishing a plurality of short-range transmission networks within a seismic data acquisition unit array, wherein each short-range transmission network is comprised of a self-contained wireless seismic acquisition unit having a casing;

a power source for said unit;

a short-range radio transmission transceiver disposed within said casing; and

a geophone disposed within said casing and a wireless communication unit positioned in close proximity to said seismic data acquisition unit, said wireless communication unit having an elongated support structure;

a power source for said communications unit separate from said acquisition unit;

a radio transceiver mounted on said support structure and configured in a first state to wirelessly communicate with the short-range radio transceiver within said casing;

said transceiver further configured in a second state to transmit and receive mid-range radio transmissions;

B. Transmitting a timing signal between a plurality of mid-range radio transceivers each mounted on a support structure via a mid-range radio network; and

C. Transmitting the timing signal to a seismic unit from a wireless communication unit via the short-range transmission network.

54. A transmission system for a seismic data acquisition array, said system comprising:

A. a plurality of self-contained wireless seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) a casing;

(2) a power source for said unit;

(3) a short-range radio transceiver disposed within said casing; and

(4) a geophone disposed within said casing; and

B. a plurality of communication units, each communication unit wirelessly coupled to an acquisition unit, each communication unit comprising;

(1) an elongated support structure having a first end and a second end;

(2) a power source for said communications unit separate from the power source for said seismic unit;

(3) a transceiver mounted on said support structure, said transceiver having short-range radio transmission capability so as to form a short-range radio transmission network with a seismic acquisition unit.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein each communication unit further comprises a second transceiver mounted on said support structure, said second transceiver having mid-range radio transmission capability so as to form a mid-range radio transmission network with other wireless communications units.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the transceiver of each communications unit has at least two power settings, namely a first power setting configurable to wirelessly communicate with the short-range radio transceiver within said casing;

and a second, higher power setting configurable to permit the transceiver to wirelessly communicate with other line-of-sight mid-range transceivers.

57. A transmission system for a seismic data acquisition array, said system comprising:

A. a plurality of self-contained wireless seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) a casing;

(2) a power source for said unit;

(3) a short-range transceiver disposed within said casing; and

(4) a geophone disposed within said casing; and

B. a plurality of communication units, each communication unit wirelessly coupled to an acquisition unit, each communication unit comprising;

(1) an elongated support structure having a first end and a second end;

(2) a power source for said communications unit separate from the power source for said seismic unit;

(3) a second transceiver mounted on said support structure, said second transceiver having at least two power settings, namely a first power setting configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range transceiver within said casing; and

a mid-range power setting capable of transmitting to other line-of-sight mid-range transceivers.

58. The transmission system of claim 57, wherein the short-range transceiver is an IEEE 1902.1 transceiver.

61-1. The transmission system of claim 60, further comprising a mid-range radio transceiver mounted on said support structure.

63. A transmission method for seismic data acquisition units, said method comprising the steps of:

A. Deploying a plurality of seismic acquisition unit;

B. Deploying a plurality of wireless transmission communication units;

C. Establishing a wireless magnetic transmission network between a communication unit and an acquisition unit utilizing Long Wave (LW) magnetic signals; and

D. Establishing a wireless radio transmission network between at least two communication units utilizing radio signals.

64. A method of claim 63, further comprising the steps of

A. Utilizing a communication unit to receive a timing signal over a radio transmission network;

and

B. Transmitting the received timing signal over the magnetic transmission network to a seismic acquisition unit.

67. A timing signal system for a seismic data acquisition array, said system comprising:

A. a plurality of seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) a power source for said unit;

(2) a receiver disposed within said casing, wherein said receiver is an IEEE 1902.1 receiver; and

(3) at least one geophone; and

B. a plurality of communication units, each communication unit comprising;

(1) a support structure decoupled from said acquisition unit;

(2) a power source for said communications unit;

(3) a transmitter mounted on said support structure, wherein said transmitter is an IEEE 1902.1 transmitter; and

(4) a GPS receiver mounted on said support structure,

(4) wherein each communication unit is wirelessly coupled to at least one acquisition unit via the transmitter and receiver.

68. A timing signal conditioning method for seismic data acquisition units, said method comprising the steps of:

A. Deploying a plurality of seismic acquisition unit;

B. Deploying a plurality of wireless transmission communication units;

C. Establishing a wireless magnetic transmission network between a communication unit and an acquisition unit utilizing Long Wave (LW) magnetic signals;

D. Utilizing a wireless transmission communication unit to receive a timing signal from a GPS satellite; and

E. Transmitting said GPS timing signal to a seismic acquisition unit utilizing said wireless magnetic transmission network.