Method for transmission of seismic data

• US 8,296,068 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magseis FF, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ray, Clifford H., Fisseler, Glenn D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Toan M
• Application Number:
  US13/035,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20110149686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 702/14, 702 1- 2, 702/5, 702 15- 16, 702/75, 702/81, 702/84, 702/103, 702/106, 702/127, 702188-189, 367/6, 367/14, 367/21, 367/37, 367/49, 367/56, 367/58, 367/73, 367 76- 77, 367/80, 367/117, 324/323, 324347-350, 455437-438, 455/443, 455445-448, 4554561-4566
• US Class Current: 702/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/00 Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/003 Seismic data acquisition in general, e.g. survey design G01V1/3808, G01V1/42 take precedence
• 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: G01V 1/226 Optoseismic systems

Abstract

The transmission method utilizes multiple seismic acquisition units within an array as intermediate short range radio receivers/transmitters to pass collected seismic data in relay fashion back to a control station. Any one seismic unit in the array is capable of transmitting radio signals to several other seismic units positioned within radio range of the transmitting unit, thus allowing the system to select an optimal transmission path. Utilizing an array of seismic units permits transmission routes back to a control station to be varied as needed. In transmissions from the most remote seismic unit to the control station, each unit within a string receives seismic data from other units and transmits the received seismic data along with the receiving unit'"'"'s locally stored seismic data. Preferably, as a transmission is passed along a chain, it is bounced between seismic units so as to be relayed by each unit in the array.

Claims

1. A method for seismic data transmission comprising the steps of:

A. providing a plurality of seismic acquisition units, wherein each of the seismic acquisition units is capable of acquiring seismic data, receiving a short range radio transmission and transmitting a short range radio transmission;

B. utilizing a first seismic acquisition unit to acquire seismic data and transmit seismic data along first transmission path using a first set of transmission parameters, wherein the first transmission path comprises a first subset of at least two of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units;

C. utilizing a second seismic acquisition unit to acquire seismic data and transmit seismic data along a second transmission path using a second set of transmission parameters, wherein the second transmission path comprises a second subset of at least two of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units, wherein the second set of transmission parameters are different from the first set of transmission parameters;

D. wherein the first set of transmission parameters and the second set of transmission parameters are selected to be non-interfering with one another.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f1, and the second set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f2, such that f1 and f2 are different and non-interfering.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of utilizing a first plurality of the seismic acquisition units along the first transmission path to transmit seismic data via short range radio transmission while simultaneously utilizing a second plurality of the seismic acquisition units along the second transmission path to transmit seismic data via short range radio transmission.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f1, and the second set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f2, such that f1 and f2 are different and non-interfering.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range radio transmissions from at least two other seismic acquisition units.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range radio transmissions from at least two other seismic acquisition units.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range radio transmissions from at least three other seismic acquisition units.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transmission path and the second transmission path are different.

9. A method for seismic data transmission comprising the steps of:

A. utilizing at least two seismic acquisition units having a first set of short range radio transmission parameters to transmit and receive seismic data along a first transmission path;

B. utilizing at least two seismic acquisition units having a second set of short range radio transmission parameters to transmit and receive seismic data along a second transmission path;

C. wherein the first set of transmission parameters and the second set of transmission parameters are non-interfering with one another.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f1, and the second set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f2, such that f1 and f2 are different and non-interfering.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein transmission using the first set of transmission parameters is simultaneous with transmission using the second set of transmission parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f1, and the second set of transmission parameters includes a transmission frequency, f2, such that f1 and f2 are different and non-interfering.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range radio transmissions from at least two other seismic acquisition units.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein each seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range radio transmissions from at least two other seismic acquisition units.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein each seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range radio transmissions from at least three other seismic acquisition units.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the first transmission path and the second transmission path are different.