Improved time synchronization in downtown tools

Description

1 / 45 IMPROVING TIME SYNCHRONIZATION IN DOWN-WELL TOOLS CROSS-REFERENCE ON RELATED REQUEST

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 721,062, entitled IMPROVING TIME SYNCHRONIZATION ACROSS DOWNHOLE TOOLS, filed November 15, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FUNDAMENTALS

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for synchronizing downhole drilling tools that have separate clocks. More specifically, this disclosure provides improved methodologies for synchronizing downhole tools.

[0003] Generally, downhole tools obtain (e.g., generate, acquire) and / or store data associated with the formation, wellbore properties, equipment integrity, and / or any other suitable data associated with subsurface conditions or the downhole tools themselves. Downhole tools may include a central memory to store data associated with the formation, wellbore properties, and / or equipment integrity. However, it can be difficult to ensure that the acquired datasets from each downhole tool are synchronized with each other, given that each tool may refer to its own separate clock. As such, it may be desirable to improve time synchronization techniques for downhole tools.

[0004] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technique that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure that are described and / or claimed below. It is believed that this discussion will be useful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Consequently, it may be understood that these statements will be read in this light, and not as Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, p. 9 / 60 2 / 45 admissions of technical status. SUMMARY

[0005] A summary of certain modalities disclosed in this document is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain modalities and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In fact, the disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method may include sending a first message to an additional processing circuit, the first message including a first time associated with a transmission of a second message from the processing circuit to the additional processing circuit, and sending the second message to the additional processing circuit at the first time. The method may involve determining a second time associated with a receipt of a return message associated with the second message and a first return timing delay based on the first time and the second time. The method may involve receiving a third message from the second control circuit, the third message having a third time associated with a transmission of a fourth message from the additional processing circuit to the processing circuit.The method can determine a fourth time associated with receiving the fourth message, the fourth message including a fifth time associated with transmitting the third message. The method can receive a second return timing delay associated with the additional processing circuit and determine an absolute time synchronization delay based on the different times: first time, second time, third time, fourth time, fifth time, first return timing delay, and second return timing delay. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 10 / 60 3 / 45 disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures, in which similar characters represent similar parts in all figures, where:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a drilling system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data acquisition system communicating with a plurality of tools, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a communication flow diagram between tools that coordinate synchronization operations, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a time and delay diagram that illustrates calculated times and delays associated with synchronization times between two tools, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 5 is an exemplary circuit diagram for filtering timing signals from being received by tools to account for asymmetrical channel delays, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 6 is an additional exemplary circuit diagram for filtering timing signals from being received by tools to account for asymmetrical channel delays, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 7 is an additional exemplary circuit diagram for filtering timing signals from being received by tools to account for asymmetrical channel delays, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Certain proportionate aspects within the scope of this disclosure are summarized below. These aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather, these aspects are Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 11 / 60 Section 4 / 45 is intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed forms. In fact, this disclosure may cover a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the forms set forth below.

[0016] As used in this document, the term coupled or coupled to may indicate establishing a direct or indirect connection (for example, where the connection may not include or may include intermediate or intervening components between those coupled) and is not limited to any one unless expressly referenced as such. The term set may refer to one or more items. Whenever possible, equal or identical reference numerals are used in the figures to identify common or equal elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown to an exaggerated scale for clarification purposes.

[0017] As used in this document, the terms inside and outside; above and below; top and bottom; up and down; above and below; inside and outside; and other similar terms, as used in this document, refer to positions relative to each other and are not intended to denote a particular spatial direction or orientation. The terms couple, coupled, connect, connection, connected, in connection with, and connecting refer to being in direct connection with or in connection with through one or more intermediate elements or members.

[0018] Furthermore, when presenting elements of various forms of this disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there is one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements that are not the elements listed. Furthermore, it should be understood that references to "a form," "the form," or "some forms" of this disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional forms that also incorporate the Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, p. 12 / 60 5 / 45 resources cited. Furthermore, the phrase "A based on B" is intended to mean that A is at least partially based on B. Additionally, unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "or" is intended to be inclusive (e.g., logical OR) and not exclusive (e.g., logical XOR). In other words, the phrase "A or B" is intended to mean A, B, or both A and B.

[0019] Downhole tools can obtain (e.g., generate, acquire) and / or store data associated with formation, wellbore properties, equipment integrity, and / or any other suitable data associated with subsurface conditions or downhole tools. Downhole tools can store the data in a single central memory or in multiple memory storage locations. However, data acquired from different downhole tools can be obtained and synchronized with other downhole tools, a central computing system, a cloud computing system, or similar systems.

[0020] With this in mind, many downhole drilling tools employ separate clocks, and the data acquired from each can be processed to ensure that the datasets are precisely synchronized with each other, so that the operations of the respective tools are coordinated to operate properly with each other. For example, performing seismic survey techniques in a subsurface area of ​​the resistivity receiver that is particularly sensitive to changes in electrical resistivity may result in inaccurate measurements due to the various time shifts and clock discrepancies associated with a subsurface region of the corresponding transmitter. As such, the present embodiments include methods to assist in aligning received resistivity measurements with those of the resistivity signal transmission from a corresponding transmitter.Furthermore, this method can also correct the resistivity measurement phase to synchronize it with other received signals. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 13 / 60 6 / 45

[0021] To achieve these time synchronization goals, a time synchronization system can determine a time offset and clock discrepancy for each of the devices providing data. In some cases, the time synchronization system may employ a leader tool (A) to transmit a timing synchronization signal at a specific clock time according to a leader clock associated with the leader tool. In turn, a follower tool (B) (e.g., dependent on the leader tool) may acquire and determine a signal reception time according to its local or follower clock time. The time synchronization system can then determine a time offset due to clock discrepancies between each clock by comparing a difference between the leader transmission time of the timing signal and the follower reception time.In other words, clock discrepancy can be obtained by measuring the elapsed time differences between the timing signal sent by the leader and the reception of the timing signals, which can be provided as synchronization events.

[0022] The device synchronization scheme mentioned above assumes that the times at which the leader tool transmits the timing signal and the follower tool receives the timing signal are the same or occur simultaneously. However, this scheme ignores a latency timing delay associated with the delay between the timing signal being transmitted from the leader tool and being received by the follower tool. While certain applications may be able to tolerate this timing delay when the timing delay is less than some threshold or remains constant for multiple transmissions, other applications may produce incorrect analytical results due to the unaccounted-for latency timing delay being considered or accurately measured and compensated for in the synchronization measurements.Furthermore, in some modes, the timing signal sent by the lead tool may be a tone signal that can be correlated with a signal of... Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 14 / 60 7 / 45 reference in an integer multiple of its signal period. As a result, the follower tool may receive the timing signal at a phase shift (e.g., phase band problem) which can occur due to differences between the phases of the tone signal and the reference signal, noise embedded in the tone signal, and the like. As such, the time synchronization system can benefit from implementing synchronization techniques that ensure that the time is synchronized for multiple devices in an absolute time manner.

[0023] Bearing this in mind, in some embodiments, the time synchronization system may perform an absolute time synchronization technique by measuring a timing signal dispatch delay from the transmission of one tool (e.g., lead tool) to the reception of the other tool (e.g., follower tool) using a two-way tool communication and timing signal synchronization.

[0024] The time offset between the two tools can then be used to synchronize the times each tool records events and datasets to ensure that other applications can accurately perform their analytical operations accordingly. Furthermore, by ensuring that the times recorded by separate devices are accurately synchronized with each other, the present embodiments better equip various processing and computing devices to more accurately account for different system and equipment delays. Further details regarding the embodiments described above will be discussed below.

[0025] By way of introduction, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a drilling system 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The drilling system 10 may include a downhole system 11. The downhole system 11 may include a drill string 12 and a drill bit assembly 14. The drill string 12 may be suspended within a well 16, which is formed within formations of Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 15 / 60 8 / 45 subsurface through a rotary drilling process (e.g., advancing the drill bit assembly 14 to a surface). Furthermore, the drill string 12 may include a downhole assembly 18 (e.g., downhole assembly), which includes the drill bit assembly 14 at a lower end (e.g., bottom end) of the downhole assembly 18. The downhole assembly 18 may include one or more downhole tools 20 (e.g., a first tool 20A, a second tool 20B, a third tool 20C). It should be noted that although FIG. 1 represents a vertical well, the present embodiments may be employed in any other suitable environment, such as a horizontal well.It should also be noted that while the first tool 20A, the second tool 20B, and the third tool 20C are described in this document, the downhole assembly 18 may include any number of suitable downhole tools.

[0026] By way of example, the first tool 20A, the second tool 20B and the third tool 20C may each include their respective tool control circuits. Each of the tool control circuits may employ a communication technology (e.g., Ethernet) to enable communication between the first tool 20A, the second tool 20B, the third tool 20C and / or a data acquisition system 40. For example, the first tool 20A may initiate a communication process (through its respective tool control circuits) with the second tool 20B by sending a series of data packets to the second tool 20B using a communication stack.Furthermore, the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B can communicate via network layer protocols that provide unique identifiers (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) addresses) in Ethernet packet headers, such as Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). As another example, the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B can communicate using... Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 16 / 60 9 / 45 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is used to allow a specific number of data packets to be sent in a particular order (e.g., without loss or duplication). The second tool, 20B, can then receive the number of data packets (via its respective tool control circuits).

[0027] In some embodiments, the Ethernet network may operate based on various standards established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). As an example, Ethernet technology may employ the IEEE 802.3 standard, which defines protocols and / or specifications for physical and / or data link layers of a network to manage how devices share a communication medium (e.g., twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable). As another example, Ethernet technology may communicate via a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA / CD) MAC protocol, which includes duplex operation (e.g., shared medium) or full-duplex operation.Furthermore, Ethernet network operations performed between the 20 downhole tools may involve the use of Ethernet technology to create local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs) between the 20 downhole tools through practices, protocols, and hardware used to establish communication between devices within a network using Ethernet technology.

[0028] The first tool 20A, the second tool 20B, and the third tool 20C may include any tool suitable for carrying out hydrocarbon exploration and production operations. For example, tools 20 may include drilling tools that can cut rock formations, completion tools that can be used to provide structural integrity (e.g., casing, tubing, packers) to a wellbore, intervention tools (e.g., wire rope tools, spiral tubing tools) to carry out certain wire rope operations (e.g., logging, perforating), production enhancement tools (e.g., downhole sensors), and Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 17 / 60 10 / 45 similar. Each of the 20 tools can perform certain tasks related to data collection or carrying out physical operations inside the well.

[0029] On a surface, the drilling system 10 may include a platform and crane assembly, which may be positioned over the well 16. In addition, the downhole system may include a rotary table 22, a kelly 24, a hook 26 and / or an injector head 28. The drill string 12 may be rotated via the rotary table 22 (e.g., powered by any suitable means), which may engage the kelly 24 at an upper end of the drill string 12. In addition, the drill string 12 may be suspended by the hook 26, which may be attached to a kelly via the kelly 24 and the injector head 28. The kelly 24 and the injector head may allow rotation of the drill string 12 relative to the hook 26.

[0030] The drilling system 10 may also include drilling fluid 30 (e.g., mud) stored in a tank 32 formed at a well site. A pump 34 may distribute the drilling fluid 30 to an interior of the drill string 12 through one or more ports of the injector head 28. Thus, the drilling fluid may flow down through the drill string 12 (e.g., as indicated by a directional arrow 36). The drilling fluid 30 may exit the drill string 12 through one or more ports of the drill bit assembly 14 and circulate upwards through an annular region between an outside of the drill string 12 and a well wall 16 (e.g., as indicated by directional arrows 38). The drilling fluid 30 may lubricate the drill bit assembly 14 and carry formation cuttings to the surface while being returned to the tank 32 for recirculation.

[0031] In some embodiments, the downhole assembly 18 may include a metering-while-drilling (MWD) module, a logging-while-drilling (LWD) module and / or a rotary-steerable system and motor. The LWD module may be housed in a drill string control 12 and Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 18 / 60 11 / 45 includes one or more profiling tools, such as resistivity tools, density tools, acoustic tools, or any other suitable profiling tool. Thus, the LWD module can measure, process, and / or store data obtained by one or more profiling tools and / or communicate (e.g., transmit) the data to any suitable surface equipment.

[0032] The MWD module may also be housed in the drill string 12 drilling control and includes one or more devices for measuring characteristics (e.g., downhole parameters) of the drill string 12 and / or the drill bit assembly 14. In some embodiments, at least one of the downhole tools 20 may be the MWD module. In addition, in some embodiments, the MWD module may include a device for generating electrical power for the drilling system 10. For example, the device for generating electrical power may be a mud turbine generator powered by the flow of drilling fluid 30. It should be noted that any other suitable device for generating electrical power may be used for the drilling system 10.In addition, the MWD module may include one or more measuring devices, such as a drill weight measuring device, a shock measuring device, a stick-slip measuring device, a direction measuring device, a tilt measuring device and / or similar devices.

[0033] The drilling rig assembly 14 may include a rotary steerable sub (RSS) (e.g., a PowerDrive system). The RSS sub may include a chassis (e.g., pressure housing, pressure drum, cavity, casing), which may include one or more electrical components mounted and / or enclosed within the chassis. The electrical components may include Ethernet devices (e.g., Ethernet technology), a reservoir formation measurement component, electromagnetic (EM) transceiver equipment, one or more sensors, and the like. The chassis may provide rigidity to protect the electrical components from environmental conditions of Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 19 / 60 12 / 45 bottom hole, such as shock and / or vibration. Additionally or alternatively, the chassis may serve as a heat sink to extract heat from thermally active electronic components. Electrical components may be connected to one another via interconnects (e.g., printed electrical connections) which may allow the electrical components to transfer electrical signals and / or electrical power between the respective electrical components. It should be noted that any suitable number of electrical components may be employed by the chassis. The LWD module, the MWD module and / or the electrical components may obtain data and / or communicate data to a data acquisition system 40.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the drilling system 10 of FIG. 1 including the data acquisition system 40, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The data acquisition system 40 may include one or more processors 50 (referred to herein in the singular as a processor 50 for convenience), one or more storage devices 52 (referred to herein in the singular as a storage device 52 for convenience), a communication component 54 (e.g., communication circuits) and / or a network interface 56. The processor 50 may be any type of computer processor or microprocessor capable of executing computer executable code, such as a microcontroller, a processor module or subsystem, a programmable integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, a digital signal processor (DSP).Processor 50 may also include multiple processors, processing circuits, or a processing system that can perform the operations described in this document.

[0035] Storage 52 (e.g., storage media, memory) can be implemented as one or more computer-readable or machine-readable non-transient storage media. In certain embodiments, storage 52 is volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory (ROM). Storage Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 20 / 60 13 / 45 can store a variety of information and can be used for various purposes. For example, storage 52 can store processor-executable instructions, such as instructions to control the downhole tools 20 of the drill string 12 and / or any other suitable component associated with the drilling system 10. Storage 52 can also include flash memory, or any suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. Storage 52 can store data, instructions (e.g., software or firmware), and any other suitable information. In certain embodiments, storage 52 can also be located on the machine executing the machine-readable instructions, or it can be located at a remote location from which machine-readable instructions can be downloaded onto a network for execution.

[0036] The communication component 54 may include a wired or wireless communication component that facilitates communication between downhole tools 20, the data acquisition system 40, cloud storage 58, an external computing system 60, and / or various other computing systems. It should be noted that the communication component 54 may be a communication bus that allows communication access to multiple devices within the drilling system 10 after the drilling system 10 is extracted from the well. For example, the communication bus may allow any suitable device within the drilling system 10 to communicate with one or more of the downhole tools 20.In some embodiments, communication component 54 may include a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch (e.g., a network switch) that can provide data connection and / or power supply to any suitable device with Ethernet connectivity. The PoE switch may include one or more ports (e.g., Ethernet ports), where some ports may be capable of providing power, while other ports may function for data transmission. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, p. 21 / 60 14 / 45

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, communication component 54 may include antennas, transceiver circuits, signal processing hardware, software (e.g., hardware or software filters, A / D converters, multiplexer amplifiers) or a combination thereof, which may be configured to communicate via wired and / or wireless communication paths (e.g., a wired network, infrared (IR) wireless communication, satellite communication, broadcast radio, microwave radio, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-fi, UHF, NFC). In some embodiments, communication component 54 may include mud pulse telemetry to modulate a signal via pressure waves in a mud line. In other embodiments, communication component 54 may transmit electromagnetic waves through a surface.In yet another embodiment, communication component 54 may include wired drill pipes, which may include an embedded wire to provide an electrical connection through the drilling system 10.

[0038] In some embodiments, the data acquisition system 40 may include the network interface 56, which may allow the data acquisition system 40 to communicate with various downhole components and / or surface equipment of the drilling system 10 as discussed above. Additionally or alternatively, the network interface 56 may allow the data acquisition system 40 to communicate data to cloud storage 58 (or other wired and / or wireless communication network) to, for example, store the data, archive the data and / or allow the external computing system 60 to access the data and / or interact remotely with the data acquisition system 40.

[0039] As described in this document, the first tool 20A, the second tool 20B and / or the third tool 20C of drill string 12 can communicate via tool control circuits 62A, tool control circuits 62B and / or tool control circuits 62C using Ethernet network protocols while in the well. The first Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 22 / 60 Tool 15 / 45 20A may include tool control circuits 62A which include one or more processors 64A (referred to herein singularly as a processor 64A for convenience), one or more storage devices 66A (referred to herein singularly as a storage device 66A for convenience) and / or a communication component 68A. The processor 64A may be similar to and / or the same as processor 50. The storage device 66A may be the same as and / or similar to storage device 52. The communication component 68A may be the same as or similar to communication component 54. In fact, the communication component 68A may employ Ethernet communication.In some embodiments, the 62A tool control circuits can be included within the chassis, allowing the 62A tool control circuits (e.g., the 64A processor, the 66A storage and / or the 68A communication component) to be protected from environmental conditions (e.g., environmental factors) such as temperature, pressure, vibration, shock, electricity and the like. In this way, the chassis can provide protection for the 62A tool control circuits from environmental conditions.

[0040] The first 20A tool may also include one or more 70A sensors (e.g., downhole sensors) communicatively coupled to the 62A tool control circuits. The 70A sensors may include any suitable sensor capable of collecting data associated with subsurface conditions and / or well performance of the drilling system 10. In addition, the 70A sensors may be designed to withstand any suitable environment, such as a high-temperature environment, an extreme pressure environment, and the like. As an example, the 70A sensors may include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, flow sensors, acoustic sensors, density and composition sensors, tension and stress sensors, and the like. The 70A sensors may collect the data to allow operators to monitor and / or control downhole conditions in real time, improve production processes, and / or make decisions. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, p. 23 / 60 16 / 45 reported to increase reservoir recovery.

[0041] Sensors 70A can provide data to tool control circuits 62A for storage in storage 66A. For example, storage 66A may include local memory to store data collected by sensors 70A. Additionally, data can be transmitted, via communication component 68A, to the second tool 20B, the third tool 20C, and / or the data acquisition system 40 (e.g., when tools 20 are present on the surface) for storage elsewhere or for transmission to other devices. For example, tool control circuits 62A can be instructed (e.g., by data acquisition system 40) to transmit acquired data to the second tool 20B in response to damage detection to storage 66A (e.g., corrupted storage, within capacity limits).In some embodiments, the 62A tool control circuits can transmit data acquired through the 70A sensors directly to the second 20B and / or the third 20C tool via the network. In some embodiments, if the 66A storage of the first 20A tool is full, the 62A tool control circuits can transmit the data to the second 20B and / or the third 20C tool in real time. It should be noted that the 62B tool control circuits of the second 20B tool and the 62C tool control circuits of the third 20C tool may operate similarly and / or identically to the 62A tool control circuits of the first 20A tool.

[0042] Similarly to what is described above, the second tool 20B and the third tool 20C may include tool control circuits 62B / 62C which include one or more 64B / 64C processors (referred to herein singularly as a 64B / 64C processor for convenience), one or more 66B / 66C stores (referred to herein singularly as a 66B / 66C store for convenience), a 68B / 68C communication component and / or one or more Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 24 / 60 17 / 45 sensors 70B / 70C. Processor 64B and processor 64C may be similar and / or the same as processor 64A. Storage 66B and storage 66C may be the same and / or similar to storage 66A. Communication component 68B and communication component 68C may be the same or similar to communication component 68A. Furthermore, sensors 70B and sensors 70C may be similar and / or the same as sensors 70A.

[0043] Therefore, each of the respective tool control circuits 62 (e.g., 62A, 62B, and / or 62C) can acquire (e.g., receive) the data associated with subsurface conditions and / or well performance from their respective sensors 70 (e.g., 70A, 70B, and / or 70C). Furthermore, each of the respective tool control circuits 62 can communicate the data to a separate tool control circuit 62 (e.g., other tool control circuits 62) (e.g., and / or the data acquisition system 40 when extracted). Each of the respective tool control circuits 62 can be connected via a network (e.g., wired or wireless) to each other while positioned. In this way, the data acquisition system 40 can acquire data from each of the respective tool control circuits 62 simultaneously or at separate times.

[0044] In addition to the sensors 70, each tool 20A may include a reference clock 72 that can be used to measure timestamps or time samples corresponding to data acquired through the sensors 70, received from other devices (e.g., different tools 20) and the like. As mentioned above, each of the clocks 72 may not be synchronized with each other. As such, the data acquisition system 40 or other suitable device may coordinate time synchronization operations to determine the time discrepancies between the respective clocks 72.

[0045] In some embodiments, the tool control circuits Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 25 / 60 18 / 45 may also include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device 74. The ADC device 74 may include an electronic component or circuit that can convert analog signals (e.g., modulated, synchronized, continuous) into digital signals that can be interpreted by computing devices. The ADC device 74 may sample received signals according to the respective clocks 72 to indicate timestamps associated with different parts of the respective signal.

[0046] Bearing in mind the foregoing, FIG. 3 illustrates a timing flowchart of a method 90 for performing time synchronization techniques between two devices. By way of example, a procedure for performing a two-way communication between tools and a timing synchronization transmission / receive cycle between two different tools is described below. Although the following description of method 90 is discussed as being performed by the data acquisition system 40, the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B, it should be noted that the modalities described in this document should not be limited to the environment and components presented in FIGS. 1 and 2. In fact, the time synchronization techniques described below can be performed using any suitable computing system to synchronize time values ​​between any two suitable devices operating with their respective clocks.However, for the sake of discussion, the following description of method 90 will be detailed as being performed by data acquisition system 40, the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 3, the data acquisition system 40 may periodically initiate a time synchronization operation as described in this document or may be requested to perform the time synchronization operation in response to receiving user input requesting the operation. In some embodiments, the request to synchronize two or more tools 20 may include an indication of the tools 20 that should be synchronized. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 26 / 60 19 / 45

[0048] In any case, method 90 describes an exemplary embodiment in which two tools are synchronized according to the techniques described in this document. As such, in response to receiving a request to synchronize the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B, the data acquisition system 40 can send (92) a message (e.g., an inter-tool initialization message) to the first tool 20A, which can function as the lead tool to coordinate the time synchronization techniques. In some embodiments, the inter-tool initialization message may authorize the first tool 20A to use a particular communication bus (e.g., a toolbus) that is available between the two tools being synchronized.

[0049] After receiving the initialization message between tools, the first tool 20A can send (94) a direct inter-tool communication message that may include a predetermined time TAt (e.g., time according to the first tool clock 74A). The predetermined time TAt may correspond to a time at which the direct synchronization timing signal (e.g., timing signal) will be transmitted to the second tool 20B. In some embodiments, in addition to determining the time TAt, the first tool 20A may determine a time to turn on the ADC device 74A to capture or sample a return timing signal that the first tool 20A can send to an internal component, which can then immediately return it to the component of the first tool 20A that transmitted the return timing signal.

[0050] The timing return signal can be a signal that is used to determine the internal latency for communications between internal components. That is, for example, when the first tool 20A generates a timing signal synchronization, the same tool can also capture and demodulate the timing signal to the received time. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 27 / 60 20 / 45, which is generated after being returned by an internal hardware component. This return timing signal measurement is used to compensate for internal hardware transmission and reception delays of the first 20A tool so that the overall delay can be accurately measured.

[0051] After receiving the direct tool-to-tool communication message from the first tool 20A, the second tool 20B can determine a time to turn on the ADC device 74B of the second tool 20B to capture or sample the direct tool-to-tool communication message received from the first tool 20A. As such, the direct tool-to-tool communication message can serve as a startup message for the second tool 20B to initialize the additional ADC device to capture a subsequent timing signal sent from the first tool 20A.

[0052] Referring back to the first tool 20A, at the predetermined time TAt, the first tool 20A can transmit the direct synchronization timing signal to the second tool 20B via the communication bus. In some embodiments, the direct tool-to-tool communication message may include a timing signal (e.g., desired data, tone synchronization, synchronization signal, timing synchronization) which may be incorporated into a modulated carrier wave. The timing signal may include a signal, such as a sine wave, having some duration and amplitude. The resulting timing signal may correspond to the direct synchronization timing signal.The transmission of the direct synchronization timing signal by the first tool 20A and the reception of the direct synchronization timing signal by the second tool 20B can then be captured by the respective ADC 74 devices of the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B.

[0053] After detecting the direct synchronization timing signal using their respective ADC 74 devices, the first 20A tool and the Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 28 / 60 21 / 45 second tool 20B can demodulate the direct synchronization timing signal to determine a signal reception time according to the time reference of each respective tool (e.g., respective clock 72). As such, the first tool 20A can indicate that the direct synchronization timing signal is transmitted at time T'AtBr, while the second tool 20B can detect the reception of the direct synchronization timing signal at time T'AtBr. The second tool 20B can then generate its clock discrepancy measurement relative to the first tool 20A according to Equations 1-3. Kppb = (1 -< / r / / t) ) · 109í> V / ' / ^ <1) ^oYNC^ / where 'SYN C _R = SYN C _R-SYN C _(R - 1) (2) SYN C _T = SYN C _T - SYN C _(T - 1) (3)

[0054] After demodulating the forward timing signal, the first tool 20A can calculate a return timing signal delay DA, which can correspond to a time delay between the predetermined time in TAt that the first tool 20A can transmit the forward timing signal and a time in TAtAr that the forward timing signal is received after returning to the component of the first tool 20A that originated or transmitted the forward timing signal (e.g., DAI=TAtArTAt). That is, the first tool 20A <a) pode enviar o sinal de temporização sincronização direta (96) para um componente interno da primeira ferramenta 20a, modo que possa mesmo volta originador do dentro mesma 20a.Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, p. 29 / 60 22 / 45

[0055] Referring now back to the second tool 20B, after receiving and demodulating the forward timing signal, the second tool 20B can send (98) a reverse inter-tool initialization message to the first tool 20A, so that the reverse inter-tool initialization message can include timing measurements, as measured by the ADC device 74B of the second tool 20B. For example, the second tool 20B can detect a time T'AtBr in which the second tool 20B received the forward timing signal from the first tool 20A, a previously measured return delay DB to the second tool 20B, a reverse timing signal transmission time T'B and similar.Like the first tool 20A, after sending the reverse tool-to-tool initialization message to the first tool 20A, the second tool 20B can determine a time to turn on the respective ADC device 74B to sample the return timing signal corresponding to the reverse synchronization timing signal that the second tool 20B generated.

[0056] After receiving the reverse-synchronization initialization message from the second tool 20B, the first tool 20A can determine a time T'Bt to turn on its respective ADC device 74A to capture the reverse synchronization timing signal received from the second tool 20B. At the predetermined time T'Bt, the second tool 20B can transmit the reverse synchronization timing signal to the first tool 20A via the communication bus. In turn, the transmission and reception of the reverse synchronization timing signal can be captured by the second tool 20B and the first tool 20A, respectively.

[0057] After receiving the reverse timing signal and the return timing signal, the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B can demodulate the timing signal of Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 30 / 60 23 / 45 reverse synchronization to determine a respective signal reception time according to each respective clock 72. As such, the return timing signal can be received on the second tool 20B at time T'BtBr, and the reverse timing signal can be received on the first tool 20A at time TBtAr. The first tool 20A can then generate its clock discrepancy measurement relative to the second tool 20B using the method shown above with respect to Equations 1-3.

[0058] After demodulating the return timing signal, the second tool 20B can calculate its return timing signal delay DBl based on a difference between the time at T'BtBr that the return timing signal was received at the second tool 20B and the time at T'Bt that the second tool 20B transmitted the reverse timing signal to the first tool 20A (DBl = T'BtBr - T'Bt). The second tool 20B can send the return timing signal delay measurement DBl to the first tool 20A in a subsequent synchronization cycle. After receiving the measurements from the second tool 20B, the first tool 20A can calculate an absolute time synchronization signal dispatch delay DBtAr, which can correspond to a time offset with the second tool 20B.

[0059] Consequently, the absolute time synchronization timing signal dispatch delay DBtAr can be used by other applications or devices to synchronize measurements or datasets acquired by different tools or devices. It should be noted that if a user wishes to know the offset time of the second tool 20B with the first tool 20A, then the first tool 20A can include its previous synchronization measurements, such as TBtAr and DAl, in its inter-tool communication message sent to the second tool 20B discussed above.

[0060] In some modes, the data acquisition system 40 Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 31 / 60 24 / 45 can coordinate message transmission as described above to determine the absolute time synchronization timing signal dispatch delay DBtA and other delays as will be detailed below. Using these delays, the data acquisition system 40 can synchronize the data sets and time data received from the tools 20 to ensure they are in sync with each other to perform various operations. That is, the data acquisition system 40 can synchronize the data sets received from each tool 20 to determine operational adjustments (e.g., increase speed, adjust frequency) for the tools 20. In some embodiments, the tool control circuits 62 can perform the embodiments described in this document to synchronize their operations with another tool in the drill string 12.Although the preceding description of synchronization operations relates to tools 20 of drill string 12, it should be understood that the methods and techniques described in this document can be applied to any suitable clock synchronization operations.

[0061] With the precedent in mind, the timing signal dispatch delay from one tool to another can be divided into three types of delays. First, an internal transmission delay of the signal generation tool may include a delay from the time the source device starts transmitting until the time the signal appears on the communication bus. For example, transmission buffer delay is included in transmission delay.

[0062] The second type of delay may include a channel delay or the communication bus displacement delay from one tool to another. The third type of delay may include an internal receive delay of the signal receiving tool. That is, the delay from the moment the signal arrives at the tool until the moment the signal is received. For example, receive buffer delay, as well as hardware analog and digital filtering delays, are included in receive delay. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 32 / 60 25 / 45

[0063] With the precedent in mind, FIG. 4 illustrates a timing diagram representing the various time delays that may be involved with method 90. Using the clock time of the first clock 72A of the first tool 20A as a reference, the time at TBtArque the reverse synchronization timing signal is received can be characterized as: with TBtAr = TAt + DAtBr + DBrBt + DBtAr (4) DAtBr = DAt + DcAB + DBr (5) DBrBt = T'Bt — T'AtBr (6) DBtAr - = DBt + DcBA + DAr (7) in which: • TBtA is the time of receipt of the timing signal on the first tool 20A after being transmitted from the second tool 20B (on the time reference clock 72A); • T up to the timing signal transmission time (in clock time reference 72A); • DAtBré is the time delay for the transmission of the timing signal from the first tool 20A to the reception by the second tool 20B; • DBrBté is the time delay for the timing signal transmitted from the first tool 20A and received at the second tool 20B for the transmission of the timing signal from the second tool 20B; • DBtA is the time delay between the transmission of the timing signal from the second tool 20B to its reception by the first tool 20A; • Up to the transmission delay of the first tool is 20A; • DcAB is the channel time delay from the first tool 20A to the second tool 20B; Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 33 / 60 26 / 45 • DBré the delay in receiving the second tool 20B; • T'Bté is the transmission time of the timing signal for the 72B clock time reference; • T'AtBré is the time at which the timing signal is received on the second tool 20B after being transmitted from the first tool 20A (in the clock time reference 72B); • DBté is the transmission delay of the second tool 20B; • DcBA is the channel time delay from the second tool 20B to the first tool 20A; and • DA is the receiving delay from the first tool 20A.

[0064] Assuming that: Dcab = Dcba = Dc (8) Then, TBtAr = TAt+ DAt+Dc + DBr + DBrBt + Db< + Dc + DAr = TAt+ DAt+ DAr + DBt + DBr + DBrBt + 2Dc = TAt + Hence + DBl+ DBrBt + 2Dc (9) Where, • DAl= DAt+ DAr can be obtained by subtracting the timing signal firing time of the first 20A tool by its return signal reception time. DAl=DAt+DAr=TAtAr-TAt (10)

[0065] With TAtArs being the time to receive the return timing signal from the first tool 20A (in the time reference of the first clock 72A). • DBl = DBt + DBr can be obtained by subtracting the timing signal trigger time of the second tool 20B from its return signal reception time. DBl =DBt+ DBr =T'BtBr— T'bí(1 1 )

[0066] With T'BtBr being the signal reception time of Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 34 / 60 27 / 45 second tool return timing 20B (in the second clock time reference 72B). From Eq. (9) to Eq. (11), an expression for Dcinclui: lDc =(TlBtAr-TAt-DAl-DBl-DBrBt)_ [KAlBtAr^AtAr)-l(T'lBtBr-T'AtBr)]

[0067] Assuming further that DAt_ DBt_ Dt Eq. (5) then becomes DAtBr _ DBt+ Dbt+ Dc _ Db, + Dc Similarly, Eq. (7) becomes DBtAr _ DAt+ DAr + Dc _ Dai + Dc (12) (13) (14) (15) (16)

[0068] The time offset between the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B can be obtained as: OAB_(Τ' AtBr— DAtBr)— TAt = T'bí— (TBtAr— DBtAr)

[0069] The relationship between the system times of the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B can therefore be given by Tb_ía + 0ab(18) or tA_t'B-OAB(19)

[0070] With equations (18) and (19), any time of the system tAna time reference of the first clock 72A tA+ OAB is equivalent to the time reference of the second clock 72B and any time of the system t'Bna time reference of the second clock 72B is equivalent Tboab to the time reference of the first clock 72A.

[0071] In some forms, it is assumed that the first clock 72A Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, p. 35 / 60 28 / 45(1 - Kppb) (22) (23) and the second clock 72B have exactly the same frequency. However, since different clock crystals may have frequencies that vary with the environment, the data acquisition system 40 may normalize any received times with the second clock reference 72B relative to the first clock reference 72A. Therefore, the generic formulas for absolute time synchronization will be: DBin= T'BtBr- T'Bt) x(1- Kppb) (20) D_(BrBt_n) = ( ΚΤΛΊ _Bt - ΚΤΛ'Σ _ / UBr) DBtArn = DAl + D^ (24) dABn=T'bí— (TBtAr— DBtAr)(25) Where Kppbé is the clock discrepancy measured by the first tool 20A in relation to the second tool 20B and all measurements with subscripts n are indications that they are normalized in relation to the first reference clock 72 A.

[0072] As mentioned above, timing signals (e.g., single-tone timing synchronization signal) sent between tools can be a timing synchronization signal. In some cases, the single-tone timing synchronization signal may have a phase band problem, i.e., the input single-tone signal may correlate with its reference signal at integer multiples of its signal period. This problem can occur when the signal phase is close to 180 degrees or when there is more than a threshold amount of noise present in the input signal. To account for this phase band problem, a highly correlated broadband signal, such as a maximum-length encoded pseudo-random (PN) noise sequence, can be Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 36 / 60 29 / 45 is used as the synchronization timing signal according to the modalities described in this document. With this timing signal, the phase band problem can be avoided when white or tone noise is present on the communication bus and / or when the frequency response of the communication bus channel is irregular. The wideband timing signal can also be beneficial in areas of flat communication bus channel response. However, this type of wideband signal may be less accurate compared to the single-tone timing signal when the communication bus channel is irregular.

[0073] With this in mind, in some embodiments, a broadband / single-tone mixture of the timing signal can be introduced to solve the problems observed in both single-tone and broadband signals. By way of example, the mixture of these signals may include applying the broadband timing signal initially to lock onto the right phase band and then applying the single-tone signal for subsequent synchronizations for accuracy. In this way, the phase band elimination algorithm of the single-tone timing signal can be used to accurately determine the timing signal reception time after the phase band is known (e.g., obtained during the synchronizations of the broadband timing signal).

[0074] Based on the calculations described above, the data acquisition system 40 or any suitable device can synchronize the operations of any specific device, so that the operations are synchronized with different devices operating using different clocks. Furthermore, the data sets received from different devices can be synchronized, so that the analysis of the received data sets is performed accurately, with limited risk of unsynchronized time measurements.

[0075] By way of example, any suitable device can run Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 37 / 60 30 / 45 The operations described in this document are used to achieve absolute time synchronization between devices, such as downhole tools. In fact, the components that benefit from these time synchronization operations include a tool that supports a system clock timer management system, a tool that employs a timing signal transmission system, a tool that employs a timing signal reception system, a tool that supports return timing signal reception, a communication bus that serves as a synchronization medium, and the like.

[0076] By performing the techniques described in this document, devices can perform an absolute time synchronization operation between tools that includes a round-trip timing signal for transmission and reception of timing signals. In some embodiments, the timing signal transmission time can be sent from one tool to another via tool-to-tool communication and can also be modulated within the timing synchronization signal. The timing signal can be a single-tone synchronization, other encoded broadband signal synchronizations, and the like.

[0077] In some embodiments, the broadband signal can be used to avoid the phase band problem of the single-tone signal. In some embodiments, the broadband signal can be mixed with single-tone timing signals to balance accuracy and avoid phase banding. Alternatively, a statistical phase band elimination algorithm can be applied to avoid clock discrepancy banding to make the timing signal phase measurement consistent.

[0078] Furthermore, clock discrepancy measurement can be achieved by comparing the elapsed time difference of timing signal synchronizations between two timing tools, as discussed above. Additionally, timing signal dispatch delay can be performed through measurements. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 38 / 60 31 / 45 round-trip timing signal transmission / reception between synchronization tools, as well as timing signal return measurements from each of the synchronization tools. Timing signal return delay measurements can be used to quantify internal hardware transmission / reception delays, which provides compensation for the overall dispatch delay between synchronization tools.

[0079] Clock discrepancy measurement can be used to normalize timing signal dispatch delay measurement. Based on clock discrepancy normalization of timing signal dispatch delay, the timing signal dispatch delay can be more accurate.

[0080] The absolute time offset at the moment of synchronization between the synchronization tools can be obtained after the timing signal reception time and the timing signal dispatch delay are known. Furthermore, the time offset at any point between the synchronization tools can be obtained after the time offset at synchronization and the clock discrepancy between them are known.

[0081] After performing the operations described above, the time offset measured in the synchronization and the clock discrepancy between the synchronization tools can be used to perform timing corrections related to the synchronization of tool measurements, such as resistivity phase correction.

[0082] Timing signal synchronization / reception can be triggered through communication between tools authorized by the communication bus manager, or it can be done automatically by the synchronization tools if a multi-master communication bus is available. Timing signal synchronization / reception can be done in parallel. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 39 / 60 32 / 45 with communication via the communication bus. Timing signal synchronization / reception can be triggered through communication between tools authorized by the communication bus manager, or it can be done automatically by synchronization tools if the multi-master tool bus is available.

[0083] By performing the modalities described in this document, the present disclosure provides an improved method for achieving synchronization between tools. As illustrated above, each time a tool sends (e.g., triggers) a timing signal synchronization, the same signal will be acquired and demodulated by itself (e.g., feedback measurement, DAl) and by a second tool (e.g., D_AtBr) that can be synchronized with the first tool. In this way, feedback measurement can be used to cancel variations in hardware signal transmission delay and reception delay.

[0084] Furthermore, it should be understood in view of the modalities described above that synchronization between tools is achieved through inter-tool communication and timing signal synchronization. In fact, inter-tool communication serves to trigger the second tool involved in synchronization to sample the timing synchronization signal (e.g., optional, as timing signal acquisition can be continuous). In addition, inter-tool communication allows information such as timing signal synchronization time, demodulation results, and other intermediate synchronization measurements to be communicated between tools.

[0085] In some embodiments, communication between tools and timing signal synchronizations can be performed using the same communication bus (e.g., tool bus, media bus), separated with different communication buses (e.g., wired, wireless), and similarly. In any case, the synchronization measurements Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pages 40 / 60 33 / 45 between tools may include a clock discrepancy and a clock offset in the timing signal synchronization time between the two clocks associated with the two respective tools. After these two measurements are known, either tool can determine a local time for any of its own local time measurements.

[0086] When performing the embodiments described in this document, the synchronization method between tools can be executed dynamically in real time to accommodate or adjust clock discrepancy changes due to the environment (e.g., temperature) and the like. Furthermore, instead of adjusting one clock to match another clock, the present embodiments use the synchronization measurements between tools to align the operations of the two tools, as well as to correct the targeting measurements of either tool.

[0087] Although FIG. 3 illustrates a particular embodiment in which to perform method 90, it should be understood that the messages sent between the two tools can be sent in any suitable order. That is, there are many options regarding the sending of communications between tools / timing signal synchronizations when performing synchronizations between multiple tools, and the embodiments described in this document should not be limited to those presented in FIG. 3.

[0088] In some embodiments, each tool may include hardware components or structures to account for certain assumptions that may be part of the calculations described above. For example, assumptions may include that the return timing signal path is fully included in the normal timing signal transmission / reception path. In other words, there is no extra path beyond those used for normal signal transmission / reception. Another assumption may include that the transmission delay difference between the synchronization tools is small. Finally, a third assumption may include that the forward and backward channel delays are the same. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 41 / 60 34 / 45

[0089] The first and second assumptions can be realized within each tool. However, the third assumption can be carefully explained because there may be other tools on the communication bus, which can make the channel delay in different directions of the synchronization tools asymmetrical. To address this issue, the channel delay asymmetry can be determined dynamically in real time or the channel delay asymmetry can be avoided by the design of the synchronization system.

[0090] By way of example, in one embodiment, a symmetrical timing signal channel delay circuit can be implemented in the embodiments described in this document. That is, any suitable tools in the downhole assembly (whether involved in synchronization or not) can have an option to block the timing signal (e.g., implement a band stop or a low-pass filter, increase the tool bus inductance) while the timing signal is being transmitted (e.g., as a synchronization signal). In this embodiment, the frequency components of the timing signal being used to synchronize the tools can be filtered or blocked at certain frequencies within a frequency range including the frequency of the timing signal.While the timing signal burst is in progress, any tools not involved in synchronization in the downhole assembly can modify their respective circuit to block or filter the timing signal from being received. As such, the AC timing signal can be blocked or filtered, while maintaining the ability of the respective tool to receive DC power. When timing signal synchronization is not present, any tool in the downhole assembly can modify its respective circuit again to return to normal tool bus impedance operation.

[0091] With this in mind, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for filtering the timing signal to be received. As Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 42 / 60 35 / 45 shown in FIG. 5, tool 20A and tool 20B can be connected to other tools 20 via a tool bus 102. Each tool 20 can be connected (e.g., electrically) to a switch 104 and an inductor 106. The inductors 106 can be used to increase the inductance of the tool 20 to filter or block the timing signal from being received by the tool 20 when a synchronization process is being performed and when the respective tools 20 are not involved in the synchronization process. That is, tools 20 that are not part of a synchronization operation can leave their respective switches 104 open, thus incorporating the inductor 106 in series with the tool 20. As a result, the timing signal supplied to the data acquisition system 40 or other suitable device, as described above, can be filtered or removed before being received by the tool 20.As such, the 20 tools in the downhole assembly may have an option to lock the timing signal at a specific point in time.

[0092] To minimize the number of circuit components (e.g., switches, inductors) that may be employed to filter the timing signal for various tools, FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative circuit embodiment for the synchronization tools 20 to block the timing signal from entering the tools 20 when the respective tools 20 are not part of the synchronization tools. As shown in FIG. 6, a switch 108 and an inductor 110 can be coupled in series with tools 20 that may be outside the tools 20 that are expected to be synchronized. In this way, each tool 112 in addition to the synchronization tools 20 may not include additional circuits (e.g., switches and inductors) to filter the timing signal. In fact, the tools 12 can operate as desired without modifying any circuit during synchronization operations.In fact, switches 108 can be closed during normal operations to allow various signals to reach tools 112. However, if the timing signals are for synchronization. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 43 / 60 If 36 / 45 signals are being transmitted, switches 108 can be opened (e.g., by the control system) to filter or block the AC timing signal during synchronization operations.

[0093] To completely avoid blocking the timing signal of tools not involved in synchronization, FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment for implementing the symmetrical channel delay design. Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the tools 20 that may be part of the synchronization operations may be able to operate in two modes: (1) normal mode: normal toolbus communication mode; and (2) synchronization mode: low impedance (inductance) toolbus. The other tools 112 that are not expected to participate in the synchronization operations may only operate in normal toolbus communication mode.

[0094] Referring first to tools 112 that may not be part of the synchronization operations, these tools 112 may include an inductor 124 within their respective circuit that filters or blocks timing signals received from leading devices or tools. Similarly, tools 20 that may be part of the synchronization operations may also include the inductor 124. As such, the inductor 124 may be above a certain threshold inductance that may correspond to filtering or blocking timing signals from being received by the respective tool 20 or the respective tool 112.

[0095] With this in mind and referring to tools 20 of FIG. 7, these tools 20 may include an additional inductor 122 that can be placed in parallel with inductor 124 when operating in a synchronization mode. That is, to operate in synchronization mode, tool 20 may add the inductance of inductor 122 within its own circuit by means of a commutator, switching device (e.g., diode, thyristor) or similar, so that inductor 122 can be electrically coupled to Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 44 / 60 37 / 45 inductor 124 in parallel. By adding a parallel connection between inductor 122 and inductor 124, tool 20 can effectively reduce the total inductance of the receiving channel so that it becomes less than the threshold associated with inductor 124. As a result, timing signals may no longer be filtered or prevented from being received by tool 20.

[0096] With this in mind, when a synchronization process is underway, tools 20 can switch from normal mode to synchronization mode by adding inductor 122 in parallel with inductor 124 using any suitable method, system, or technique. However, the other tools 112 can only use the inductor, thus continuously blocking timing signals from being received. In this way, no adaptations are involved for the tools not involved in synchronization (tools 112), and instead, they can operate in only one mode, thus simplifying the respective circuit, minimizing the circuit components, and limiting the way in which tools 112 can operate.

[0097] Bearing in mind the precedent, the time delay associated with the signals being transmitted and received may not be synchronous in both directions. That is, the time delay associated with a timing synchronization signal being transmitted through tool 20A and being received through tool 20B and vice versa, may not be synchronous. In fact, as mentioned above, method 90 may assume that the transmission delay difference between the synchronization tools is small and that the forward and backward channel delays are the same.

[0098] To take these assumptions into account, the data acquisition system 40 can measure cross-components in the two tools 20A and 20B to determine the transmission and reception synchronization delays. In some embodiments, the measured cross-components may include a current measurement in the tool 20 that receives the timing synchronization signal and a voltage measurement in the tool that sends the timing synchronization signal. It should be noted that the components Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 45 / 60 38 / 45 cross-component measurements may also include a voltage measurement at the tool 20 that receives the timing synchronization signal and a current measurement at the tool that sends the timing synchronization signal. In either case, by comparing the cross-component signals measured at each respective tool 20 with knowledge of the times at which the timing synchronization signals (or any suitable timing signal) are transmitted and received at each respective tool 20, the data acquisition system 40 can determine the transmission and reception synchronization delays associated with the two tools 20. As a result, the data acquisition system 40 can apply the determined transmission and reception synchronization delays to the absolute-time tool-to-tool synchronization operation described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 to account for the asynchronous properties of each tool 20.

[0099] To determine the asynchronous properties between two tools 20, the data acquisition system 40 can initiate a channel delay symmetry process between tools 20A and 20B to account for the asynchronous symmetry in the communication between both tools 20. For example, through operation, after receiving a request to perform the channel delay symmetry process, the first tool 20A can send a synchronization signal to the second tool 20B. The synchronization signal can indicate to the second tool 20B that the first tool 20A will send a timing signal (e.g., timing synchronization) at a particular time t1, as measured by the first clock 72A with a current sensor or measuring device.Therefore, the second tool 20B can expect to receive the timing signal at some time t2 (after time t1), as measured by the second clock 72B with a voltage measuring device. In response to receiving the timing signal at time t2, the second tool 20B can send a response signal back to the first tool 20A at time t3. Time t3 can correspond to an expected amount of time or delay after the first tool. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, page 46 / 60 39 / 45 The second tool 20B receives the timing signal at time t2, a time specified by the second tool 20B in a separate message to the first tool 20A or similar. When the second tool 20B receives the timing signal at time t2, the second tool 20B can measure a cross-component or a voltage signal that corresponds to the received timing signal. That is, once the first tool 20A has measured the current signal that corresponds to the transmitted timing signal, the second tool 20B can measure the voltage signal that corresponds to the received timing signal. In this way, the first tool 20A can use the measured current signal as a time reference and a phase reference, while the second tool 20B can use the measured voltage signal as its time reference and phase reference.

[0100] Similarly, the second tool 20B can send another timing signal at time t4 to the first tool 20A and measure the additional timing signal with the voltage measuring device. In turn, the first tool 20A can receive the additional timing signal at time t5 and measure the received signal with the current sensor. The data acquisition system 40 or either tool 20A or 20B can use the measurements acquired by both tools to measure the asynchronous delays due to communication between the two tools 20A and 20B. Although the technique described above is discussed with tool 20A having the current sensor and tool 20B having the voltage measuring device, it should be noted that the embodiments described in this document can also be performed with tool 20B having the current sensor and tool 20A having the voltage measuring device.

[0101] With this in mind, since the first tool 20A and the second tool 20B make up a two-port network, the network has certain impedance parameters that may be present in the communication channel between the two tools 20. In fact, the impedance parameters looking at an asymmetrical network of each tool 20 are not the same. In Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 47 / 60 40 / 45 However, while the 20A tools include passive linear components, the electromagnetic properties between the two 20 tools remain the same. By taking the current signal measured on the first 20A tool and a demodulated signal obtained from the voltage signal measured on the second 20B tool, the 40 data acquisition system can determine the asynchronous delay between the two 20A and 20B tools. The determined asynchronous delay can then be applied to the synchronization process described above in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the 40 data acquisition system can synchronize the data sets and time data received from the 20 tools by determining the channel delay between the two communications and taking into account the asynchronous delays between the two 20 tools.

[0102] As such, employing the techniques described in this document, the data acquisition system 40 can ensure that the tools 20 are synchronized with each other to perform various operations. That is, the data acquisition system 40 can synchronize the data sets received from each tool 20 to determine operational adjustments (e.g., increase speed, adjust frequency) for the tools 20. In some embodiments, the tool control circuits 62 can perform the embodiments described in this document to synchronize their operations with another tool in the drill string 12.

[0103] The subject matter described in detail above may be defined by one or more clauses, as set forth below.

[0104] A system comprising: a first tool comprising a first control circuit, wherein the first tool is configured to perform a first operation within a well; and a second tool comprising a second control circuit, wherein the second tool is configured to perform a second operation within the well and wherein the first control circuit is configured to: send a first message to the second control circuit, wherein the first message comprises a first time associated with a transmission of Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 48 / 60 41 / 45 a second message from the first control circuit to the second control circuit; send the second message to the second control circuit on the first time; determine a second time associated with receiving a return message associated with the second message; determine a first return timing delay based on the first time and the second time; receive a third message from the second control circuit, wherein the third message comprises a third time associated with transmitting a fourth message from the second control circuit to the first control circuit; determine a fourth time associated with receiving the fourth message, wherein the fourth message comprises a fifth time associated with transmitting the third message; receive a second return timing delay associated with the second control circuit from the second control circuit;and determine an absolute time synchronization delay between the first control circuit and the second control circuit based on the first time, second time, third time, fourth time, fifth time, first return timing delay, and second return timing delay.

[0105] The system, according to the preceding clause, comprising a computing device configured to couple communicatively to the first control circuit, wherein the computing device is configured to send to the first control circuit an initialization message configured to cause the first control circuit to send the first message to the second control circuit.

[0106] The system, according to any previous clause, in which the first control circuit is configured to determine a sixth time to activate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device to sample a return timing signal.

[0107] The system, in accordance with any previous clause, in which the second message comprises a timing synchronization signal.

[0108] The system, in accordance with any previous clause, in which the Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 49 / 60 The 42 / 45 second control circuit is configured to sample the second message via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device.

[0109] The system, according to any previous clause, in which the first control circuit is communicatively coupled to the second control circuit via a communication bus.

[0110] The system, according to any previous clause, in which the first control circuit and the second control circuit are associated with a first clock and a second clock, respectively.

[0111] The system, according to any previous clause, in which the first control circuit is configured to synchronize with the second clock based on the absolute time synchronization delay.

[0112] A tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by processing circuits, are configured to cause the processing circuit to: send a first message to an additional processing circuit, wherein the first message comprises a first time associated with a transmission of a second message from the first processing circuit to the additional processing circuit; send the second message to the additional processing circuit at the first time; determine a second time associated with a receipt of a return message associated with the second message; determine a first return timing delay based on the first time and the second time;Receive a third message from the second control circuit, wherein the third message comprises a third time associated with the transmission of a fourth message from the additional processing circuit to the processing circuit; determine a fourth time associated with the reception of the fourth message, wherein the fourth message comprises a fifth time associated with the transmission of the third message; receive a second return timing delay associated with the additional processing circuit from the additional processing circuit; and determine; Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pages 50 / 60 43 / 45 an absolute time synchronization delay between the processing circuit and the additional processing circuit based on the first time, second time, third time, fourth time, fifth time, first return timing delay and second return timing delay.

[0113] The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, in accordance with the preceding clause, in which the processing circuit is configured to receive an initialization message configured to cause the processing circuit to send the first message to the additional processing circuit.

[0114] The tangible, non-transient, computer-readable means, according to any preceding clause, in which the processing circuit is configured to determine a second time to activate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device to sample a return timing signal.

[0115] The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, in accordance with any previous clause, in which the second message comprises a timing synchronization signal.

[0116] The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, in accordance with any preceding clause, in which the additional processing circuit is configured to sample the second message through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device.

[0117] The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable means, in accordance with any previous clause, in which the first control circuit is communicatively coupled to the additional processing circuit via a communication bus.

[0118] The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, in accordance with any previous clause, in which the processing circuit and the additional processing circuit are associated with a first clock and a second clock, respectively. Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 51 / 60 44 / 45

[0119] The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, in accordance with any previous clause, in which the processing circuit is configured to synchronize with the second clock based on the absolute time synchronization delay.

[0120] A method comprising: sending, through processing circuits, a first message to an additional processing circuit, wherein the first message comprises a first time associated with a transmission of a second message from the first processing circuit to the additional processing circuit; sending, through the processing circuit, the second message to the additional processing circuit at the first time; determining, through the processing circuit, a second time associated with a receipt of a return message associated with the second message; determining, through the processing circuit, a first return timing delay based on the first time and the second time;to receive, through the processing circuit, a third message from the second control circuit, wherein the third message comprises a third time associated with the transmission of a fourth message from the additional processing circuit to the processing circuit; to determine, through the processing circuit, a fourth time associated with the reception of the fourth message, wherein the fourth message comprises a fifth time associated with the transmission of the third message; to receive, through the processing circuit, a second return timing delay associated with the additional processing circuit from the additional processing circuit;and determine, through the processing circuit, an absolute time synchronization delay between the processing circuit and the additional processing circuit based on the first time, the second time, the third time, the fourth time, the fifth time, the first return timing delay, and the second return timing delay.

[0121] The method, according to the previous clause, comprising Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 52 / 60 45 / 45 receive a startup message configured to cause the processing circuit to send the first message to the additional processing circuit.

[0122] The method, according to any preceding clause, comprising determining a second time to activate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device to sample a return timing signal.

[0123] The method, according to any previous clause, in which the second message comprises a timing synchronization signal.

[0124] The above description, for explanatory purposes, has been described with reference to specific modalities. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Furthermore, the order in which the elements of the methods described in this document are illustrated and described may be rearranged and / or two or more elements may occur simultaneously. The modalities have been chosen and described to better explain the principles of disclosure and their practical application, thus enabling others skilled in the art to better utilize disclosure and the various modalities with various modifications suitable to the particular use contemplated.

[0125] Finally, the techniques presented and claimed in this document are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claims appended at the end of this descriptive report contain one or more elements designated as means to [perform] [a function]... or steps to [perform] [a function]..., such elements are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other way, such elements are not intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112(f). Petition 870260011579, dated 06 / 02 / 2026, pp. 53 / 60

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. System, characterized in that it comprises: a first tool comprising a first control circuit, wherein the first tool is configured to perform a first operation within a well; and a second tool comprising a second control circuit, wherein the second tool is configured to perform a second operation within the well and wherein the first control circuit is configured to: send a first message to the second control circuit, wherein the first message comprises a first time associated with a transmission of a second message from the first control circuit to the second control circuit; send the second message to the second control circuit at the first time; determine a second time associated with a receipt of a return message associated with the second message;determine a first return timing delay based on the first and second times; receive a third message from the second control circuit, wherein the third message comprises a third time associated with the transmission of a fourth message from the second control circuit to the first control circuit; determine a fourth time associated with the reception of the fourth message, wherein the fourth message comprises a fifth time associated with the transmission of the third message; receive a second return timing delay associated with the second control circuit from the second control circuit;and determine an absolute time synchronization delay between the first control circuit and the second control circuit based on the first time, Petition 870250104852, 11 / 17 / 2025, p. 18 / 74 2 / 6 on the second time, on the third time, on the fourth time, on the fifth time, on the first return timing delay and on the second return timing delay.; 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a computing device configured to communicatively couple to the first control circuit, wherein the computing device is configured to send to the first control circuit an initialization message configured to cause the first control circuit to send the first message to the second control circuit.

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first control circuit is configured to determine a sixth time to activate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device to sample a return timing signal.

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the second message comprises a timing synchronization signal.

5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the second control circuit is configured to sample the second message through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first control circuit is communicatively coupled to the second control circuit via a communication bus.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first control circuit and the second control circuit are associated with a first clock and a second clock, respectively.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the first control circuit is configured to synchronize with the second clock based on the absolute time synchronization delay.

9. Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, characterized by the fact that it comprises instructions that, when executed by processing circuits, are configured to cause the processing circuit to: send a first message to an additional processing circuit, wherein the first message comprises a first time associated with a transmission of a second message from the first processing circuit to the additional processing circuit; send the second message to the additional processing circuit at the first time; determine a second time associated with a receipt of a return message associated with the second message; determine a first return timing delay based on the first time and the second time;Receive a third message from the second control circuit, wherein the third message comprises a third time associated with the transmission of a fourth message from the additional processing circuit to the processing circuit; determine a fourth time associated with the reception of the fourth message, wherein the fourth message comprises a fifth time associated with the transmission of the third message; receive a second return timing delay associated with the additional processing circuit from the additional processing circuit; and determine an absolute time synchronization delay between the processing circuit and the additional processing circuit based on the first time, the second time, the third time, the fourth time, the fifth time, the first return timing delay, and the second return timing delay.

10. Tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the processing circuit is configured to receive an initialization message configured to cause the processing circuit to send the first Petition 870250104852, dated 11 / 17 / 2025, page 20 / 74 4 / 6 message to the additional processing circuit.

11. A tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the processing circuit is configured to determine a second time to activate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device to sample a timing-return signal.

12. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the second message comprises a timing synchronization signal.

13. A tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the additional processing circuit is configured to sample the second message through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device.

14. Tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the first control circuit is communicatively coupled to the additional processing circuit via a communication bus.

15. A tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, characterized in that the processing circuit and the additional processing circuit are associated with a first clock and a second clock, respectively.

16. A tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium according to claim 15, characterized in that the processing circuit is configured to synchronize with the second clock based on the absolute time synchronization delay.

17. Method, characterized in that it comprises: sending, through the processing circuit, a first message to an additional processing circuit, wherein the first message comprises a first time associated with the transmission of a second message from the processing circuit to the additional processing circuit; sending, through the processing circuit, the second message to the additional processing circuit in the first time; terminating, through the processing circuit, a second time associated with the receipt of a return message associated with the second message; terminating, through the processing circuit, a first return timing delay based on the first time and the second time;to receive, through the processing circuit, a third message from the second control circuit, wherein the third message comprises a third time associated with the transmission of a fourth message from the additional processing circuit to the processing circuit; to terminate, through the processing circuit, a fourth time associated with the reception of the fourth message, wherein the fourth message comprises a fifth time associated with the transmission of the third message; to receive, through the processing circuit, a second return timing delay associated with the additional processing circuit from the additional processing circuit;and determine, through the processing circuit, an absolute time synchronization delay between the processing circuit and the additional processing circuit based on the first time, the second time, the third time, the fourth time, the fifth time, the first return timing delay, and the second return timing delay.

18. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises receiving an initialization message configured to cause the processing circuit to send the first message to the additional processing circuit.

19. Method, according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises determining a second time to activate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device to sample a return timing signal.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the second message comprises a timing synchronization signal. Petition 870250104852, dated 11 / 17 / 2025, p. 23 / 74

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