Microseismic data remote collection method, system and collector

Abstract

The invention discloses a microseismic data remote collection method and system and a collector, and relates to the technical field of geophysical exploration. The system comprises a node seismograph and a mobile data collector. And the first control unit of the node seismograph is physically connected with the enabling end or the power supply end of the wireless communication unit. The mobile data collector establishes a wireless local area network access point. The method comprises the following steps: a first control unit sends an activation signal, controls a wireless communication unit to be switched from low power consumption to a working state and is connected to an access point; the first control unit sends the collected seismic data to the mobile data collector for storage through the wireless communication unit. Low-power-consumption management is achieved through physical pin control, a local area network is established through the mobile collector, and efficient microseismic data collection which does not need physical contact and adapts to the complex field environment is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of geophysical exploration and microseismic monitoring technology, and in particular to a method, system and collector for remote collection of microseismic data. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of long-term real-time monitoring of microseismic events and geophysical exploration, nodal seismometers need to be deployed extensively in the field and operate continuously for extended periods to capture microseismic events in real time or acquire seismic background noise imaging data. Traditional seismic data acquisition typically relies on 4G networks for real-time transmission, or on manually retrieving the seismometer after the operation cycle, inserting it into a charging box, and connecting it to a computer to download data.

[0003] However, existing 4G transmission solutions require peripherals to operate continuously, resulting in high power consumption and shortened battery life, making it difficult to meet the needs of long-term monitoring. For areas with no or weak network coverage, manual retrieval methods require digging and transporting seismographs buried deep underground one by one, which is not only costly in terms of manpower and time but also inefficient, failing to meet the immediate needs for rapid on-site quality control and data access.

[0004] Therefore, designing a low-power, contactless, and adaptable remote data collection solution for complex network environments in the field has become an urgent technical challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a method, system, and collector for remote collection of microseismic data, aiming to design a low-power, contactless, and adaptable remote data collection solution for complex network environments in the field.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this invention proposes a remote collection method for microseismic data. The method is applied to a data acquisition system comprising multiple distributed node seismographs and a mobile data collector. Each node seismograph includes a first control unit and a wireless communication unit connected to the first control unit. The control pin of the first control unit is physically connected to the enable or power supply terminal of the wireless communication unit. The mobile data collector is configured to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point. The method includes the following steps: the first control unit of the node seismograph sends an activation signal to the enable or power supply terminal, controlling the wireless communication unit to switch from a low-power state to an operating state; the operating wireless communication unit searches for and connects to the WLAN access point established by the mobile data collector; the first control unit transmits the acquired seismic data to the wireless communication unit, and then transmits it to the mobile data collector via the wireless communication unit; the mobile data collector receives and stores the seismic data.

[0007] Preferably, the mobile data collector is mounted on a drone; the wireless communication unit in operation searches for and connects to the wireless local area network access point established by the mobile data collector, including: the drone moves the mobile data collector to the communication range of the node seismograph, and the wireless communication unit automatically searches for and connects to the wireless local area network access point.

[0008] Preferably, the first control unit of the nodal seismograph sends an activation signal to the enable terminal or power supply terminal by: the first control unit pulling the level of the control pin high and sending an AT command to the wireless communication unit to initialize the wireless function of the wireless communication unit.

[0009] Preferably, the process of the first control unit transmitting the acquired seismic data to the wireless communication unit and then to the mobile data collector via the wireless communication unit includes: the first control unit acquiring the seismic data after analog-to-digital conversion and transmitting the seismic data to the wireless communication unit via a serial port; the wireless communication unit packaging the seismic data using the UDP protocol and transmitting it to the mobile data collector.

[0010] Preferably, the mobile data collector includes a router module and a main control chip circuit interconnected with each other, as well as a 4G communication module, an Ethernet interface, and a local storage module connected to the main control chip circuit; the router module is used to establish the wireless local area network access point.

[0011] Preferably, the router module is connected to the main control chip circuit via the Ethernet interface; the mobile data collector receiving the seismic data includes: the router module receiving the seismic data sent by the wireless communication unit and transmitting it to the main control chip circuit via the Ethernet interface.

[0012] Preferably, the method further includes selecting a data transmission mode based on the network signal status: when a 4G network signal is detected, the main control chip circuit uploads the received seismic data to a remote server in real time through the 4G communication module.

[0013] Preferably, the method further includes: when a 4G network signal is detected to be absent, determining whether a wired bridge connection with the host computer has been established through the Ethernet interface; if so, transmitting the earthquake data to the host computer through the wired bridge.

[0014] Preferably, the method further includes: when a 4G network signal is detected and no wired bridge connection is established, the main control chip circuit stores the received earthquake data in the local storage module.

[0015] Preferably, the system further includes a client running on a computer or mobile terminal; the method further includes: the client establishing a communication connection with the mobile data collector to receive and display the status information of the node seismograph or the seismic data.

[0016] This application also discloses a microseismic data acquisition system, which includes multiple distributed node seismometers and a mobile data collector. Each node seismometer includes a first control unit and a wireless communication unit. The control pin of the first control unit is physically connected to the enable or power supply terminal of the wireless communication unit. The first control unit is configured to send an activation signal to the enable or power supply terminal to control the wireless communication unit to switch from a low-power state to an operating state. The mobile data collector is configured to establish a wireless local area network access point and receive seismic data transmitted by the node seismometers through the wireless communication unit.

[0017] This application also discloses a mobile data collector, including a router module, a main control chip circuit, and a 4G communication module, an Ethernet interface, and a local storage module connected to the main control chip circuit. The router module is connected to the main control chip circuit through the Ethernet interface and is configured to establish a wireless local area network access point to receive external data. The main control chip circuit is configured to perform data transmission mode selection: when a 4G network signal is detected, the received data is uploaded to a server through the 4G communication module; when a 4G network signal is not detected and a wired bridge connection is established through the Ethernet interface, data is transmitted through the wired bridge; when a 4G network signal is not detected and no wired bridge connection is established, the received data is stored in the local storage module.

[0018] The above technical solution has the following advantages: This invention provides a method for remote collection of microseismic data. Through the collaborative operation of a nodal seismograph and a mobile data collector, non-contact remote data acquisition is achieved. The nodal seismograph utilizes a first control unit to control the physical pins of the wireless communication unit, enabling deep, low-power sleep mode during non-transmission periods, effectively extending the device's field endurance. The mobile data collector establishes a wireless local area network access point, allowing the nodal seismograph to automatically search for and connect to the network upon activation, and then quickly upload cached data via the UDP protocol. This method avoids the tedious manual collection of devices and also solves the problem of excessive power consumption in existing 4G solutions, significantly improving the efficiency and convenience of microseismic data acquisition in the field. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall architecture of the microseismic data acquisition system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the remote collection method for microseismic data provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal hardware architecture and connection relationships of a mobile data collector provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are only used to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0023] Example 1 This embodiment provides a microseismic data acquisition system, which is mainly used for field seismic exploration, real-time microseismic monitoring, and seismic background noise imaging. Figure 1 As shown, the microseismic data acquisition system 100 includes multiple node seismographs 200 distributed within the monitoring area, a mobile data collector 300, and a client 400.

[0024] The nodal seismograph 200, as the front-end acquisition unit, is responsible for local sampling and buffering of microseismic signals. In a preferred embodiment of this application, the nodal seismograph 200 specifically employs a three-component nodal seismograph, such as the UGL-3C model, capable of simultaneously acquiring seismic wave signals in three orthogonal directions. Considering the stringent requirements for equipment endurance during long-term field monitoring, the nodal seismograph 200 adopts a low-power hierarchical control design in its hardware architecture. Specifically, the nodal seismograph 200 includes a first control unit and a wireless communication unit. The first control unit uses an STM32 microcontroller as its core processor, responsible for data acquisition (analog-to-digital conversion), logic control, and power management. The wireless communication unit uses an ESP32-WROOM module as its core communication component, supporting the Wi-Fi communication protocol. The wireless communication unit communicates with the first control unit via a serial port.

[0025] To address the issue of excessive power consumption caused by continuous operation of the 4G communication module in existing technologies, this embodiment establishes a specific physical control connection between the first control unit and the wireless communication unit. The control pin of the first control unit is physically connected to the enable or power supply terminal of the wireless communication unit. In the specific circuit implementation, the PB15 pin of the STM32 microcontroller is used as the control pin and directly connected to the EN pin of the ESP32 module, i.e., the enable terminal. This hardware connection method ensures that the operating state of the wireless communication unit is completely controlled by the first control unit. During non-data transmission periods, the first control unit controls this control pin to a low level, causing the wireless communication unit to be in a powered-off or extremely low-power sleep state, thereby significantly reducing the overall static power consumption of the nodal seismograph 200 and extending the field deployment cycle.

[0026] The mobile data collector 300 serves as the relay hub of the entire system and is configured to be mounted on a drone 306. Utilizing the high mobility of the drone 306, the mobile data collector 300 can fly over widely distributed and terrain-complex node seismometers 200 to conduct non-contact data collection. The mobile data collector 300 integrates a router module 301 and a main control chip circuit 302. The router module 301 is configured to establish a wireless local area network access point (AP), which has a preset service set identifier (SSID) and security credentials for the node seismometers 200 to identify and access.

[0027] The client 400 runs on a computer or mobile terminal and is used for system operation status monitoring, data management, and task control. The client 400 can establish a communication connection with the mobile data collector 300 to view the data. The client 400 is also configured to dynamically adjust the data collection strategy based on network status. When the communication link is unobstructed, it receives real-time status information from each node and instantly views individual gun data. When remote communication is unavailable, it supports offline management via a local area network or bridge connection.

[0028] Example 2 This embodiment further illustrates the internal architecture of the mobile data collector 300 in the above system and its multi-mode operating mechanism. In the field environment, network signal coverage is often unstable. In order to ensure the reliability of data backhaul and the robustness of the system, the mobile data collector 300 is designed with multiple data backhaul paths.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, the mobile data collector 300 includes a router module 301 and a main control chip circuit 302 interconnected with each other, as well as a 4G communication module 303, an Ethernet interface 304, and a local storage module 305 connected to the main control chip circuit 302. The router module 301 achieves high-speed data communication with the main control chip circuit 302 through the Ethernet interface 304. Specifically, the router module 301 focuses on establishing and maintaining the wireless link and is responsible for receiving data streams from the node seismograph 200, while the main control chip circuit 302 is responsible for data processing, storage path selection, and forwarding logic.

[0030] The main control chip circuit 302 is configured to perform data transmission mode selection, specifically including three operating modes: The first mode is 4G online transmission. When the main control chip circuit 302 detects a stable 4G network signal, it will upload the seismic data received from the router module 301 to a remote server 500 in real time via the 4G communication module 303. This server can be a remote PC or a cloud server. In this mode, the remote client 400 can instantly view the data of individual seismic sources and the status of nodes, offering the highest level of real-time performance.

[0031] The second mode is the local transmission mode via a network bridge. When a lack of 4G network signal is detected, such as in remote mountainous areas or signal dead zones, the main control chip circuit 302 will determine whether a connection has been established on the Ethernet interface 304. If on-site personnel connect the host computer (running the client 400) to the Ethernet interface 304 of the mobile data collector 300 via a network cable, or connect via an external wired network bridge device, the mobile data collector 300 enters bridge mode. In this mode, earthquake data is transmitted directly to the host computer on-site via a wired link, facilitating rapid on-site quality control and data download in environments without a public network.

[0032] The third mode is local storage. When a 4G network signal is detected and no wired bridge connection is established, for example, when the drone 306 is automatically cruising and collecting data in a signal dead zone, the main control chip circuit 302 writes the received seismic data into the local storage module 305. The local storage module 305 typically uses a high-capacity SD card. After the drone 306 returns, staff can remove the SD card for manual data retrieval or export the data via cable for unified data transmission. This multi-level caching mechanism effectively solves the problem of data loss caused by poor communication conditions in the field.

[0033] Example 3 This embodiment, based on the aforementioned system, details a method for remote acquisition of microseismic data. This method achieves low-power, high-efficiency remote data acquisition through the coordinated operation of a nodal seismograph 200 and a mobile data collector 300.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the method first includes an activation step. The first control unit of the node seismograph 200 sends an activation signal to the enable terminal, controlling the wireless communication unit to switch from a low-power state to an operating state. Specifically, when the node seismograph 200 completes local sampling and is ready to upload data, or when a preset communication window time is reached, the STM32 microcontroller pulls the level of pin PB15, which is connected to the EN pin of the ESP32 module, high. This physical signal wakes up the ESP32 module. Subsequently, the STM32 sends AT commands to the ESP32 via the onboard serial port to initialize its wireless function, putting it into station (STA) mode. Compared to the existing technology where the communication module is constantly in the background standby, this embodiment adopts an on-demand operating mode combining physical wake-up and command initialization, greatly reducing unnecessary power consumption.

[0035] The next step is the connection process. The wireless communication unit, which is in operation, automatically searches for surrounding wireless signals. When the UAV 306 moves the mobile data collector 300 into the communication range of the node seismograph 200, the wireless communication unit searches for and identifies the wireless local area network access point established by the mobile data collector 300, and automatically completes the handshake connection to establish a wireless communication link.

[0036] The next step is transmission. The first control unit converts the acquired analog microseismic signals into digitized seismic data through analog-to-digital conversion. The first control unit then transmits this data to the wireless communication unit via a serial port. The wireless communication unit uses the UDP protocol to package the seismic data. UDP is used instead of TCP because it has lower overhead, faster transmission speed, and is better suited to the short communication windows during UAV patrols, maximizing transmission throughput per unit time. The packaged data is then transmitted to the mobile data collector 300 via a Wi-Fi link.

[0037] Finally, there is the receiving and storage step. The router module 301 of the mobile data collector 300 receives data packets and transmits them to the main control chip circuit 302 via the internal Ethernet interface 304. The main control chip circuit 302, based on the current network environment (whether there is a 4G signal or a wired connection), uploads the data in real time, exports it locally, or stores it in the local storage module 305 according to the strategy described in Embodiment 2. The client 400 can then establish a connection with the mobile data collector 300, receive and display the status information or seismic data of the node seismograph 200, thereby achieving the goal of viewing data on-site or remotely without the need for excavation and retrieval equipment.

[0038] Example 4 This embodiment focuses on the scenario of UAV-based data collection. In actual operations, a large number of nodal seismometers 200 are shallowly buried below the surface, widely distributed, making it difficult to reach them manually. In this embodiment, the mobile data collector 300 is fixedly mounted on the mounting platform of the UAV 306.

[0039] At the start of the operation, the drone 306 flies along a preset route. The mobile data collector 300 is powered on, and the router module 301 establishes a Wi-Fi hotspot with a hidden or public SSID. When the drone 306 flies over one or more node seismometers 200, the wireless communication unit of the underground node seismometer 200 is awakened by the first control unit. Upon detecting that the hotspot signal strength meets the threshold, it initiates a connection request. After the connection is established, the node seismometer 200 quickly bursts and transmits the cached seismic data via the UDP protocol. The drone 306 does not need to land; it only needs to hover above the node or pass slowly to complete the data harvesting. After completing the acquisition, the wireless communication unit of the node seismometer 200, under the control of the first control unit, pulls down the PB15 pin level and re-enters sleep mode, waiting for the next acquisition cycle. This non-contact collection method avoids the cumbersome operations of digging equipment and plugging and unplugging data cables in traditional methods, significantly improving the efficiency of field operations.

[0040] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of remote collection of microseismic data, characterized in that, The method is applied to a data acquisition system, the system comprising a plurality of node seismographs distributedly arranged and a mobile data collector; the node seismograph comprising a first control unit and a wireless communication unit connected with the first control unit, a control pin of the first control unit being physically connected with an enable terminal or a power terminal of the wireless communication unit; the mobile data collector being configured to establish a wireless local area network access point; The method comprises the following steps: the first control unit of the node seismograph sends an activation signal to the enable terminal or the power terminal to control the wireless communication unit to switch from a low-power state to a working state; the wireless communication unit in the working state searches and connects to the wireless local area network access point established by the mobile data collector; the first control unit transmits the acquired seismic data to the wireless communication unit and sends the seismic data to the mobile data collector through the wireless communication unit; and the mobile data collector receives and stores the seismic data.

2. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 1, wherein, The mobile data collector is mounted on a UAV; the wireless communication unit in the working state searching and connecting to the wireless local area network access point established by the mobile data collector comprises: the UAV drives the mobile data collector to move into the communication range of the node seismograph, and the wireless communication unit automatically searches and connects to the wireless local area network access point.

3. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 1, wherein, The first control unit of the node seismograph sending an activation signal to the enable terminal or the power terminal comprises: the first control unit pulls up the level of the control pin and sends an AT instruction to the wireless communication unit to initialize the wireless function of the wireless communication unit.

4. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 1, wherein, The first control unit transmitting the acquired seismic data to the wireless communication unit and sending the seismic data to the mobile data collector through the wireless communication unit comprises: the first control unit acquires the seismic data after analog-to-digital conversion, and sends the seismic data to the wireless communication unit through a serial port; and the wireless communication unit packs the seismic data using a UDP protocol and sends the seismic data to the mobile data collector.

5. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 1, wherein, The mobile data collector comprises a router module and a master chip circuit connected with each other, and a 4G communication module, an Ethernet interface and a local storage module connected with the master chip circuit; the router module is used to establish the wireless local area network access point.

6. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 5, wherein, The router module is connected with the master chip circuit through the Ethernet interface; the mobile data collector receiving the seismic data comprises: the router module receives the seismic data sent by the wireless communication unit and transmits the seismic data to the master chip circuit through the Ethernet interface.

7. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises selecting a data transmission mode according to a network signal state: when a 4G network signal is detected, the master chip circuit uploads the received seismic data to a remote server in real time through the 4G communication module.

8. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises: when it is detected that the 4G network signal is not available, judging whether a wired bridge connection with the upper computer is established through the Ethernet interface; if yes, transmitting the seismic data to the upper computer through the wired bridge.

9. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises: when it is detected that the 4G network signal is not available and the wired bridge connection is not established, storing the received seismic data into the local storage module by the master chip circuit.

10. The method of remote collection of microseismic data of claim 1, wherein, The system further comprises a client, which runs on a computer or a mobile terminal; the method further comprises: the client establishes a communication connection with the mobile data collector, for receiving and displaying the state information of the node seismograph or the seismic data.

11. A microseismic data acquisition system characterized by, The system comprises a plurality of node seismographs and a mobile data collector, which are distributed; the node seismograph comprises a first control unit and a wireless communication unit, a control pin of the first control unit is physically connected with an enable terminal or a power terminal of the wireless communication unit, and the first control unit is configured to send an activation signal to the enable terminal or the power terminal to control the wireless communication unit to switch from a low-power state to a working state; the mobile data collector is configured to establish a wireless local area network access point and receive the seismic data sent by the node seismograph through the wireless communication unit.

12. A mobile data collector characterized by The system comprises a router module, a master chip circuit, a 4G communication module, an Ethernet interface and a local storage module connected with the master chip circuit; the router module is connected with the master chip circuit through the Ethernet interface, and the router module is configured to establish a wireless local area network access point to receive external data; the master chip circuit is configured to perform data transmission mode selection: when it is detected that the 4G network signal is available, uploading the received data to a server through the 4G communication module; when it is detected that the 4G network signal is not available and a wired bridge connection is established through the Ethernet interface, transmitting data through the wired bridge; when it is detected that the 4G network signal is not available and the wired bridge connection is not established, storing the received data into the local storage module.

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