Air gun control system and control method

Abstract

The invention provides an air gun control system. The air gun control system comprises a host, manifold pressure, a network switch, a deck interface unit, a deck power supply unit, a time controller and a subarray, the host is in pressure connection with a manifold through a serial port line and is also connected with the network switch through a network cable, the deck interface unit is connected with the network switch and the deck power supply unit through cables, the time controller is a time receiving and control device, is connected with the network switch and is connected to the host, and the subarrays are connected with the deck interface unit through seismic cables. Each subarray is designed to be an independent module and is located below the water surface, and data interaction between underwater equipment and deck equipment is achieved. The air gun control system provided by the invention has a modular design and a simple structure, and can effectively reduce the system cost and improve the operation convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of geophysical exploration, specifically to an air gun control system and control method applied to marine exploration. Background Technology

[0002] The marine gun control system is a system used to control the excitation of the air gun source at sea. Its main functions are to control the excitation of the air gun source, collect the air gun synchronization signal, near-field wavelet signal, pressure and depth data in real time, and monitor the excitation quality of the air gun source.

[0003] Current airgun control systems can be categorized into analog and digital types based on their system structure and data transmission methods. Analog airgun control systems house both the control circuit and auxiliary channel acquisition circuit in the instrument room of the seismic exploration vessel; both downlink control commands and uplink auxiliary channel data are analog signals. Key products include the TGN from Macha (USA), the GCS90 from Sercel (France), the GunLink2000 from Seamap (UK), and the BigShot from RS (USA). Digital airgun control systems primarily employ an underwater distributed layout, placing the airgun control data acquisition circuit module at the underwater airgun location. The entire system can be considered a small, distributed digital seismograph. Key products include the DigiShot (formerly ION), the GunLink4000 from Seamap, and the SmartSource from Teledyne. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an air gun control system and control method that can solve the problems of complex structure, difficult operation, and difficult maintenance when malfunctions occur in traditional air gun control systems.

[0005] This invention provides an air gun control system, including a main unit, a manifold pressure unit, a network switch, a deck interface unit, a deck power supply unit, a time controller, and a subarray; The host connects to the manifold pressure via a serial cable to display the data information transmitted back from the manifold pressure; the host also connects to a network switch via a network cable, and connects to various subsystems through the network switch to issue control commands and receive transmitted data. The deck interface unit is connected to the network switch and the deck power supply unit via cable, providing an interface for the equipment in the deck power supply unit and subarray, as well as modulating and demodulating the long cable data transmission signal, and converting the data transmission signal to Ethernet-VDSL communication and voltage conversion; The time controller is a time receiving and control device that connects to a network switch and then to the host computer. The subarrays are connected to the deck interface unit via gun cables. Each subarray is designed as an independent module, located below the water surface, and installed on the davit under the buoy to enable data interaction between underwater equipment and deck equipment. Furthermore, the number of deck power supply units is at least one, the number of subarrays is at least one, the number of deck power supply units and subarrays are the same, and each deck power supply unit supplies power to a subarray individually.

[0006] Furthermore, the subarray includes a subarray controller, an air gun controller, and an air gun. The subarray controller manages the air gun controller, the air gun controller controls the air gun, and the subarray controller establishes high-precision time synchronization with the time controller through the PTP synchronization protocol.

[0007] Furthermore, each subarray controller manages at least one air gun controller, and each air gun controller controls at least one air gun.

[0008] Furthermore, each subarray controller manages 8 air gun controllers, and each air gun controller controls 16 air guns.

[0009] Furthermore, the air gun control system also includes navigation; The navigation system establishes a communication connection with the host computer and the time controller; The timing controller receives the ignition pulse from the navigation system and forwards it to the subarray, while simultaneously returning the CTB pulse to the navigation system.

[0010] Furthermore, a gun cable winch is installed between the deck interface unit and the subarray for raising and lowering the gun cable. The subarray controller is connected to the gun cable winch and the air gun controller via gun cables. The air gun controller is connected to the air gun via gun cables. The large end of the gun cable is connected to the subarray controller, and the large end of the gun cable is also connected to a high-pressure air pipe, which is located outside the subarray controller.

[0011] The present invention also provides an air gun control method. This includes the preparation phase, the firing phase, and the data transmission phase. The preparation phase includes, S1. Start the system: Turn on the deck power supply unit to supply power to the subarray controller and air gun controller through the deck interface unit and the gun cable winch. Then, turn on the time controller to receive GPS signals and perform real-time time calibration. After the time calibration is completed, turn on the manifold pressure and the main unit. S2. System Readiness Confirmation: The host obtains status information from the time controller, subarray controller and air gun controller to confirm that each device in the system is ready. Regarding the firing phase, including, S3, Construction Parameter Settings: The navigation system sends a list of excitation source numbers for this construction to the host, and the host forwards this information to the time controller; S4. Firing command transmission: After the ship arrives at the construction site according to the coordinates set by the navigation, the navigation sends a firing command to the time controller. The time controller receives the list of excitation source numbers and the firing command, timestamps them, and then sends them to the sub-array controller and air gun controller participating in the construction. S5, Air Gun Activation: The air gun controller activates the air gun according to the received firing command. For the data return phase, including, S6. Data Acquisition and Transmission: After the air gun completes the ignition action, the sensor on the air gun will send the collected monitoring data back to the subarray controller, and then back to the host through the deck interface unit and network switch. S7. Fire Time Calibration: The host receives the returned data, calculates the fire time deviation based on the waveform collected after each air gun firing, and sends it back to the air gun controller via the subarray controller. The air gun controller performs offset calibration in the next firing action. After calibration, the error between the air gun firing time and the theoretical firing time is no more than 1ms.

[0012] Furthermore, the excitation source number list in step S3 includes the subarray controller number, air gun controller number, and air gun number participating in the construction.

[0013] Furthermore, in step S6, the sensors include a hydrophone, a pressure sensor, a depth sensor, and a gun motion sensor.

[0014] This invention provides an air gun control system that employs a modular power supply method. The system converts the firing voltage and underwater equipment operating voltage through a deck interface unit and a subarray controller. Each deck interface unit independently powers a subarray controller, improving the system's modularity and fault isolation capabilities. The time controller receives BeiDou / GNSS signals, tames its internal high-stability constant-temperature crystal oscillator, and achieves local UTC time recovery. It establishes high-precision time synchronization with the subarray controllers via the PTP synchronization protocol, ensuring time consistency across all system components. The host connects to each subsystem via a network switch, issuing control commands and receiving data feedback. The subarray controllers handle communication conversion, voltage conversion, and bus conversion, enabling data interaction between the underwater and deck equipment. The air gun controller receives firing commands from the subarray controllers, controls the air gun's firing, and collects data from various sensors. The collected data is transmitted back to the host via the subarray controllers for monitoring and analyzing the air gun's firing quality. The subarray controllers feature an independent modular design, facilitating maintenance and replacement, and simplifying the gun cable design, thus reducing system costs and improving operational convenience. Through the synergistic effect of these technical features, the eLink air gun control system achieves the goals of being autonomous and controllable, simple in structure, easy to maintain, and low in cost, thus solving core technical problems. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air gun control system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the subarray controller (GCS) connection provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A flowchart of an air gun control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Main unit; 2. Manifold pressure; 3. Network switch; 4. Deck interface unit; 5. Deck power supply unit; 6. Time controller; 7. Navigation; 8. Gun cable winch; 9. Subarray controller; 10. Air gun controller; 11. Air gun; 12. Gun cable head; 13. High-pressure air hose. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, so that the process of how the present invention uses technical means to solve technical problems and achieve technical effects can be fully understood and implemented accordingly. It should be noted that, as long as there is no conflict, the various embodiments and features in the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, and the resulting technical solutions are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] Furthermore, the steps shown in the flowchart in the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer-executable instructions, and although a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases the steps shown or described may be executed in a different order than that shown here.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the air gun control system mainly consists of a host 1, a manifold pressure unit (PDU) 2, a network switch 3, a deck interface unit (DIU) 4, a deck power supply unit (DPSU) 5, a time controller (TCU) 6, a navigation system 7, a gun cable winch 8, a subarray controller (GCS) 9, an air gun controller (AGC) 10, and an air gun 11.

[0021] The host unit 1 is a computer or personal laptop equipped with eLink system control software and data acquisition and display software. Host 1 is connected to the manifold pressure unit 2 via a serial cable to display the data transmitted back from the manifold pressure unit 2. Host 1 is also connected to the navigation unit 7 via a serial cable to receive command information from the navigation unit 7. Furthermore, host 1 is also connected to the network switch 3 via a network cable to issue control commands to the time controller 6, deck power supply unit 5, subarray controller 9, and air gun controller 10, and to receive data transmitted back from them.

[0022] Manifold pressure 2 is a component of the overall framework of the eLink air gun control system. It is used to test the manifold pressure of each subarray, display it digitally, and transmit it back to the display device of host 1 via a serial port. Manifold pressure 2 is connected to host 1 via a serial cable, providing the system with manifold pressure data. The technical contribution of manifold pressure 2 lies in its real-time monitoring and digital display of the manifold pressure of each subarray, and the transmission of this data back to host 1. This function helps operators understand the pressure status of the air gun system in a timely manner, ensuring safe system operation and stable air gun firing. Digital display and serial port transmission improve data readability and transmission efficiency, facilitating data processing and analysis by host 1. In embodiments of this invention, manifold pressure 2 may measure the manifold pressure of multiple subarrays, such as 10MPa, 12MPa, 15MPa, etc., digitizing this data and transmitting it to host 1 in real time via a serial port. Operators on the host can intuitively see the current pressure value of each subarray through the display interface and adjust the operating parameters of the air gun system or perform fault diagnosis based on this data.

[0023] Deck interface unit 4 is used to provide interfaces for devices in various subsystems such as deck power supply unit 5, subarray controller 9, and air gun controller 10, as well as to modulate and demodulate long cable data transmission signals, and to perform Ethernet-VDSL (Very / Ultra-High Speed ​​Digital Subscriber Line) communication conversion and voltage conversion on the data transmission signals. Deck interface unit 4 is connected to network switch 3 and deck power supply unit 5 via cables, and to gun cable winch 8 via gun cable.

[0024] The deck power supply unit 5 supplies power to the subarray controller 9, air gun controller 10, and air gun 11. The subarray controller 9, air gun controller 10, and air gun 11 form a subarray, which is the smallest unit for the gun control system to perform excitation operations. This equipment converts the ship's 220V AC power to 300V DC power. Through the deck interface unit 4 and the subarray controller 9, the 300V DC is converted into DC 75V, 100V, 125V, and 150V for gun activation, as well as DC 24V and DC 12V for underwater equipment circuitry. Figure 1This illustration only shows one deck power supply unit 5 supplying power to one subarray via the deck interface unit 4 and the gun cable winch 8. In actual implementation, the number of deck power supply units 5 and subarrays may be greater than shown, and this application does not limit this. However, it should be noted that the number of deck power supply units 5 and subarrays is the same, and each deck power supply unit 5 supplies power to one subarray independently. The advantage of this is that when a circuit failure occurs in one subarray, it will not affect the use of other subarrays. Compared with the one-to-many power supply scheme of other gun control systems, this one-to-one power supply scheme improves the modularity and fault isolation capability of the system.

[0025] The time controller 6 is a time receiving and control device that provides a precise clock for the eLink system. It receives BeiDou / GNSS signals through a built-in timing module, and uses a high-stability, temperature-controlled crystal oscillator within the module to achieve local time recovery. Simultaneously, it provides a precise time reference for the main unit 1 and the subarray controller 9, ensuring the clock synchronization accuracy of the subarray controller 9 is within 6.25 μs. High-precision time synchronization is established with the subarray controller 6 via the PTP synchronization protocol, ensuring time consistency across all parts of the system. The time controller 6 receives the ignition pulse from the navigation system 7 and forwards it to the subarray controller 9 to ignite the air gun 11, while simultaneously returning the CTB pulse (including firing confirmation and actual firing time) to the navigation system 7. This method combines the accuracy of satellite time signals with the stability of a local, high-stability crystal oscillator, ensuring the system's time accuracy in a marine environment. High-precision time synchronization is crucial for the accurate ignition and data synchronization of the air gun control system, directly affecting the quality of exploration data. In this embodiment, the time controller 6 uses a temperature-controlled crystal oscillator with a temperature range of ±0.1℃, achieving a frequency stability of up to 10^ -10 Level. Upon receiving BeiDou or GPS signals, the system fine-tunes the crystal oscillator frequency based on the received precise time information, ensuring a high degree of synchronization between the local clock and UTC time. This high-precision time synchronization guarantees time consistency for all devices in the system, playing a crucial role in precisely controlling the air gun firing time, coordinating the synchronous operation of multiple subarrays, and subsequent data processing.

[0026] The gun cable winch 8 is a device responsible for raising and lowering the gun cable.

[0027] The subarray controller 9 is responsible for communication conversion, voltage conversion, and bus conversion functions, enabling data interaction between underwater equipment and deck equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, data transmission with the main unit 1; establishing high-precision time synchronization with the time controller 6 via the PTP synchronization protocol, with a synchronization period of 1 second; converting the voltage provided by the deck power supply unit 5 to power the air gun controller 10 as needed; and collecting and forwarding data collected by the air guns 11. The subarray controller 9 is connected to the gun cable winch 8 and the air gun controller 10 via gun cables. The subarray controller 9 manages several air gun controllers 10, and each air gun controller 10 controls several air guns 11. One subarray controller 9 and the air gun controllers 10 and air guns 11 under its management constitute a subarray. In the embodiments of the present invention, each subarray controller 9 manages 8 air gun controllers 10, and each air gun controller 10 controls 2 air guns 11, that is, each subarray controller 9 manages 16 air guns 11. In actual implementation, the number of air gun controllers 10 and air guns 11 may be fewer or more than shown in the figure, and this application does not limit this.

[0028] Each subarray is designed as an independent module, located below the water surface and mounted on a davit beneath the buoy. This innovative modular design and installation location echo the modular design concept, simplifying the system structure and making the subarray controller 9 easy to disassemble for maintenance. When maintenance or replacement of the subarray controller 9 is required, technicians can operate directly underwater without having to pull the entire system back to the deck.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the subarray controller 9 is connected to the large end 12 of the gun cable, and is connected to the deck interface unit 4 using VDSL long cable transmission technology. The small outer diameter of the large end 12 of the gun cable facilitates subsequent deck gun deployment and retrieval operations. The high-pressure air pipe 13 is located outside the subarray controller 9. Since no high-pressure air pipe 13 passes through the module, the module design and manufacturing process are relatively simple, reducing the overall system cost while meeting production requirements. Simultaneously, the use of VDSL long cable transmission technology for high-speed data transmission, achieving transmission rates of tens of Mbps, is sufficient to meet the needs of real-time control and data acquisition. This optimizes the system's data transmission method, eliminates the need for photoelectric conversion, avoids complex fiber optic systems, and improves the system's operability and reliability.

[0030] The air gun controller 10 is connected to the subarray controller 9 and the air gun 11 via a gun cable. The air gun controller 10 receives the firing command from the subarray controller 9, accurately fires the air gun 11, collects the gun motion sensor and near-field wavelet signal, monitors the gun depth and gun pressure sensors and sends the data back to the host 1, controls the opening and closing of the lock valve, and interacts with the host 1 through the subarray controller 9 to monitor and analyze the firing quality of the air gun 11.

[0031] Air gun 11 is responsible for generating underwater vibration sources. Based on the received predetermined electrical signal, high-pressure air is released into the water through the air gun to form oscillating bubbles, which then propagate acoustic pulses in all directions.

[0032] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the air gun control method provided by the present invention mainly includes three stages: preparation stage, firing stage, and data transmission stage.

[0033] The preparation phase includes, S1. Start the system: Turn on the deck power supply unit 5, and supply power to the subarray controller 9 and the air gun controller 10 through the deck interface unit 4 and the gun cable winch 8. Next, turn on the time controller 6 to receive GPS signals and perform real-time time calibration. After the time calibration is completed, turn on the manifold pressure 2 and the main unit 1.

[0034] S2. System Readiness Confirmation: Host 1 obtains status information from Time Controller 6, Subarray Controller 9 and Air Gun Controller 10 to confirm that each device in the system is ready.

[0035] Regarding the firing phase, including, S3. Construction parameter settings: Navigation 7 sends the list of excitation source numbers for this construction to host 1 (the numbers of subarray controller 9, air gun controller 10, and air gun 11 involved in the construction), and host 1 forwards this information to time controller 6.

[0036] S4. Firing Command Transmission: After the vessel arrives at the construction site according to the coordinates set by navigation 7, navigation 7 sends a firing command (only specifying the firing time) to time controller 6. Time controller 6 receives the list of excitation source numbers and the firing command, timestamps them, and then sends them to the subarray controller 9 and air gun controller 10 participating in the construction.

[0037] S5. Air gun firing: The air gun controller 10 controls the air gun 11 to fire according to the received firing command (including the list of firing source numbers and the firing command).

[0038] For the data return phase, including, S6. Data Acquisition and Transmission: After the air gun 11 completes the ignition action, the relevant sensors on the air gun 11, including the hydrophone, pressure sensor, depth sensor, and gun motion sensor, will transmit the collected monitoring data back to the subarray controller 9, and then back to the host 1 through the deck interface unit 4 and the network switch 3.

[0039] S7. Fire Time Calibration: The host 1 receives the returned data, calculates the firing time deviation based on the waveform collected after each firing of the air gun 11, and sends it back to the air gun controller 10 via the subarray controller 9. The air gun controller 10 performs offset calibration in the next firing action. After calibration, the error between the firing time of the air gun 11 and the theoretical firing time is no more than 1ms.

[0040] At this point, the control process of the air gun 11 is complete. As long as this process is kept intact during the subsequent continuous operation of the system, it can be ensured that the air gun 11 can be fired synchronously.

[0041] The actual ignition time of the air gun 11 will be transmitted back to the navigation system 7, which will record the time for use in post-construction data analysis and other tasks.

[0042] This example demonstrates how the eLink system achieves high-precision air gun control and data acquisition through the collaborative work of its various modules, showcasing the advantages of the system's modular design, high-precision time synchronization, and data transmission.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present invention can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0044] This invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0045] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0046] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0047] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air gun control system, characterized in that, Includes main unit, manifold pressure, network switch, deck interface unit, deck power supply unit, time controller and subarray; The host is connected to the manifold pressure via a serial cable to display the data information returned by the manifold pressure; the host is also connected to a network switch via a network cable, and is connected to various subsystems through the network switch to issue control commands and receive returned data. The deck interface unit is connected to the network switch and the deck power supply unit via a cable, providing an interface for the equipment in the deck power supply unit and subarray, as well as modulating and demodulating the long cable data transmission signal, and converting the data transmission signal into Ethernet-VDSL communication and voltage conversion. The time controller is a time receiving and control device that is connected to a network switch and a host. The subarray is connected to the deck interface unit via a gun cable. Each subarray is designed as an independent module, located below the water surface, and installed on the davit under the buoy. The subarray enables data interaction between underwater equipment and deck equipment.

2. The air gun control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of deck power supply units is at least one, the number of subarrays is at least one, the number of deck power supply units and subarrays are the same, and each deck power supply unit supplies power to a subarray independently.

3. The air gun control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The subarray includes a subarray controller, an air gun controller, and an air gun. The subarray controller manages the air gun controller, and the air gun controller controls the air gun. The subarray controller establishes high-precision time synchronization with the time controller through the PTP synchronization protocol.

4. The air gun control system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the subarray controllers manages at least one air gun controller, and each air gun controller controls at least one air gun.

5. The air gun control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the subarray controllers manages 8 air gun controllers, and each air gun controller controls 16 air guns.

6. The air gun control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air gun control system also includes navigation; The navigation system establishes a communication connection with the host computer and the time controller; The time controller receives the ignition pulse from the navigation system and forwards it to the subarray, while simultaneously returning the CTB pulse to the navigation system.

7. The air gun control system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A gun cable winch is also provided between the deck interface unit and the subarray for raising and lowering the gun cable. The subarray controller is connected to the gun cable winch and the air gun controller via gun cables. The air gun controller is connected to the air gun via gun cables. The large end of the gun cable is connected to the subarray controller. The large end of the gun cable is also connected to a high-pressure air pipe, which is located outside the subarray controller.

8. A method for controlling an air gun, characterized in that, The method is applied to the air gun control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 above; The method includes a preparation phase, a firing phase, and a data transmission phase. The preparation phase includes, S1. Start the system: Turn on the deck power supply unit to supply power to the subarray controller and air gun controller through the deck interface unit and the gun cable winch. Then, turn on the time controller to receive GPS signals and perform real-time time calibration. After the time calibration is completed, turn on the manifold pressure and the main unit. S2. System Readiness Confirmation: The host obtains status information from the time controller, subarray controller and air gun controller to confirm that each device in the system is ready. Regarding the firing phase, including, S3, Construction Parameter Settings: The navigation system sends a list of excitation source numbers for this construction to the host, and the host forwards this information to the time controller; S4. Firing command transmission: After the ship arrives at the construction site according to the coordinates set by the navigation, the navigation sends a firing command to the time controller. The time controller receives the list of excitation source numbers and the firing command, timestamps them, and then sends them to the sub-array controller and air gun controller participating in the construction. S5, Air Gun Activation: The air gun controller activates the air gun according to the received firing command. For the data return phase, including, S6. Data Acquisition and Transmission: After the air gun completes the ignition action, the sensor on the air gun will send the collected monitoring data back to the subarray controller, and then back to the host through the deck interface unit and network switch. S7. Fire Time Calibration: The host receives the returned data, calculates the fire time deviation based on the waveform collected after each air gun firing, and sends it back to the air gun controller via the subarray controller. The air gun controller performs offset calibration in the next firing action. After calibration, the error between the air gun firing time and the theoretical firing time is no more than 1ms.

9. The air gun control method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The excitation source number list mentioned in step S3 includes the subarray controller number, air gun controller number, and air gun number participating in the construction.

10. The air gun control method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The sensors mentioned in step S6 include a hydrophone, a pressure sensor, a depth sensor, and a gun motion sensor.

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