Equipment for positioning and timing submarine node instrument
By combining surface transceiver controllers and underwater communication units with satellite signals and underwater acoustic communication, the high cost and high power consumption problems of positioning and timing of instruments at seabed nodes have been solved, achieving low-cost, low-power accurate positioning and timing, avoiding data loss, and improving construction efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422530216.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-18
AI Technical Summary
Because seabed node instruments cannot receive radio signals, positioning and timing costs are high, power consumption is large, and data is lost and unusable when restarting.
It employs a surface transceiver controller and an underwater communication unit, utilizes satellite signals for positioning and timing, and combines underwater acoustic communication to achieve precise positioning and timing of seabed nodes. It is powered by rechargeable batteries and solar panels, reducing equipment costs and power consumption.
It enables low-cost, low-power underwater node instrument positioning and timing, avoids data loss during restart, and improves construction efficiency and data acquisition accuracy.
Smart Images
Figure CN223503039U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of seabed node instrument positioning and timing technology, specifically to equipment used for seabed node instrument positioning and timing. Background Technology
[0002] Seafloor nodal instruments (OBNs) are widely used in offshore oil, gas, and other mineral exploration due to their advantages such as minimal impact from the surface environment during deployment, high-quality data acquisition, and high construction efficiency. During field operations, OBNs continuously collect and record data. After retrieval, the data needs to be segmented using the excitation times of the shot points to form the required shot point data. Therefore, the location information and clock accuracy of the OBNs are critical technical indicators; time accuracy must reach the microsecond level, and positioning accuracy must reach the centimeter level. However, because seafloor nodal seismographs are deployed on the seabed, they cannot receive radio signals normally and cannot use satellite positioning and timing like land-based instruments. Therefore, almost all seafloor nodal seismographs currently use high-precision atomic clocks as their own clocks, but this presents some challenges for the widespread application of seafloor nodal seismographs.
[0003] High cost: The cost of an atomic clock used for time synchronization is about 40,000 yuan, accounting for more than 60% of the cost of node instruments; positioning requires a special secondary positioning system and positioning vessel, which increases construction costs.
[0004] High power consumption: affects the continuous working time of node instruments underwater, reducing construction efficiency;
[0005] If the instrument restarts, it will lose time and location information, rendering the collected data unusable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design equipment for positioning and timing of instruments at seabed nodes to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for positioning and timing of instruments at seabed nodes, in order to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0008] The device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments includes a surface transceiver controller and an underwater communication unit. The underwater communication unit is located below the surface transceiver controller. A rigid connecting rod is provided between the underwater communication unit and the surface transceiver controller. A wired cable is provided between the surface transceiver controller and the underwater communication unit. The surface transceiver controller is electrically connected to the underwater communication unit through the wired cable.
[0009] The surface transceiver controller includes a positioning and timing module, a high-speed wireless communication module, and a first MCU.
[0010] The positioning and timing module is used to obtain the precise position and timing signal of the surface communication controller, the high-speed wireless communication module is used to communicate with the positioning and timing status control host (CCU), and the MCU is used to process and analyze the acquired information.
[0011] The underwater communication unit includes an underwater acoustic transceiver, an underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, and a second MCU. The underwater acoustic transceiver is used to communicate with the seabed node via underwater acoustics, send positioning and timing messages to the seabed node, and receive responses from the seabed node. The MCU is used to process and analyze the positioning and timing messages.
[0012] The surface transceiver controller is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an interface. The first MCU is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. A solar panel is provided at the input terminal of the rechargeable battery. A charging circuit is provided between the solar panel and the input terminal of the rechargeable battery.
[0013] The underwater communication unit is equipped with a power supply, which is connected to the underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, the underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, and the second MCU.
[0014] In the above technical solution, the device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] (1) The underwater node instrument positioning and timing device provided by this utility model has low operating cost, does not require a special secondary positioning system and positioning vessel, has low power consumption, and can avoid the situation where the instrument loses time and location information if it restarts, resulting in unusable collected data.
[0016] (2) The surface transceiver controller can receive the positioning and timing signals sent by the satellite, calculate the precise position and precise timing signal of the surface transceiver controller, communicate with the positioning and timing status monitoring host (CCU), be controlled by the positioning and timing status monitoring host, and report the precise position information obtained by the satellite positioning module and the ranging delay of the seabed node.
[0017] (3) Through the dedicated underwater acoustic communication circuit and underwater acoustic transducer of the underwater communication unit, it can complete communication with the seabed node, send positioning commands to the seabed node and receive the positioning response from the seabed node, measure the time delay between the positioning command and the positioning response, and report the delay time to the positioning and timing status monitoring host (CCU). The positioning and timing status monitoring host (CCU) completes the positioning of the seabed node through the positioning algorithm. The underwater communication node also sends timing information to the seabed node through the dedicated underwater acoustic communication circuit and underwater acoustic transducer. The seabed node uses the received timing information to correct its local clock in order to obtain a high-precision clock for data acquisition. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first connection structure between the surface transceiver controller and the underwater communication unit provided in an embodiment of the device for positioning and timing of underwater node instruments according to this utility model.
[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second connection structure between the surface transceiver controller and the underwater communication unit provided in an embodiment of the device for positioning and timing of underwater node instruments according to this utility model.
[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of the surface transceiver controller provided in an embodiment of the device for positioning and timing of underwater node instruments according to this utility model.
[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the underwater communication unit structure provided in an embodiment of the device for positioning and timing of underwater node instruments according to this utility model.
[0023] 1. Surface transceiver controller; 2. Rigid linkage; 3. Underwater communication unit; 4. Wired cable; 5. Chain; 6. Counterweight. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0025] Example 1, as Figure 1-4 As shown in the figure, the device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a surface transceiver controller 1 and an underwater communication unit 3. The underwater communication unit 3 is disposed below the surface transceiver controller 1. A rigid connecting rod 2 is provided between the underwater communication unit 3 and the surface transceiver controller 1. A wired cable 4 is provided between the surface transceiver controller 1 and the underwater communication unit 3. The surface transceiver controller 1 is electrically connected to the underwater communication unit 3 through the wired cable 4.
[0026] In this embodiment, the length of the rigid link 2 can be changed according to requirements. The surface transceiver controller 1 can receive satellite signals to obtain the precise position and timing signal of the surface communication controller. The surface communication controller also communicates with the positioning and timing status control host (CCU) through a high-speed wireless communication module, accepts the latter's control, and sends its precise position and the propagation delay obtained from ranging the seabed node to the latter. The underwater communication unit 3 can communicate with the seabed node through underwater acoustic communication, send ranging commands to the seabed node, and the seabed node returns a ranging response. The underwater communication unit measures the propagation delay between the ranging command and the ranging response and reports this delay information to the positioning and timing status control host (CCU), which then obtains the precise position of the seabed node through a positioning algorithm. The underwater communication unit also sends a high-precision timing signal to the seabed node. After receiving the timing signal, the seabed node corrects its local reference clock to provide a high-precision clock for seabed node data acquisition.
[0027] The surface transceiver controller 1 includes a positioning and timing module, a high-speed wireless communication module, and a first MCU. The positioning and timing module is used to obtain the precise position and timing signal of the surface communication controller. The high-speed wireless communication module is used to communicate with the positioning and timing status control host (CCU). The MCU is used to process and analyze the acquired information. The surface transceiver controller (1) is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an interface. The first MCU is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. A solar panel is provided at the input end of the rechargeable battery. A charging circuit is provided between the solar panel and the input end of the rechargeable battery.
[0028] In another embodiment, the MCU is a microcontroller that can charge a rechargeable battery via a solar panel. The solar panel needs to be placed above the water surface. The rechargeable battery can power the positioning and timing module, the high-speed wireless communication module, the first MCU, and the interface. The high-speed wireless communication module enables bidirectional high-speed wireless communication between the node positioning and timing unit (PTU) and the positioning and timing status monitoring host (CCU). It can use satellite communication, 4G / 5G mobile communication, wireless bridge, or other wireless communication technologies. The positioning and timing module can receive satellite signals to achieve accurate positioning and timing. The interface provides an information exchange channel and power supply between the surface transceiver controller 1 and the underwater communication unit 3. The first MCU is used to implement the control, management, protocol parsing, and algorithms of the node positioning and timing unit, such as transmission and reception timing, data packetization, depackaging, and parsing.
[0029] In other embodiments, the solar panel may also use a hydroelectric power generation device. When using a hydroelectric power generation device, the hydroelectric power generation device needs to be arranged underwater. At the same time, in each functional unit, except for the equipment that must work outside the water surface, such as the high-speed wireless communication module and the positioning and timing module, the other functional units can be arranged in either the surface transceiver controller 1 or the underwater communication unit 3. Similarly, except for the underwater acoustic transceiver, the other functional units can be arranged in either the surface transceiver controller 1 or the underwater communication unit 3.
[0030] The underwater communication unit 3 includes an underwater acoustic transceiver, an underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, and a second MCU. The underwater acoustic transceiver is used to communicate with the seabed node via underwater acoustics and send ranging commands to the seabed node. The MCU is used to process and analyze the ranging information. The underwater communication unit 3 is equipped with a power supply, which is connected to the underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, the underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, the underwater acoustic transceiver, and the second MCU.
[0031] In another embodiment, the underwater communication unit 3 sends a ranging command to the seabed node via an underwater acoustic transducer. After receiving the ranging command, the seabed node replies with a ranging response. The underwater communication unit 3 measures the propagation delay between the ranging command and the ranging response, and reports this delay information to the positioning and timing status control host (CCU). The CCU then obtains the precise location of the seabed node through a positioning algorithm. The underwater communication unit 3 also sends a high-precision timing signal to the seabed node. After receiving the timing signal, the seabed node corrects its local reference clock to provide a high-precision clock for data acquisition. The connector interfaces with the surface transceiver control unit, providing an information exchange channel and power supply between the two. The second MCU is the control core of the underwater communication unit 3, used to implement the control, management, protocol parsing, and algorithms of the underwater communication unit, such as sending ranging commands and measuring the ranging response delay returned by the underwater node.
[0032] Example 2
[0033] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a surface transceiver controller 1 and an underwater communication unit 3. The underwater communication unit 3 is disposed on the upper side of the surface transceiver controller 1. A chain 5 is provided between the underwater communication unit 3 and the surface transceiver controller 1. A wired cable 4 is provided between the surface transceiver controller 1 and the underwater communication unit 3. The surface transceiver controller 1 is electrically connected to the underwater communication unit 3 through the wired cable 4. A counterweight 6 is disposed on the lower side of the underwater communication unit 3.
[0034] In this embodiment, the length of the chain 5 can be changed according to requirements. If the underwater communication unit 3 has a built-in depth sensor, position sensor and attitude sensor, and the underwater node is perceived relative to the surface transceiver controller 1 through the depth sensor, position sensor and attitude sensor, then the surface transceiver controller 1 and the underwater communication unit 3 can be connected by only the chain 5, and the counterweight 6 is not necessary. This allows the node positioning and timing unit to perceive the relative position between the surface transceiver controller 1 and the underwater communication unit 3 in real time through the depth sensor, position sensor and attitude sensor.
[0035] The foregoing description only illustrates certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A device for positioning and timing of underwater node instruments, comprising a surface transceiver controller (1) and an underwater communication unit (3), characterized in that, The underwater communication unit (3) is located below the surface transceiver controller (1). A rigid connecting rod (2) is provided between the underwater communication unit (3) and the surface transceiver controller (1). A wired cable (4) is provided between the surface transceiver controller (1) and the underwater communication unit (3). The surface transceiver controller (1) is electrically connected to the underwater communication unit (3) through the wired cable (4).
2. The device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface transceiver controller (1) includes a positioning and timing module, a high-speed wireless communication module, and a first MCU.
3. The device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning and timing module is used to obtain the precise position and timing signal of the surface communication controller, the high-speed wireless communication module is used to communicate with the positioning and timing status control host (CCU), and the MCU is used to process and analyze the acquired information.
4. The device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The underwater communication unit (3) includes an underwater acoustic transceiver, an underwater acoustic transceiver circuit, and a second MCU. The underwater acoustic transceiver is used to communicate with the seabed node via underwater acoustics, send positioning and timing messages to the seabed node, and receive the response from the seabed node. The MCU is used to process and analyze the positioning and timing messages.
5. The device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water surface transceiver controller (1) is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an interface. The first MCU is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. A solar panel is provided at the input end of the rechargeable battery. A charging circuit is provided between the solar panel and the input end of the rechargeable battery.
6. The device for positioning and timing of seabed node instruments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The underwater communication unit (3) is equipped with a power supply, which is connected to the underwater acoustic transceiver circuit and the second MCU.