Commercial blasting systems, apparatuses, devices, and associated methods

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless buryable or buried devices, such as wireless commercial-blasting-related devices (eg. wireless initiation devices), configured to wirelessly communicate with each other and / or remote systems, apparatuses or devices by way of through- the-earth (TTE) signal communication, wherein a given wireless buryable or buried device is formed from multiple modules that are assembled together (e.g., in-field), and wherein two or more modules of the given wireless buryable or buried device each carry a wireless signal transfer unit configured to provide or perform module-to-module wireless signal transfer by which wireless information signals and / or wireless power signals are communicable to and usable by this same wireless buryable or buried device itself, such that the wireless buryable or buried device provides or performs self-directed wireless signal transfer (e.g., with respect to wireless information signals and / or wireless power signals that originate from itself, and which are directed to itself).

Description

COMMERCIAL BLASTING SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED METHODSRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is related to the following patent application, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 701,419 entitled "Commercial Blasting Systems, Apparatuses, Devices, and Associated Methods".TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a wireless buryable or buried device configured to perform self-directed wireless signal transfer (e.g., with respect to wireless information signals and / or wireless power signals that originate from itself, and which are directed to itself).BACKGROUND

[0003] A wireless buryable or buried device, such as a wireless initiation device, which is assembled in-field from multiple separate components or modules that are configured to electrically communicate with each other when deployed in-field can exhibit component-to- component or module-to-module electrical signal transfer reliability problems, for instance, due to the presence or ingress of water or environmental contaminants (e.g., dust, dirt, mud, or environmental chemical species) into electrical connection structures by which electrical signals are transferred between particular components or modules of the wireless buryable or buried device. A need exists to overcome this problem.SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a set of wireless buryable or buried devices is provided, each wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more other wireless buryable or buried devices within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices and / or one or more systems, apparatuses, and / or devices remote from the set of wireless buryable or buried devices by way of through-the-earth (TTE) signals, each wireless buryable or buried device comprising: a plurality of modules structurally couplable or coupled together to form portions of the wireless buryable or buried device, wherein each module within the plurality of modules is configured to provide the wireless buryable or buried device with a distinct or distinguishable type of wireless buryable or buried device functionality relative to at least one other module of the plurality ofmodules of the wireless buryable or buried device, wherein the wireless buryable or buried device is configured to wirelessly communicate signals between distinct portions of itself by way of selfdirected wireless signal transfer (SD-WST) involving wireless information (Wl) signal transfer and / or wireless power (WP) signal transfer between at least two modules among the plurality of modules, wherein each of the at least two modules includes a set of transducers by which the wireless buryable or buried device performs SD-WST, wherein the plurality of modules comprises: (a) disposable command and control unit (DCCM) configurable or configured to manage or control overall functionality and / or overall operation of the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module of the wireless buryable or buried device by way of SD-WST; and at least one of: (b) a set of explosive initiation devices comprising: (i) an initiation module (IM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, wherein wireless signal transfer from the DCCM to the IM occurs by way of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and / or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT), and wireless signal transfer from the IM to the DCCM occurs by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication corresponding to or correlated with load modulation of a wireless power (WP) signal that has been communicated from the DCCM to the IM and which is backscattered or reflected from the IM to the DCCM; and (ii) an explosive booster module (EBM) structurally couplable or coupled to the IM and / or the DCCM, wherein the IM is configurable or configured to discharge energy sufficient to explosively initiate an explosive composition within the EBM in response to at least one command that has been wirelessly communicated from the DCCM to the IM; (c) a mesh networking module (MNM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output non-self- directed (NSD) mesh networking TTE (MN-TTE) signals ata MN-TTE signal center frequency to one or more other wireless buryable or buried devices forming portions or part of a mesh network with the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; and (d) an uplink communication module (UCM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals at a U-TTE signal center frequency to at least one system, apparatus, or device disposed remote from the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; and optionally one or each of: (e) a power module (PM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to transfer power signals to the DCCM by way of WP signal transfer; and (f) a sensing module (SM)structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to detect, acquire, sense, measure, or monitor a set of environmental signals and communicate data corresponding thereto to the DCCM by way of wireless information (Wl) signal transfer.

[0005] The set of wireless buryable or buried devices can include a plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices in which each of the plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a DCCM that is selectively structurally couplable or coupled in-field to one or more distinct other types of modules among a collection of distinct other types of modules such that overall functionality of the each of the plurality of wireless buryable or buried device is selectable or selected or customizable or customized in-field in association with in-field deployment of the plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices.

[0006] The set of wireless buryable or buried devices can include a first wireless initiation device having an IM, and a second wireless buryable or buried device that lacks an IM and which is configured as a TTE signal communication relay / routing node, wherein wireless signal communication occurs between the first wireless initiation device and the TTE signal communication relay / routing node by way of TTE signal communication.

[0007] The set of wireless buryable or buried devices can include at least a first or another wireless buryable or buried device providing a DCCM configured to receive and processes at least downlink TTE (D-TTE) signals having a D-TTE signal center frequency.

[0008] The set of wireless buryable or buried devices can include at least a first or another wireless buryable or buried device providing a DCCM configured to at least one of: (i) receive and / or output MN-TTE signals having a MN-TTE signal center frequency, and (ii) output U-TTE signals having a U-TTE signal center frequency.

[0009] The set of wireless buryable or buried can include a first or another wireless initiation device having an IM, wherein the DCCM of the first wireless initiation device is configured to wirelessly detect the presence of the IM of the first wireless initiation device as being part of the first wireless initiation device, and / or wirelessly detect, determine, or authenticate an identity of the IM of the first wireless initiation device. At least one of the IM and / or the DCCM of the first wireless initiation device can be configured to wirelessly detect or determine presence of the EBM of the first wireless initiation device as being part of the first wireless initiation device, and / orwirelessly detect, determine, or authenticate an identity of the EBM of the first wireless initiation device.

[0010] The DCCM and one or more other modules of each wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices can be configured to wirelessly communicate with an encoding / programming / logging / powering / charging device that is separate from and external to the set of wireless buryable or buried devices.

[0011] The set of wireless buryable or buried devices can include a first or another wireless buryable or buried device having at least one particular module configured to transition to or normally exist in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode, and which is further configured to wakeup or transition to an active mode in response to a power latching WP signal received from another module of the first buryable or buried wireless device. The power latching WP signal can have a power level that reliably turns-on a power switch of the particular module, and wherein the power latching WP signal encodes, carries, or indicates a code or identifier that categorically or uniquely corresponds to the particular module.

[0012] The set of wireless buryable or buried devices can include a first or another wireless initiation device having an IM, wherein the DCCM of the first wireless initiation device is configured to avoid or prevent issuance of an ARM command and / or a FIRE command to the IM of the first wireless initiation device until after a minimum time interval has elapsed following successful completion of an encoding / programming / logging / powering / charging process directed to the first wireless initiation device. The minimum time interval can be at least 1 hour, or multiple hours, or 1 or more days.

[0013] For a given wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices, a localized spatial region in which SD-WST occurs between one module of the given wireless blasting-related device and a different module of the given wireless blasting-related device is less than 200%, 175%, 150%, 125%, 100%, 75%, or 50%, or 25% of the overall spatial volume occupied by the given wireless blasting-related device.

[0014] TTE signal communication to, from, and / or between at least some wireless buryable or buried devices within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices can occur at one or more center frequencies between 0.1 Hz - 4 kHz, wherein SD-WST between modules of each wirelessburyable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices can occur at one or more center frequencies between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. For instance, SD-WST between certain modules of at least particular wireless buryable or buried devices within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices can occur at one or more center frequencies between 20 kHz - 50 kHz.

[0015] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a set of wireless initiation devices, each wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more other wireless initiation devices within the set of initiation devices and / or one or more systems, apparatuses, and / or devices remote from the set of wireless initiation devices by way of through-the-earth (TTE) signals, each wireless initiation device comprising: a plurality of modules structurally couplable or coupled together to form portions of the wireless initiation device, wherein the plurality of modules includes at least two modules configured to wirelessly communicate signals between each other by way of self-directed wireless signal transfer (SD-WST), wherein each of the at least two modules includes a set of transducers by which SD-WST between the at least two modules occurs, wherein the at least two modules comprise: (a) a disposable command and control unit (DCCM) configurable or configured to manage or control overall functionality and / or overall operation of the wireless initiation device, and which is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module of the wireless initiation device by way of SD-WST; and (b) a set of explosive initiation devices comprising: (i) an initiation module (IM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, wherein wireless signal transfer from the DCCM to the IM occurs by way of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and / or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT), and wireless signal transfer from the IM to the DCCM occurs by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication corresponding to or correlated with load modulation of a wireless power (WP) signal that has been communicated from the DCCM to the IM and which is backscattered or reflected from the IM to the DCCM; and (ii) an explosive booster module (EBM) structurally couplable or coupled to the IM and / or the DCCM, wherein the IM is configurable or configured to discharge energy sufficient to explosively initiate an explosive composition within the EBM in response to at least one command that has been wirelessly communicated from the DCCM to the IM.

[0016] For each wireless initiation device at least one of the IM and / or the DCCM is configured to wirelessly detect or determine presence of the EBM as being part of the first wireless initiation device, and / or wirelessly detect, determine, or authenticate an identity of the EBM.

[0017] At least a first wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices can include a DCCM configured to receive and processes at least downlink TTE (D-TTE) signals having a D-TTE signal center frequency.

[0018] At least a first or another wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices can include a DCCM configured to at least one of: (i) receive and / or output non-self- directed (NSD) mesh networking TTE (MN-TTE) signals having a MN-TTE signal center frequency, and (ii) output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals having a U-TTE signal center frequency.

[0019] At least a first or another wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices includes at least one of: (a) a mesh networking module (MNM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output non-self-directed (NSD) mesh networking TTE (MN-TTE) signals at a MN-TTE signal center frequency to one or more other wireless initiation devices forming portions or part of a mesh network with the first wireless initiation device, and which is also configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; (b) an uplink communication module (UCM) structurally couplable of coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals at a U-TTE signal frequency to at least one system, apparatus, or device disposed remote from the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable of configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; (c) a power module (PM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to transfer power signals to the DCCM by way of WP signal transfer; and (d) a sensing module (SM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to detect, acquire, sense, measure, or monitor a set of environmental signals and communicate data corresponding thereto to the DCCM by way of wireless information (Wl) signal transfer.

[0020] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a commercial blasting system comprises a plurality of wireless blasting-related devices disposed in an array of blastholes corresponding to a blast pattern, wherein each blasthole contains an explosive composition, andwherein the plurality of wireless blasting-related devices comprises: a plurality of wireless initiation devices, wherein each wireless initiation device is configured to (i) receive and process downlink through-the-earth (D-TTE) signals, and / or (ii) receive, process, and output non-self- directed (NSD) mesh networking through-the-earth (MN-TTE) signals, wherein each wireless initiation device comprises a plurality of modules structurally couplable or coupled together to form portions of the wireless initiation device, wherein for each wireless initiation device each module within the plurality of modules thereof is configured to provide the wireless initiation device with a distinct or distinguishable type of wireless initiation device functionality relative to at least one other module of the plurality of modules of the wireless initiation device, wherein each wireless initiation device is configured to wirelessly communicate signals between distinct portions of itself by way of self-directed wireless signal transfer (SD-WST) involving wireless information (Wl) signal transfer and / or wireless power (WP) signal transfer between at least two modules among the plurality of modules of the wireless initiation device, wherein each of the at least two modules includes a set of transducers by which the wireless initiation device performs SD-WST, and wherein the plurality of modules of each wireless initiation device comprises: (a) a disposable command and control unit (DCCM) configurable or configured to manage or control overall functionality and / or overall operation of the wireless initiation device, and which is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module of the wireless initiation by way of SD-WST; and (b) a set of explosive initiation devices comprising: (i) an initiation module (IM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, wherein wireless signal transfer from the DCCM to the IM occurs by way of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and / or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT), and wireless signal transfer from the IM to the DCCM occurs by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication corresponding to or correlated with load modulation of a wireless power (WP) signal that has been communicated from the DCCM to the IM and which is backscattered or reflected from the IM to the DCCM; and (ii) an explosive booster module (EBM) structurally couplable or coupled to the IM and / or the DCCM, wherein the IM is configurable or configured to discharge energy sufficient to explosively initiate an explosive composition within the EBM in response to at least one command that has been wirelessly communicated from the DCCM to the IM.

[0021] The DCCM of each wireless initiation device can be configured to receive and process at least D-TTE signals.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the DCCM of each wireless initiation device can be configured to receive and process MN-TTE signals; or each wireless initiation device can include a mesh networking module (MNM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM of the wireless initiation device, wherein the MNM of the wireless initiation device is configurable or configured to receive MN-TTE signals from one or more other wireless initiation devices forming portions or part of a mesh network, process received MN-TTE signals, and output MN-TTE signals to the one or more other wireless initiation devices forming portions or part of the mesh network, and wherein the MNM of each wireless initiation device is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM of the wireless initiation device by way of SD-WST.

[0023] One or more wireless initiation devices in the commercial blasting system can further include one or more of: (c) an uplink communication module (UCM) structurally couplable of coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals at a U-TTE signal frequency to at least one system, apparatus, or device disposed remote from the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable of configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; (d) a power module (PM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to transfer power signals to the DCCM by way of WP signal transfer; and (e) a sensing module (SM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to detect, acquire, sense, measure, or monitor a set of environmental signals and communicate data corresponding thereto to the DCCM by way of wireless information (Wl) signal transfer.

[0024] In the commercial blasting system, the plurality of wireless blasting-related devices can further include at least one TTE signal communication relay / routing node, wherein each TTE signal communication relay / routine node omits or excludes each of an IM and an EBM.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIGs. 1A- IB are schematic illustrations of representative multi-module wireless initiation devices configurable or configured for self-directed module-to-module wireless signal transfer (SD-MM-WST) in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIGs. 1C- IF are schematic illustrations of representative multi-module wireless initiation devices configurable or configured for SD-MM-WST, and also configurable or configured for NSD-WST involving an external encoder in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIGs. 2A - 2C are schematic illustrations showing representative aspects of antenna configurations suitable for SD-MM-WST in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIGs. 3A - 3C are block diagrams showing aspects of electronic circuitry configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST involving simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT) involving a disposable communication and control module (DCCM) and an initiation module (IM) corresponding to a prototype wireless initiation device in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3D is a graph showing representative signal traces corresponding to the DCCM, the IM, and an initiation device (ID) of the IM, as measured during in-lab testing of SWIPT / TWIPT provided or performed by a prototype wireless initiation device in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a multi-module wireless initiation devices which includes a power module (PM) configurable or configured to transfer power to a DCCM by way of self-directed wireless power transfer (SD-WPT) in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of a PM configurable or configured for power harvesting in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a wireless initiation device which includes a sensing module (SM) configurable or configured to sense, detect, acquire, measure, or monitor environmental signals and communicate with a DCCM by way of self-directed wireless information transfer (SD-WIT) in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a SM configurable or configured to sense, detect, acquire, measure, or monitor environmental signals and communicate with a DCCM by way of SWIPT / TWIPT in which the SM is powerable or powered by way of SD-WPT originating from the DCCM in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a multi-module wireless initiation device which includes a mesh networking module (MNM) configurable or configured for SD-WST involving a DCCM, as well as non-self-directed (NSD) mesh networking through-the-earth (MN-TTE) signal communication in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a multi-module wireless initiation device which includes an uplink communication module (UCM) configurable or configured for SD-WST involving a DCCM, as well as NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signal communication in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a multi-module wireless initiation device which includes a UCM configurable or configured for SD-WST involving a DCCM, as well as NSD U-TTE signal communication, wherein the UCM additionally includes portions of a SM in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a multi-module TTE signal communication relay / routing node which includes a DCCM, a MNM, and a UCM, and which lacks or excludes devices configurable or configured to intentionally cause explosive initiation in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a given module of a wireless buryable or buried device, which is configurable or configured to receive and process / analyze power latching WP signals and wake-up or transition to an active mode in the event that a received power latching WP signal corresponds to the given module in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 10A is a schematic illustration of a commercial blasting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a plurality of wireless initiation devices configured to wirelessly communicate among each other by way of TTE mesh networking signals,wherein a portion or module of each wireless initiation device is also configured to wirelessly communicate with another portion or module of the same wireless initiation device by way of SD- WST.

[0040] FIG. 10B is a schematic illustration of a commercial blasting system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a plurality of TTE signal communication relay / routing nodes configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of wireless initiation devices by way of TTE signal communication, wherein the plurality of wireless initiation devices is configured to wirelessly communicate among each other by way of TTE mesh networking signals, and wherein a portion or module of each wireless initiation device is also configured to wirelessly communicate with another portion or module of the same wireless initiation device by way of SD-WST.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOverview

[0041] Multiple embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to commercial / industrial systems, apparatuses, processes, techniques, and methods that relate to, involve, or include covered (e.g., covered or shielded by one or more natural and / or artificial materials or substances), subterranean / subsurface / buryable or buried / underground / in- ground, in-rock (e.g., within boreholes formed in a portion of a geologic formation), rock-covered / rock-surrounded / rock-enclosed, in-cave, and / or sunken / submerged devices configurable or configured to operate and wirelessly communicate (e.g., receive and / or send information signals corresponding to commands and / or data) in environments in which wireless signal communication solely by way of conventional through-the-air (TTA) signal communication based on electromagnetic wave propagation can be inefficient, ineffective, problematic, impractical, or effectively impossible due to the properties of one or more physical media or structures relative to or within which the devices are deployed (e.g., such that TTA signals are very strongly or essentially entirely attenuated, or effectively blocked, for instance, when a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is deployed in portions of a geologic formation). In accordance with several embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, such devices are configured to wirelessly communicate (e.g., generate, send / transmit, receive, and operate in accordance with wireless signals) in one or more manners, typically including by way of non-TTA / through-blocking-medium (TBM) / through-ground or through-the-earth (TTE) / through- rock signal communication.

[0042] For purpose of simplicity and / or brevity, in this description the term "TTE" in the context of wireless signal communication encompasses the terms "non-TTA", "through-blocking- medium", "through ground", "through-rock", and combinations thereof. In multiple embodiments, TTE signal communication involves wireless signals having a frequency between approximately 0.1 Hz - 4 kHz (e.g., between approximately 10 Hz - 3.5 kHz, or approximately 30 Hz - 3 kHz), where such signals can include or are quasi-static near-field magnetic induction (Ml) signals.

[0043] Several embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to commercial blasting (e.g., commercial explosives blasting) systems, apparatuses, processes, techniques, and methods in which the aforementioned covered, subterranean / subsurface / buryable or buried / underground / in-ground, in-rock, rock-covered / rock-surrounded / rock- enclosed, in-cave, and / or sunken / submerged devices are commercial blasting-related devices, for instance, which can be configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one remote blast control system, apparatus, or device by way of TTE signal communication. Wireless blasting-related devices are typically configurable or configured to respond (e.g., selectively or programmably respond) to remotely-generated TTE command / control signals as part of supporting / aiding or carrying out one or more aspects of a commercial blasting-related operation (e.g., the explosive fragmentation of portions of a geologic formation). For purpose of simplicity and / or brevity, in the description that follows particular representative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are referred to, defined as, or considered to be wireless blasting-related devices; however, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to wireless blasting-related devices, and as such the term "wireless blasting-related device" in the description herein can in general refer to or encompass a non-blasting-related covered, subterranean / subsurface / buryable or buried / underground / in-ground, in-rock, rock- covered / rock-surrounded / rock-enclosed, in-cave, and / or sunken / submerged device that is configurable or configured for wireless signal communication in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] A wireless blasting-related device in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure can include or be a wireless initiation device. In general, a wireless initiation device in the context of the present disclosure includes at least one initiation device (e.g., which includes one or more initiation elements) configurable or configured to explosively initiate or detonate an explosive composition following or in response to wireless initiation device receipt and / or processing of particular wireless command / control signals (e.g., TTE command / control signals such as an ARM signal and a FIRE signal, respectively corresponding to an ARM command and a FIRE command). For instance, a wireless initiation device disposable or disposed in a borehole can be configurable or configured to initiate or detonate an emulsion explosive composition, such as an ammonium nitrate (ANE) or other type of emulsion explosive composition. The wireless initiation device can be or will have been loaded into a particular borehole in association with charging or loading the borehole with an explosive composition under consideration, in a manner that individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art will readily comprehend.

[0045] Notwithstanding the foregoing, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to wireless initiation devices. A wireless blasting-related device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure can be other than or exclude a wireless initiation device (e.g., a particular wireless blasting-related device can be a device that is intentionally not configurable or configured to be capable of initiating an explosive composition because it excludes explosive initiation devices or elements, and which is other than a wireless initiation device, for instance, an environmental condition or parameter sensing device; a wireless communication network node, hub, relay, switch, or router; and / or possibly a blast movement marker / monitor).

[0046] In addition to the foregoing, in embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure a given wireless blasting-related device is configurable or configured to provide or perform selfdirected wireless signal transfer (SD-WST), in which one or a particular portion of this wireless blasting-related device generates provides, produces, or outputs wireless signals that are directed to and intended to be received and used (e.g., processed / acted upon) by one or more different or other portions of this same wireless blasting-related device. In other words, a given wireless blasting-related device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with itself, such that different portions of the same wireless blasting-related device wirelessly communicate with each other. For instance,in multiple embodiments the given wireless blasting-related device includes or carries multiple WST units including at least a first WST unit and a second WST unit that correspond or belong to or reside among or within physically distinct or separate portions of this same wireless blasting device, and which are configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with each other to facilitate, provide, or perform SD-WST with respect to this same wireless blasting-related device itself. It can be noted that depending upon embodiment details, the given wireless blasting- related device can be configured to provide or perform SD-WST using TTE / through-rock signal communication, or one or more other forms of wireless signal communication.

[0047] A particular WST unit can include or be a wireless information transfer (WIT) unit configurable or configured to communicate wireless information (Wl) signals (e.g., which can correspond to or be control signals or commands, and / or data), and / or a wireless power transfer (WPT) unit configurable or configured to transfer wireless power (WP) signals (e.g., which can be converted or rectified for purpose of powering electrical circuitry and / or charging a set of energy / electrical charge storage devices by which electrical circuitry can be powered). Hence, a given wireless blasting-related device in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present disclosure can be configurable or configured to provide or perform self-directed WIT (SD-WIT) by way of self-directed Wl (SD-WI) signal communication between or among particular physically distinct or separate portions of itself, and / or self-directed WPT (SD-WPT) by way of self-directed WP (SD-WP) signal transfer between or among specific physically distinct or separate portions of itself, depending upon embodiment, wireless blasting-related device programming, and / or situational / environmental details.

[0048] In several embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, a given wireless blasting-related device is formed from a plurality of physically distinct or i nitially-sepa rate types of components, parts, pieces, or modules (which can be referred to hereafter as "modules"), including multiple modules that each carry (e.g., which each include therein) a WST unit (e.g., at least one WST unit), where each WST unit includes or is a WIT unit and / or a WPT unit. After such modules have been positioned, placed, combined, assembled, joined, or linked together (e.g., infield, as part of wireless blasting-related device deployment) to form the given complete wireless blasting-related device, one or more particular modules of this wireless blasting-related device are configurable or configured to provide or perform selective or selectable (e.g., programmably controlled) self-directed module-to-module WST (SD-MM-WST), which includes or is self-directedmodule-to-module WIT (SD-MM-WIT) and / or self-directed module-to-module WPT (SD-MM- WPT) intended for or directed to one or more other modules of this same wireless blasting-related device itself.

[0049] With respect to SD-M M-WST, in multiple embodiments wireless signals that are generatable or generated (e.g., selectively or programmably generated) by a particular module of a given wireless blasting-related device are intended (e.g., specifically intended) for receipt and use by or within at least one other (e.g., at least one specific) module of this same wireless blasting-related device (e.g., this single / singular wireless initiation device itself, and not another or a different wireless initiation device). Thus, a particular module of a specific multi-module wireless blasting-related device configurable or configured or enabled for SD-MM-WST can selectively or selectably produce or output (e.g., in association with the execution of a set of program instructions, or a set of state machine transitions) SD-MM-WST signals, such that one or more other modules of this same wireless blasting-related device can receive and / or utilize these SD-MM-WST signals (e.g., and which another wireless blasting-related device may not be enabled to utilize, or may not be capable of receiving and / or utilizing).

[0050] In some embodiments, a given multi-module wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a multi-module wireless initiation device) is configurable or configured to provide or perform with respect to itself (e.g., between two or more of its own components) SD-MM-WST, and is further configurable or configured to provide or perform non-self-directed WST (NSD-WST) with respect to (a) one or more other wireless blasting-related devices (e.g., by way of wireless mesh network signal communication), and / or (b) one or more other types of external / remote systems, apparatuses, or devices (e.g., an encoding device or encoder configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the given wireless blasting-related device, such as for programming / testing / logging / powering / charging thereof; or a remote apparatus or device associated with a remote blast control system), where such NSD-WST involves the communication of wireless signals to (i) the other wireless blasting-related device(s) (e.g., one or more other distinct wireless initiation devices), and / or (ii) the other external / remote system(s), apparatus(es), or device(s), respectively. In multiple embodiments, SD-MM-WST occurs by way of, in accordance with, or using a first set of wireless signal frequencies, and NSD-WST occurs by way of, in accordance with, or using a at least a second set of wireless signal frequencies distinguishable or distinct from the first set of wireless signal frequencies (e.g., where at least some wireless signal frequencies or allwireless signal frequencies in the first set of wireless signal frequencies are non-overlapping with respect to the wireless signal frequencies in the second set of wireless signal frequencies).

[0051] Among a plurality of wireless blasting-related devices deployable or deployed in-field (e.g., residing in boreholes across portions of a geologic formation) and which includes at least some wireless blasting-related devices configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the wireless blasting-related devices in this plurality of wireless blasting-related devices need be configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST. For instance, one or more wireless blasting-related devices within this plurality of wireless blasting-related devices can be configurable or configured to provide or perform exclusively or only NSD-WST.

[0052] A given wireless blasting-related device in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure typically includes at least two distinct or distinguishable types of portions, components, or modules (e.g., a wireless initiation device includes at least a principal or master command / control portion, component, or module; and an initiation portion, component, or module) enabled to provide or perform SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT. Such wireless blasting-related device portions, components, or modules can selectively or selectably provide SD-WIT and / or SD- WPT within and / or across portions of this wireless blasting-related device itself, where such SD- WIT and / or SD-WPT originates from, at, or within this wireless blasting-related device itself (e.g., within a selected or particular portion or component of this wireless blasting-related device), and occurs from one portion, component, or module of this wireless blasting-related device to at least one other portion, component, or module of this wireless blasting-related device (e.g., from a first portion, component, or module of the wireless blasting-related device to a distinct second portion, component, or module of the same wireless blasting-related device, where the first and second portions, components, modules are physically distinct, segregated, or separated from each other, yet are typically physically proximate or adjacent to each other to enable reliable SD- WST therebetween).

[0053] In view of the above, by way of SD-WIT (e.g., SD-MM-WIT) and / or SD-WPT (e.g., SD-MM- WPT), (a) SD-WI signals and / or (b) SD-WP signals can be wirelessly transferred or communicated (e.g., on a selective, selectable, or programmable basis) from one portion, component, or module of a given wireless blasting-related device to one or more other portions, components, or modules(e.g., at least one other physically proximate or adjacent portion, component, or module) of this same wireless blasting-related device for use thereby.

[0054] In multiple embodiments, with respect to a specific wireless blasting-related device having a plurality of modules that have been assembled together, a particular module (e.g., a first module) of this wireless blasting-related device is configurable or configured to selectively generate and transmit SD-MM-WI signals and / or SD-MM-WP signals (e.g., individually or separately, or in combination), and at least one other module (e.g., a second module) of this same wireless blasting-related device is configurable or configured to receive and use or operate in accordance with these SD-MM-WI signals and / or SD-MM-WP signals (e.g., which were produced or output by the first module) or information carried thereby. Stated analogously, with respect to a specific assembled wireless blasting-related device having at least a first module and a second module configured to provide or perform SD-MM-WST, SD-MM-WI signals and / or SD-MM-WP signals can originate from (e.g., be generated and output, communicated, or transmitted by) the first module, and can be received at and used by the second module, and / or vice versa. If this wireless blasting-related device also includes a third module configured to provide or perform SD- MM-WST, the third module may or may not be able to receive and / or utilize SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals that the first module outputs toward or to the second module, depending upon embodiment details, individual module capabilities, and / or particular module programming details.

[0055] The aforementioned SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals can be correlated with or correspond to time varying or oscillating signals, for instance, time varying electric and / or magnetic fields. In various embodiments, module-to-module information signal and / or power signal transfer can occur by way of module-to-module electromagnetic (e.g., electric field and / or magnetic field) coupling, such as by way of near-field electromagnetic coupling (e.g., non- radiative near-field coupling, and / or transition zone near-field coupling), or far-field or radiative electromagnetic wave coupling (e.g., depending upon electromagnetic signal frequency, or correspondingly, wavelength). SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals can include or be extremely low frequency (ELF), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), medium frequency (MF), high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), ultra high frequency (UHF), super high frequency (SHF), or extremely high frequency (EHF) signals, depending upon embodiment details. In a number of embodiments, a given wireless blasting-related device can be configurable or configured toprovide or perform SD-WST by way of the generation and receipt of a time varying signal (e.g., a time varying or oscillating electrical and / or magnetic field) having a frequency between approximately 5 kHz - 10 Mhz. Moreover, in embodiments configured to provide or perform both SD-WI signal transfer and SD-WP signal transfer, the SD-WI signal transfer and the SD-WP signal transfer can occur at the same frequency or within the same frequency band, or at different frequencies or within different frequency bands. In certain embodiments, SD-WI signal transfer and SD-WP signal transfer occur at one or more frequencies between 10 kHz - 500 kHz (e.g., between approximately 20 - 50 kHz in specific embodiments).

[0056] SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals can be transferred, communicated, or transmitted by way of a first set of antennas in a first module and a second set of antennas in a second module of a particular wireless blasting-related device. In a number of wireless blasting-related device embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals are transferred or transmitted from one module of the wireless blasting-related device to another module of the wireless blasting-related device by way of electromagnetic inductive coupling (e.g., module-to-module Ml signal transfer), although transfer or transmission of information signals and / or power signals in some embodiments can additionally or alternatively occur by way of capacitive coupling (e.g., module-to-module displacement current signal transfer).

[0057] In particular embodiments, SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals can include or be optical signals (e.g., infrared light signals); and in certain embodiments, SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals can include or be acoustic signals (e.g., ultrasound signals). In such embodiments, a given wireless blasting-related device module configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT includes a set of signal-type-appropriate transducers (e.g., a set of antennas and / or one or more other types of transducers) to facilitate or enable SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT.

[0058] Depending upon embodiment details, a particular wireless blasting-related device component can be configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WIT only; SD-WPT only; SD-WIT as well as SD-WPT, wherein SD-WIT and SD-WPT occur by way of separate or independent circuitry; or SD-WIT as well as SD-WPT, wherein SD-WIT and SD-WPT occur by way of shared, common, or unified circuitry, for instance, which is configured to provide concurrent or simultaneous self-directed wireless information and power transfer (SD-SWIPT), and / or selfdirected cooperative, paired, or tandem wireless information and power transfer (SD-TWIPT). Ina number of embodiments, SD-WI signals can be selectively combined with or modulated onto SD-WP signals to facilitate or provide SD-SWIPT / SD-TWIPT.

[0059] As indicated above, in a wireless blasting-related device configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST, the wireless signals originating in or output by one portion or module of the wireless blasting-related device and which are communicated or transferred to another portion or module of the wireless blasting-related device for purpose of SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT are in several embodiments intended or expected to be utilized internal or in a manner specific to this wireless blasting-related device itself (e.g., where SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT originates from, at, or within this wireless blasting-related device itself and does not involve WST intended for or directed to one or more other wireless blasting-related devices, and need not or does not involve WST intended for or directed to systems, apparatuses, or devices remote from or disposed beyond a target or maximum module-to-module communication distance corresponding to this wireless blasting-related device). In various embodiments, SD-WST parameters such as signal power level and / or signal frequency, and / or wireless signal transfer or coupling element design features / parameters (e.g., antenna type, structure, directionality, and / or placement, for instance, in association with wireless signal coupling requirements), can be selected or established (e.g., on a programmable or predetermined basis) such that for a given wireless blasting-related device, SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals are not likely or expected to be reliably detectable or detected by a system, apparatus, or device (e.g., another commercial blasting system, apparatus, or device) that is significantly separated or remote from this wireless blasting-related device (e.g., depending upon embodiment details, separated by more than approximately 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.0 cm, 4.0 cm, 5.0 cm, 7.5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, or more than 50 cm from an exterior housing of this wireless blasting-related device), for instance, another wireless blasting-related device disposed in a different borehole than this wireless blasting-related device, and in multiple embodiments another wireless blasting-related device disposed above or below this wireless blasting-related device in the same borehole (e.g., by at least 10 cm, 20 cm, or 50 cm from the exterior housing of this wireless related device).

[0060] Similarly or analogously, in some embodiments SD-MM-WI signals and SD-MM-WP signals generated by a first portion or module of a wireless blasting-related device are not likely or expected to be reliably detectable or detectable by a second portion or module of this wirelessblasting-related device if the antennas or transducers by which SD-MM-WI signal transfer and SD- MM-WP signal transfer between the first component and the second component are intended to occur are separated from each other by more than a target or predetermined maximum operational separation distance (e.g., approximately 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.0 cm, 4.0 cm, 5.0 cm, 7.5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, or more than 50 cm, depending upon embodiment details).

[0061] In some embodiments, a localized spatial region in which SD-WST between one module of a given wireless blasting-related device at which SD-MM-WI signals and / or SD-MM-WP signals originate and a different module of the given wireless blasting-related device at which these SD- MM-WI signals and / or SD-MM-WP signals are intended to be reliably received or detected can generally or typically be less than approximately 200%, 175%, 150%, 125%, 100%, 75%, or 50%, or 25% (e.g., from approximately 25% - 150%) of the overall spatial volume occupied by the given wireless blasting-related device itself, where this localized spatial region can have a profile or shape that corresponds to the profile or shape of the given wireless blasting-related device or a particular portion thereof.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, for a given wireless blasting-related device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, SD-WI signals and / or SD-WP signals can be tagged, (en)coded, or encrypted in a device-centric, device-specific, component-centric, and / or module-specific manner in order to reduce, minimize, or essentially eliminate a likelihood that (a) other systems, apparatuses, or devices external to this wireless blasting-related device can interpret, process, or operate in response to SD-WI and / or SD-WP signals that are specifically intended or expected to be used by this wireless blasting-related device itself; and / or (b) SD-MM- WI and / or SD-MM-WP signals generated by a particular portion or module of this wireless blasting-related device and which are intended for use only by a specific subset of other portions or modules of this wireless blasting-related device can be interpreted or processed by or used for operational purposes by wireless blasting-related device portions or modules not belonging to this specific subset of wireless blasting-related device portions or modules.

[0063] The aforementioned SD-WI signal and / or SD-WP signal tagging, coding, or encryption for a particular wireless blasting-related device can be unique, for instance, at least with respect to one or more aspects of a specific commercial blasting operation in which this wireless blasting-related device will be used. In certain embodiments, for a given wireless blasting-related device, its SD-WI and / or SD-WP signals can be tagged, coded, or encrypted by way of one or more portions of (i) at least one module code or ID associated with or corresponding to this wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a programmably generated code, and / or a manufacturing serial number corresponding to at least one module of this wireless blasting-related device); (b) an overall wireless blasting-related device ID or a wireless blasting-related device module group ID (e.g., which can be programmably generated based on a collection of modules that make up the wireless blasting-related device); (c) an encryption key (e.g., which can be unique to the wireless blasting-related device); (d) a commercial blasting operation ID associated with this wireless blasting-related device; and (e) a georeferenced location or geolocation corresponding to, defining, or confirming an intended or actual in-field deployment location of this wireless blasting- related device.

[0064] In conventional wireless initiation devices, electrical continuity between or across assembled wireless initiation device components is typically established through physical engagement of wire-based or wire-to-wire type connections such as electrical terminals or electrical contacts in order to facilitate or enable cross-component wire-based electrical signal transfer. More particularly, electrical continuity between conventional wireless initiation device components is typically implemented by way of conventional direct electrical connections between distinct types of wireless initiation device components that are intended to be assembled together (e.g., which are configured to matingly engage with each other). Such conventional direct electrical connections typically correspond to or are implemented by way of wire-bearing electrical connector structures, for instance, counterpart male - female electrical connector structures (e.g., "plug-in" type electrical connector structures) carried by distinct types of components of a conventional wireless initiation device, and which are intended to be assembled together in association with forming a complete conventional wireless initiation device.

[0065] In the context of a wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a wireless initiation device) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless blasting-related device's SD-MM-WST (e.g., involving its transfer of SD-MM-WI signals and / orSD-MM-WP signals from one module of the wireless blasting-related device to another module of this same wireless blasting- related device) means that the wireless blasting-related device does not require, and can omit orexclude (e.g., entirely exclude), inter-module / cross-module or module-to-module wire-based electrical signal transfer elements or structures. Wireless blasting-related device modules in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure can thus carry or contain internal electrical / electromagnetic circuitry and wiring, but avoid utilizing or omit or exclude wire-based structures or elements that would ordinarily or conventionally be used for module-to-module electrical signal transfer (e.g., electrical signal transfer between distinct modules that are intended to be assembled together in association with forming a complete wireless blasting- related device). In this sense, at least two modules ofa multi-component wireless blasting-related device in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure are wireless modules (e.g., two or more physically distinct and initially separate yet structurally joinable / linkable or joined / linked modules of a complete or fully-assembled wireless blasting-related device) that are configured to provide or perform SD-MM-WIT and / or SD-MM-WPT with respect to one to another. These at least two modules internally carry electrical / electromagnetic circuitry and wiring, but these at least two modules need not or do not utilize or include wire-based module- to-module electrical contact structures by which electrical signals are transferrable or transferred from one of the at least two modules to another of the at least two module (e.g., which would conventionally provide wire-based electrical continuity between the one of the at least two modules to the other of the at least two modules). In certain embodiments, at least some or each of such modules of a given multi-module wireless blasting-related device can be configurable or configured to provide or perform self-directed module-to-module SWIPT (SD-MM-SWIPT) / selfdirected module-to-module TWIPT (SD-MM-TWIPT).

[0066] In view of the foregoing, wireless blasting-related device (e.g., wireless initiation device) modules that are configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT can be or are entirely enclosed and / or sealed (e.g., by way of quasi-hermetic or essentially hermetic enclosure or sealing techniques, which can be employed in association with or as part of module manufacture) with respect to undesired or unwanted ingress of external substances such as water, dirt, mud, and / or chemical substances. Entirely enclosed, sealed, or encased modules that are configured to provide or perform SD-WIT and / or SD-WPT (e.g., which exclude module-to- module electrical connections) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can or are intended or expected to be impervious or essentially impervious to the ingress of undesired or unwanted external substances relative to or over the types and ranges of environmental conditions (e.g., a pressure range and a temperature range) to which such modules are likely orexpected to be subjected when the wireless blasting-related device of which they are a part is deployed in-field (e.g., when the wireless blasting-related device resides in a portion of a borehole, such as toward or near a toe portion of the borehole loaded with a column of an explosive composition).

[0067] In accordance with multiple embodiments of the present disclosure, distinct types of initially separate wireless blasting-related device modules can be assembled together as part of forming a complete wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a complete or fully-assembled multimodule wireless initiation device] following the transfer the modules to an assembly site, area, or location (e.g., a near-bench or on-bench area or location) associated with in-field deployment of the wireless blasting-related device (e.g., in a borehole, for instance, in association with charging the borehole with one or more explosive compositions). SD-WST (e.g., SD-WI signal transfer and / or SD-WP signal transfer) from one module to another module of the wireless blasting- related device reduces, minimizes, or essentially eliminates a likelihood that in-field substances (e.g., water, dirt, mud, and / or chemical substances or species) to which the wireless blasting- related device is exposed (e.g., in association with, during, or after its deployment with respect to a commercial blasting operation) can adversely affect or interfere with module-to-module signal transfer (e.g., information signal and / or electrical power signal transfer), thereby significantly enhancing wireless blasting-related device operational reliability. Moreover, when the wireless blasting-related device is deployed in-field, SD-WST from one module of the wireless blasting- related device to another module of the wireless blasting-related device can reduce (e.g., significantly or greatly reduce) the likelihood that module-to-module communication is adversely affected by dynamic shock(s) that could displace, damage, or break electrical connectors / connections (e.g., wires) between modules. Thus, SD-WST from one module to another module of the wireless blasting device can enhance (e.g., significantly or greatly enhance) wireless blasting-related device reliability with respect to or in the presence of dynamic shock(s).

[0068] For purpose of simplicity and to aid understanding, a number of wireless blasting-related devices configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST in accordance with particular non-limiting representative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below in the context of wireless initiation devices. However, as set forth above, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to wireless initiation devices.

[0069] It can be noted that in several embodiments, a wireless initiation device configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST remains in an intended or expected operationally reliable safe mode or state relative to its full range of functional capabilities during and after its assembly, and prior to and possibly for a period of time (e.g., one or more hours or days) after its assembly, encoding / programming, and / or placement or loading in a borehole, for instance, a particular borehole corresponding to a specific commercial blasting operation. For instance, while in its safe mode or state, the wireless initiation device is not enabled for or is precluded or prevented from carrying out an explosive initiation operation (e.g., the wireless initiation device is not configured to process or carry out / execute ARM and FIRE commands originating from or generated by a remote blast control system) until a minimum time interval has elapsed. In particular embodiments the wireless initiation device is intentionally activated or enabled (e.g., fully enabled) such that it is capable of carrying out an explosive initiation operation in the commercial blasting operation only in association with, during, or after its placement or loading in the borehole.Representative Aspects of Wireless Blasting-Related Devices Configured to Provide SD-WST

[0070] Aspects of wireless buryable or buried devices, including wireless blasting-related devices such as wireless initiation devices, which are configurable or configured to provide or perform SD- WST in accordance with particular non-limiting representative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail hereafter with reference to FIGs. 1A - 9. For purpose of simplicity and aiding understanding, such devices are configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-MM-WST. Additionally, for purpose of brevity and clarity, because each of the wireless buryable or buried devices or wireless blasting-related devices shown in FIGs. 1A - 9 includes multiple distinct types of modules by which the device can provide or perform SD-MM- WST, for a given wireless buryable or buried device or wireless blasting-related device under consideration or one or more modules thereof, in the description hereafter corresponding to FIGs. 1A - 9, unless indicated or directly implied otherwise reference to WST, WIT, WPT, Wl signals, Wl signal transfer, WP signals, WP signal transfer, and SWIPT / TWIPT can or shall be considered to be construed as or mean SD-MM-WST, SD-MM-WIT, SD-MM-WPT, SD-MM-WI signals, SD-MM- Wl signal transfer, SD-MM-WP signals, SD-MM-WP signal transfer, and SD-MM-SWIPT / SD-MM- TWIPT, respectively, for this wireless blasting-related device itself. In FIGs. 1A - 9, counterpart, like, analogous, or similar element reference numbers indicate counterpart, like, analogous, or similar element types or elements.

[0071] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a wireless initiation device 100a in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes at least a first component that includes or is a disposable communication and control module (DCCM) 200a; a distinct or distinguishable second component that includes or is an initiation module (IM] 400a, which in several embodiments carries at least one explosive composition therein (e.g., which is associated with or forms a portion of a detonator); and a distinct or distinguishable third component that includes or is an explodable or explosive booster module (EBM) 600 that carries one or more types of explosive compositions therein.

[0072] The DCCM 200a, the IM 400a, and the EBM 600a are provided (e.g., as-manufactured) as a plurality of multiple distinct or distinguishable modules or components (e.g., which are each individually sealed with respect to the ingress of environmental substances, such as by way of quasi-hermetic sealing), where individual modules or components are intended to be structurally coupled or assembled together (e.g., in-field or on-bench, in association with wireless initiation device deployment) as part of forming a deployable and / or operational complete or fully- assembled wireless initiation device 100, and where the complete wireless initiation device 100 excludes wire-based electrical connections between at least some adjacent modules, or across all adjacent modules. For instance, in a number of embodiments, (i) the DCCM 200a, (ii) the IM 400a, and (iii) the EBM 600a are provided as three initially separate, quasi-hermetically sealed components that are intended to be structurally coupled or joined together to form a deployable, operational, essentially complete, complete, or fully-assembled wireless initiation device 100a.

[0073] In various situations, once deployed in-field the complete wireless initiation device 100a (e.g., the complete or fully-assembled wireless initiation device 100a) is configured to reside in a hole, cavity, or recess, such as a borehole or blasthole formed in a portion of a geologic formation (e.g., in which case the wireless initiation device 100a can reside within a column of one or more explosive compositions external to the wireless initiation device 100a, where this column extends along portions of the length or depth of the borehole or blasthole). Such a wireless initiation device 100a can be referred to as a wireless primer 100a configurable or configured and intended to provide or perform WST between two or more of its own components, in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the description herein and the FIGs. associated therewith.

[0074] In several embodiments, the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a can be structurally coupled or connected to each other by way of a first set of counterpart physical engagement structures 104 configurable or configured to structurally associate, couple, join, or link the DCCM 200a with the IM 400a in an intended manner, such as one or more as male - female, push-fit / snap-fit / twist- fit / screw-fit / friction-fit physical couplers or connectors. The DCCM 200a and / or the IM 400a can be structurally coupled or connected to the EBM 600a by way of a second set of counterpart physical engagement structures 106 configurable or configured to structurally associate, couple, join, or link the DCCM 200a and / or the IM 400a with the EBM 600a, which can include one or more physical engagement structures that are the same as, similar or analogous to, or different than those by which the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a are engageable or engaged (e.g., male - female push-fit / snap-fit / twist-fit / screw-fit / friction-fit physical couplers or connectors). The aforementioned first and second sets of physical engagement structures 104, 106 need not or do not carry or incorporate wire-based or wire-to-wire type electrical connector structures or elements (e.g., electrical terminals or contacts) by which cross-component electrical continuity is conventionally established.

[0075] In general, the DCCM 200a is configured manage and / or control the operation (e.g., the overall operation) of the wireless initiation device 100a based on DCCM programming (e.g., analogous or corresponding to internally-stored program instructions that reside within a memory of the DCCM 200a) and based on or in response to (a) wireless command signals received by way of an encoding apparatus or device (e.g., a movable / (trans)portable / mobile or handheld programming device or encoder / logger that is distinct from and removable from / external to the wireless initiation device 100a, which can be used to at least query, program, and / or perform functionality diagnostics operations directed to the wireless initiation device 100a, for instance, in a manner described below in relation to FIGs. 1C - IF, such as prior to or in association with infield (e.g., in-borehole) wireless initiation device deployment; and / or (b) TTE signals received by way of a remote blast control system. The DCCM 200a is also configured to manage and / or control the operation of the IM 400a byway of WIT and / or WPT between the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a, such as in accordance with or following the DCCM's receipt and processing of particular remotely generated TTE signals (e.g., TTE signals corresponding to ARM and FIRE commands, and possibly or typically WAKE-UP commands generated by the remote blast control system and directed to this wireless initiation device 100, or a wireless initiation device group to which thiswireless initiation device 100 belongs). In representative implementations, the DCCM 200a can be similar, analogous, or correspond to or be based on an Orica WebGen™ Disposable Receiver (DRX) (Orica International Pte Ltd, Singapore).

[0076] In a number of embodiments, the IM 400a is configured to respond to instructions, commands, and / or queries received from the DCCM 200a by way of WIT, and is configured to receive power signals from the DCCM 200a by way of WPT. In several embodiments, such WIT and WPT occurs by way of SWIPT / TWIPT. In response to specific commands received from the DCCM 200a, the IM 400a is configured to selectively generate or output sufficient initiation energy (e.g., upon expiration of a programmable or programmed delay time) to cause the explosive initiation or detonation of the explosive composition(s) carried by the EBM 600a (e.g., which can or is intended to subsequently lead to the explosive initiation or detonation of the column of explosive composition(s) in the borehole in which the wireless initiation device 100 resides). In several embodiments, the IM 400a includes a portion or segment 432 configured to interface with the EBM 600a for the delivery of initiation energy into the EBM 600a, and which in certain embodiments is insertable or extends into the EBM 600a (e.g., in the form of a section of a tubular sleeve or shell), in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. In representative implementations, the IM 400a can include or be based on an electronic detonator, such as an Orica i-Kon™ electronic detonator. The IM 400a can alternatively include or be based on another type of initiation device, such as an optical initiation device by which initiation energy is generated or provided by way of optical energy.

[0077] As indicated above, the EBM 600a carries one or more types of explosive compositions, which explosively initiate or detonate in response to receipt of initiation energy generated or output by the IM 400a. In multiple (though not necessarily all) embodiments, the EBM 600a need not or does not include electrical / electronic circuitry or a set of electrical / electronic circuit elements therein or thereon, and hence in a number of embodiments particular components of the wireless initiation device 100 that are configurable or configured to provide or perform WIT and / or WPT exclude the EBM 600a. In representative implementations, the EBM 600a can be similar to or be based on an Orica WebGen™ explosive booster.

[0078] In general, each component of the wireless initiation device 100a is a single-use, disposable, or expendable component (e.g., the entire wireless initiation device 100a is expectedor intended to be destroyed or consumed as a result of the commercial blasting operation in which the wireless initiation device 100a is used), as individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art will readily comprehend.

[0079] As indicated in FIG. 1A, in various embodiments the DCCM 200a has a housing / casing 202 (e.g., including or formed of one or more types of polymer-based materials, such as a plastic material) into and / or through which wireless signals (e.g., at least one of Wl signals and WP signals) can travel or penetrate (e.g., at a set of wireless signal center frequencies or frequency bands), and which carries multiple DCCM devices, electronic circuits, or elements. For instance, at least some or each of the following can be carried by or reside within the DCCM housing / casing 202: a DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 (e.g., a set of batteries and / or a set of capacitors that can store energy / electrical charges by which electronic circuitry, including electronic circuitry within the DCCM 200a, can be powered); a DCCM control unit (DCU) 230 configured to manage or control the operation (e.g., the overall operation) of the wireless initiation device 100a (e.g., in association with or responsive to TTE signals generated by a remote blast control system); a set of DCCM TTE signal transmit (Tx) / receive (Rx) elements 210 (e.g., which can include or be a set of antennas configured to receive and possibly transmit TTE signals); a DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220; a DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320; and a set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 (e.g., a set of antennas and / or other devices / transducers configured to transmit / receive Wl signals / WP signals) configurable or configured to facilitate WST between the DCCM 200a and one or more other components of the wireless initiation device 100a. The DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 is electrically coupled to each of the DCU 230, the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220, and the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320. The DCU 230 is electrically coupled to each of the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 and the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320, which are respectively electrically coupled to the set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210 and the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310.

[0080] The set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to receive and possibly transmit TTE signals, for instance, at one or more frequencies (e.g., at least one tuned frequency such as a center frequency) between approximately 0.1 - 4000 Hz (e.g., between approximately 10 - 3500 Hz, or approximately 30 - 3000 Hz). Depending upon embodiment details, the set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210 can include one or more types of TTE signal reception elements (e.g., a set of magnetometers / coil type antennas) and / or TTE signal transmission elements (e.g., a set of coil antennas). In several embodiments, the set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210 includes a set of coil type antennas configured to receive and possibly transmit / send Ml TTE signals.

[0081] In association with the set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210, the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured in various embodiments to demodulate / decode TTE signals received by way of the set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210, and transfer data (e.g., which can include or be one or more instructions or commands, and possibly associated wireless initiation device programming data) corresponding to the demodulated / decoded TTE signals to the DCU 230. In embodiments in which a DCCM 200a such as shown in FIG. 1A is configurable or configured for bidirectional or 2-way TTE signal communication, the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 in association with the set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to encode / modulate data received by way of the DCU 230 (e.g., where such data can indicate wireless initiation device identity, programming information, and / or operational status or state), and generate, output, or transmit TTE signals corresponding to such data. Depending upon embodiment details, TTE signal reception and TTE signal transmission can occur at the same frequency, or at different frequencies.

[0082] In some embodiments, the DCU 230 can provide a data processing unit such as described below which is configurable or configured for managing or controlling the operation of the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220. In other embodiments, the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 includes a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine separate or independent of the DCU 230.

[0083] The DCU 230 includes electronic circuitry (e.g., integrated circuitry) configured to control or direct the overall operation of the wireless initiation device 100a, including in association with or response to commands or instructions carried by, correlated with, or corresponding to TTE signals that have been received and demodulated / decoded (e.g., ARM and FIRE signals). The DCU 230 typically includes integrated circuitry similar, analogous, or corresponding to or including at least one data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA configurableor configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine. The DCU 230 also typically includes one or more memories configurable or configured to store data and program instructions the DCU's data processing unit can access and / or execute (e.g., program instructions which, when executed by the DCU 230, are configured to manage or control wireless initiation device operation(s) in the context of carrying out a particular commercial blasting operation), although certain of such memories can be distinct or separate from yet electrically coupled to the DCU 230 in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The DCU 230 is further configurable or configured to selectively, programmably, or selectably manage the operation of or operate in association with the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320, which itself operates in association with the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, with respect to which WIT / WPT between the DCCM 200a and one or more other wireless initiation device components can occur, which for purpose of simplicity and aiding understanding in the context of FIG. 1A is the IM 400.

[0084] The set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to produce and output, emit, or transmit Wl signals and / or WP signals directed to the IM 400. In several embodiments, the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 is also configurable or configured to receive Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof from the IM 400. As further described below, depending upon embodiment details the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 can include or be one or more types of antennas and / or transducers that facilitate or enable WST between the DCCM 200a and the IM 400.

[0085] The DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to activate or drive the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 to generate and transmit Wl signals and / or WP signals directed to the IM 400. In multiple embodiments, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 is configurable or configured to encode / modulate data (e.g., corresponding to instructions or commands) received by way of the DCU 230 for transmission thereof to the IM 400. The DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 can also include electronic circuitry configurable or configured to demodulate / decode Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof received from the IM 400 by way of the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, and electronic circuitry configurable or configured to transfer data correlated or associated therewith to the DCU 320. In several embodiments, the DCM WIT / WPT unit 320is configurable or configured to convert an electrical signal received from the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 into an oscillating signal, and drive the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 to generate and output WP signals directed to the IC 400. The DCCM Wl / WPT unit 320 can be configurable or configured to modulate such WP signals to carry Wl signals in a manner that facilitates SWPIT / TWIPT, such as in a manner described in detail below.

[0086] Depending upon embodiment details, the DCC WIT / WPT unit 320 can include integrated circuitry similar, analogous, or corresponding to or including at least one data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine, separate from the DCU 230; or the DCU 230 can provide or form at least some of such DCC WIT / WPT unit integrated circuitry (e.g., because the DCC WIT / WPT unit 320 and the DCU 230 each reside within the same module, i.e., the DCCM 200a).

[0087] As indicated in FIG. 1A, in various embodiments the IM 400 includes a housing 402, for instance, a housing 402 having one or more portions configured for structural coupling with the DCCM 200a and one or more portions into and / or through which Wl signals and WP signals can travel or penetrate (e.g., at an appropriate set of Wl signal frequencies and an appropriate set of WP signal frequencies, respectively, where such frequencies can be overlapping or identical), and which supports, carries, or is structurally coupled to particular IC elements. The housing 402 can support, carry, or be structurally coupled to an initiation device (ID) 430 (e.g., an electronic detonator, such as an Orica i-Kon electronic detonator, or another type of initiation device such as an optical initiation device) configurable or configured to selectively or selectably (e.g., programmably) generate and output initiation energy sufficient to produce an explosive shock wave or detonation front in one or more explosive compositions external to the ID 430 (e.g., in portions of the EBM 600a); an IM WIT / WPT unit 520; and an IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 configurable or configured to facilitate Wl signal communication and / or Wl signal transfer involving at least the DCCM 200a. The IM WIT / WPT unit 520 is electrically coupled to the ID 430 and the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510.

[0088] The IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to receive Wl signals and / or WP signals from the DCCM 200a (e.g.,where such signals were output by the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310). In several embodiments, the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 is also configured to selectively or selectably (e.g., programmably) output or transmit Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof to the DCCM 200a under the control of the IM WIT / WPT unit 520. As described below, depending upon embodiment details the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 can include or be one or more types of antennas and / or transducers by which WST involving or between the IM 400 and the DCCM 200a can occur.

[0089] The IM WIT / WPT unit 520 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to receive, convert / condition / preprocess (e.g., rectify), utilize, and / or selectively route WP signals received from the DCCM 200a; demodulate / decode Wl signals received from the DCCM 200a; and encode / modulate data received from the ID 430; and activate or drive the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 to transmit Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof to the DCCM 200a. In several embodiments, the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 includes a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, or similar or analogous integrated circuitry configurable or configured to process stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine / enable state machine execution; and a memory in which data and / or program instructions executable by the IM WIT / WPT unit's data processing unit can be stored.

[0090] The IM WIT / WPT unit's data processing unit can be configured to selectively or selectably manage or control aspects of IC and / or initiation device operation based on signals that the IM 400 wirelessly receives from the DCCM 200a. In some embodiments, the data processing unit of the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 is configurable or configured to provide or perform a set of safety operations in association with a similar, analogous, related, or counterpart set of safety operations performed by the DCCM DCU 230, such that each of the IM 400 and the DCCM 200a are configured to manage particular aspects of wireless initiation device safety (e.g., in a cooperative, coordinated, and / or redundant manner, in association with a set of wireless initiation device safety protocols).

[0091] Also as shown in FIG. 1A, in multiple embodiments the EBM 600a includes a housing or shell 602 within which one or more explosive compositions 690 reside. The EBM 600a and the IM 400 are cooperatively structured and disposed relative to each other such that initiation energy output by the IM 400 leads to or generates an explosive shock wave or detonation front in theEBM 600a, which leads to explosive initiation and / or detonation of the explosive composition(s)690 in the EBM 600a.Representative Structural and Functional Aspects of SD-MM-WST Between the DCCM and the IM

[0092] Further to the foregoing, with respect to WIT and WPT between the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a, in accordance with embodiment details in each of the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a such WST can occur (e.g., in a temporally separated, temporally overlapping, or simultaneous manner) by way of: (1) separate Wl signal Tx / Rx elements and WP signal Tx / Rx elements that are of the same type; (2) separate Wl signal Tx / Rx elements and WP signal Tx / Rx elements that are of different types; or (3) a shared or common or the same set of wireless signal Tx / Rx elements (e.g., a common set of SWIPT signal / TWIPT signal Tx / Rx elements). Moreover, based on embodiment details, Wl signal Tx / Rx elements and WP signal Tx / Rx elements can be configured to operate or transfer wireless signals at: (a) different center frequencies within different frequency bands; (b) different center frequencies within the same frequency band; or (c) the same center frequency within a particular frequency band. Furthermore, WIT and WPT can occur by way of (I) different wireless signal transfer or communication modalities, or (ii) the same wireless signal transfer or communication modality.

[0093] In general, the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 and the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 include mutually compatible, complementary, or counterpart types of wireless signal Tx / Rx elements (e.g., antennas and / or transducers) by which Wl signals / WP signals can be wirelessly transferred or communicated between the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a. Such wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310, 510 can be configured to have a signaling or signal output pattern that is omni-directional, semi-directional / multi-directional, or approximately uni-directional, depending upon embodiment details.

[0094] In various embodiments, the mutually compatible or complementary types of wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310, 510 include electronic circuitry configurable or configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals by way of electromagnetic field (e.g., electric field and / or magnetic field) coupling (e.g., tuned or resonant wireless signal coupling). Depending upon embodiment details, such mutually compatible or complementary types of wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310, 510 can be configurable or configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals by way of non- radiative electromagnetic coupling (e.g., near-field or transition zone Ml based coupling orcapacitive electric field based coupling), or radiative electromagnetic coupling (e.g., far-field or propagating electromagnetic wave based coupling).

[0095] In view of the foregoing, in several embodiments the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 and the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 each include at least one set of antenna elements or antennas configurable or configured to communicate wireless signals at a given center frequency within a particular frequency band. Depending upon embodiment details, such antennas can include discrete circuit elements or structures, and / or integrated circuit elements or structures (e.g., printed circuit antenna structures that reside on a substrate such as a circuit board).

[0096] In multiple embodiments, the aforementioned wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310, 510 in the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a can include or be elements configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals (e.g., wireless information signals and / or wireless power signals) by way of inductive coupling, such as in a manner analogous, corresponding, essentially identical, or identical to near-field communication (NFC). In such embodiments, these wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310, 510 can include one or more coil type or spiral type (e.g., inductor based or inductor coil) antennas (e.g., one or more of which can be formed using Litz wire). A given coil type antenna can include or be configured as a discrete coil circuit element, or as a printed coil circuit element (e.g., where a given coil circuit element can correspond to or be formed as an elliptical or circular cylindrical wire coil). Depending upon embodiment details, WIT and WPT can occur by way of: (1) separate coil type antennas having different configurations (e.g., different structural and / or electrical characteristics), for instance, a WIT coil antenna specifically configured to provide efficient and reliable WIT, and a separate WPT coil antenna specifically configured to enhance or optimize WPT; (2) separate coil antennas, each having the same configuration; or (3) the same coil antenna(s).

[0097] FIGs. 2A - 2C are schematic illustrations showing portions of particular types of coil type antenna configurations corresponding to or among the set of DCCM Wl / WP signal TX / RX elements 310 and the IC set of Wl / WP signal TX / RX elements 510 in accordance with nonlimiting representative embodiments of the present disclosure. As indicated in FIGs. 2A - 2C, in several embodiments the set of DCCM Wl / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 includes a coil type antenna 312, and the IM set of Wl / WP signal TX / Rx elements 510 includes a counterpart orcorresponding coil type antenna 512. These coil type antennas 312, 512 can each have a particular inductance (e.g., by way of a given number of turns or windings of electrically conductive material(s) such as wire), and are configurable or configured to establish electromagnetic (e.g., magnetic inductive) coupling with each other to facilitate or enable reliable WST between the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a after the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a have been structurally associated with or joined / linked to each other in an intended manner (e.g., positioned relative to each other in accordance with an intended or particular DCCM-to-IM spatial relationship or configuration, for instance, an adjacent spatial relationship established once the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a have been structurally coupled or connected together).

[0098] As also indicated in FIGs. 2A-2C and as understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art, these coil type antennas 312, 512 can each include (e.g., inherently include) a centroid, center point, or central opening or aperture 315, 515, and in specific embodiments a magnetizable or magnetized core element 313, 513 (e.g., a ferrite core element 313, 513) can be disposed in alignment with the centroid, central point, or central aperture 315, 515 of at least one of these coil type antennas 312, 512 to increase mutual inductance between the coil type antennas 312, 512. As indicated in FIG. 2B, in certain embodiments each of the aforementioned coil type antennas 312, 512 can be carried by or reside on a corresponding support member such as a circuit board 316, 516, such as in (but not limited to) embodiments in which the coil type antennas 312, 512 are formed as integrated circuit elements (e.g., two dimensional (2D) or three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit elements). As indicated in FIG. 2C, particular portions of the DCCM housing 202 and the IM housing 402 can be configured to structurally engage (e.g., matingly engage) with each other to facilitate or enable cooperative positioning or alignment (e.g., auto-alignment) of the coil type antennas 312, 512 relative to each other when the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a have been structurally associated with, coupled to, or joined / linked to each other in an intended or predetermined manner (e.g., matingly engaged with each other). For instance, a male-type portion 404 of the IM housing 402 can be configured for insertion into a female-type portion 204 of the DCCM housing 202, or vice versa.

[0099] Once the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a have been structurally associated with or coupled or joined / linked to each other in an intended or predetermined manner (e.g., by way of mating engagement of the DCCM 200a and the IM 400a), an intended WST axis 122 can be defined or exist through the center point or central aperture of DCCM coil type antenna 312 and the centerpoint or central aperture of the IM coil type antenna 512. Such alignment of the DCCM and IM coil type antennas 312, 512 disposes the turns or windings of these coil type antennas 312, 512 essentially perpendicular or perpendicular to the intended WST axis 122 to establish an expected near-maximum or maximum mutual inductance alignment between the DCCM coil type antenna 312 and the IM coil type antenna 512.

[0100] Further in association with FIGs. 1A, 2B, and 2C, FIG. IB is a schematic illustration showing portions of a wireless initiation device 100b having a DCCM 200b and an IM 400b (noting that an EBM 600a is not shown for purpose of simplicity) in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, with respect to which portions ofthe IM housing 402 are shaped or configured for insertion into and structural mating engagement with portions ofthe DCCM housing 202 in a manner that auto-aligns or self-aligns an IM coil type antenna 512 with a counterpart DCCM coil type antenna 312. More particularly, in some embodiments a barrel type structural coupler or connector portion 404 of the IM housing 402 carries an IC circuit board 516 on which an IM coil type antenna 512 (e.g., such as indicated in FIG. 2B) resides; and an aperture, mouth, or slot type coupler or connector portion 204 of the DCCM 200b carries a DCCM circuit board 316 on which a DCCM coil type antenna 312 (e.g., such as indicated in FIG. 2B) resides. The barrel type coupler portion 404 of the IM housing 402 is structurally configured for insertion into and mating engagement with the mouth type coupler portion 204 of the DCCM housing 202.

[0101] With further reference to FIG. IB, in association with progressive insertion of the barrel type coupler portion 404 of the IM housing 402 into the mouth type coupler portion 204 of the DCCM housing 202, the IC circuit board 516 carrying the IM coil type antenna 512 slides next to (e.g., over, under, or beside, and typically in a parallel configuration in close proximity to) the DCCM circuit board 316 carrying the DCCM coil type antenna 312, such that upon completion of structural mating engagement ofthe DCCM 200 and the IM 400, the IM coil type antenna 512 and the DCCM coil type antenna 312 are cooperatively aligned in a manner that enables reliable WST between the DCCM 200b and the IM 400b, for instance, such that the intended WST axis 122 passes at least approximately or essentially through the center point or central aperture of each ofthe DCCM coil type antenna 312 and the IM coil type antenna 512.

[0102] In view of the foregoing, in some embodiments, portions of the IM 400b are configured as a male structure that can be inserted, fitted, or slid into or onto portions of the DCCM 200bthat are configured as a female channel structure that can receive such male structural portions of the IM 400b. In other embodiments, portions of the DCCM 200b are configured as a male structure that can be inserted, fitted, or slid into onto portions of the IM 400b which are configured as a female channel structure that can receive such male structural portions of the DCCM 200b. In these as well as other embodiments (e.g., an embodiment such as shown in FIG. 1A), portions of the DCCM 200b that carry a set of DCCM Wl / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 and portions of the IM 400b that carry an ICset of Wl / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 are configured such that structural engagement (e.g., secure mating engagement) of the DCCM 200b and the IM 400b auto-align or self-align the set of DCCM Wl / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 (e.g., a DCCM coil antenna 312) relative to the IM set of Wl / WP signal TX / Rx elements 510 (e.g., an IM coil antenna 512).

[0103] In multiple embodiments (e.g., an embodiment based on or similar or analogous to that shown in FIG. IB), upon structural mating engagement of the IM 400b and the DCCM 200b, the intended WST axis 122 is not parallel to, and is significantly offset from parallel to, a central or lengthwise axis 112 of the wireless initiation device 100b. For instance, the intended WST axis 122 can be offset approximately 30 - 150 degrees, or 45 - 135 degrees, or 60 - 120 degrees, or 75 - 105 degrees, or 80 - 100 degrees, or 85 - 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees, from the lengthwise axis 122 of the wireless initiation device 100b. As further described below, in particular embodiments such an angular offset between these axes 112, 122 can additionally facilitate or enable reliable NSD-WI signal transfer and / or NSD-WP signal transfer between an encoding apparatus or device (e.g., a movable, transportable, or portable encoding apparatus or device that is separate from or external to the wireless initiation device 100b, for instance, an equipment / machine mounted or handheld wireless initiation device encoding and / or logging apparatus) and one or each of the DCCM 200b and the IM 400b byway ofthe set of DCCM wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310 and the IC set of wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 420, respectively, when the encoding apparatus or device is appropriately or cooperatively positioned or aligned with respect to portions of the wireless initiation device 100b that carry such sets of wireless signal Tx / Rx elements 310, 510.

[0104] Further to the foregoing, after structural mating engagement of the DCCM 200b and the IM 400b, in some embodiments the cooperatively aligned DCCM coil type antenna 312 and the IM coil type antenna 512 can be offset away from the lengthwise axis 112 of the wireless initiationdevice 100b such that the cooperatively aligned DCC and IM coil type antennas 312, 512 are each disposed at locations within the wireless initiation device 100b that facilitate or enable reliable NSD-WST with a programming, encoding, and / or other type of apparatus or device that is separate from or external to the wireless initiation device 100b itself.

[0105] In a number of embodiments, the first set of counterpart physical engagement structures 104 by which structural mating engagement of the DCCM 200b and the IM 400b can be securely established includes male - female structural elements, such as one or more protrusions 104a, b (e.g., resiliently-biased or directionally-tapered radially compressible - expandable protrusions) that extend away from the elongate portion 404 of the IM housing 402, and which are configured to fit into and securely engage with one or more counterpart recesses 104c,d formed in the mouth portion 204 of the DCCM housing 202 by way of push-fitting / snap-fitting. Additionally or alternatively, the first set of counterpart physical engagement structures 104 can include one or more DCCM and IM elements or structures configured to engage with each other by way of rotational-fitting (e.g., screw-fitting). In other embodiments, the DCCM 200b and the IM 400b can be securely engageable or engaged with each other by way of push-fitting and / or another engagement mechanism.Representative Aspects of Prototype / Example SD-MM-WST Wireless Initiation Devices

[0106] Wireless initiation devices 100b corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIG. IB were constructed and tested as prototypes or representative examples of multi-module wireless devices configurable or configured for SD-WST, including in-lab or benchtop prototypes providing electronic circuitry by which SD-MM-WST between a given type of DCCM 200b and an IM 400 was tested. More particularly, in multiple wireless initiation devices 100b constructed, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 in association with the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 included electronic circuitry configured to generate and output Wl signals and WP signals directed to the IC 400 by way of SWIPT / TWIPT in which Wl signals are carried by, superimposed on, or modulated onto WP signals (e.g., for instance, by way of an Amplitude Modulation (AM), a Frequency Modulation (FM), or other type of modulation protocol or scheme, such as biphase mark coding (BMC)); and the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 in association with the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 included electronic circuitry configured to (a) receive SWIPT / TWIPT based Wl signals and WP signals output by the DCCM 200b, and (b) facilitate or perform IM management / control operations in accordance with these SWIPT / TWIPT based Wl signalsand WP signals. Additionally, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 in association with the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 included electronic circuitry configured to sense or detect, by way of electrical current sensing corresponding to load modulation and backscatter or reflected signal communication (e.g., with respect to which the communication of data is correlated with the variation, modulation, or switching of a load impedance by the IM WIT / WPT unit 520), Wl signals generated by the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 in association with the IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510, thereby facilitating or enabling the transfer of Wl signals from the IM 400b to the DCCM 200b.

[0107] Further to the foregoing, FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 and a corresponding set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310; and FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a counterpart IM WIT / WPT unit 520 and a corresponding IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 includes a DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322 (e.g., which can include or be a microcontroller and / or a state machine, and typically at least one associated memory wherein executable instructions and data can reside) that is electrically coupled to the DCU 230, and which is electrically coupled to a coil driver 346. The DCU 230, the DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322, and the coil driver 346 are configured to receive electrical power from the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260, for instance, byway of an DCU voltage regulator 234, a DCCM WIT / WPT controller voltage regulator 324, and a coil driver voltage regulator 344, respectively. With respect to the coil driver 346, the coil driver voltage regulator 344 is configured to provide or deliver a coil drive voltage to the coil driver 346, and in some embodiments includes voltage step-down circuitry and / or voltage step-up circuitry configured to selectively step-down or step-up, respectively, a voltage that the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 outputs or provides to the coil driver voltage regulator 344.

[0108] The coil driver 346 includes electronic circuitry configured to selectively or selectably drive the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, including by way of generating and modulating a time varying, oscillating, or periodic coil drive signal. In multiple embodiments, the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 includes a capacitor 311 that is electrically coupled to a coil antenna 312, which when driven by the coil driver 344 is configured to output wireless DCCM-to-IM power / command signals corresponding to the coil drive signal. In several embodiments, the wireless DCCM-to-IM power / command signals include or are generated as aWP signal that provides a carrier signal or wave that is selectively or selectably modulated to carry Wl signals. The IM 400b includes electronic circuitry configured to (a) selectively or selectably utilize the WP signal for electrically charging / powering IC electronic circuitry; and (b) decode and operate in accordance with the Wl signals carried by the WP signal to carry out certain IC management / control operations, as further detailed below.

[0109] The coil driver 346 can modulate the coil drive signal by way of a modulation protocol or scheme (e.g., Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) or Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)), in response to or in accordance with drive control signals / data output by the DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322, where the DCC WIT / WPT controller 322 generates such drive control signals based on or in response to signals and / or data received from the DCU 230. The drive control signals / data can include (a) a drive enable signal / datum, the value of which determines whether the coil driver 346 is in an inactive or quiescent / non-driven state or an active / driven state in which the coil driver 346 drives the coil antenna 312; and (b) DCCM-to-IM command signals / data. The coil driver 346 can include a switch responsive to the drive enable signal / datum, the value of which can determine whether the coil driver 346 is in the inactive or quiescent / non-driven state, or the active / driven state. The coil driver 346 can also include electronic circuitry configured to generate and modulate the time-varying, oscillating, or periodic coil drive signals based on the DCCM-to-IM command signals / data.

[0110] The DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322 is configured to receive a feedback signal from the capacitor 311 of the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, including a backscatter or reflected signal communication feedback signal. The DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322 can be configured to sense signals transmitted and / or received by the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, including the backscatter communication feedback signal, by way of electrical current sensing, and can include a set of capacitors or at least one bandpass filter configured as a set of envelope detectors to facilitate backscatter communication feedback signal demodulation / decoding, in a manner understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0111] As indicated in FIG. 3B, in an embodiment the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 includes an IM controller 522 (e.g., that provides integrated circuitry that can include or be a microcontroller, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, or similar / analogous device, and / or a state machine, and typically an associatedmemory in which executable instructions and / or data can reside), which is configured to selectively facilitate or perform IM management / control operations, including in response to, based upon, or in accordance with the wireless DCCM-to-IM power / command signals (e.g., which include or are SWIPT / TWIPT signals) output by the DCCM 200b. The IM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 510 includes or is a coil antenna 512 configured to receive the DCCM- to-IM power / command signals, which subsequently pass through a backscatter signal modulation capacitor 521 and are delivered or input to a rectifier 526.

[0112] The rectifier 526 includes electronic circuitry configured to provide or output (a) at least one rectified voltage signal to a controller voltage regulator 532, a programming / diagnostic voltage regulator 534, and a firing voltage regulator 536, which themselves are configured to output regulated voltage signals or voltages having particular magnitudes; and (b) at least one rectified demodulation signal (e.g., corresponding to or as a rectified ASK or FSK demodulation signal) to the IM controller 522. With respect to the aforementioned voltage regulators 532, 534, 536, the controller voltage regulator 532 includes electronic circuitry configured to output a controller operating voltage to the IM controller 522, by way of which electronic circuitry within the IM controller 522 can be charged / powered to facilitate or perform IM management / control operations. The diagnostic / programming voltage regulator 534 includes electronic circuitry configured to selectively or selectably output based on a first enable signal received from the IM controller 522 a diagnostic / programming voltage to the ID 430, by way of which electronic circuitry within the ID 430 can be charged / powered to selectively or selectably perform ID diagnostic / testing / querying and programming operations, while avoiding or preventing charging / powering electronic circuitry within the ID 430 in a manner that would enable the storage, generation, and release / output of initiation energy sufficient to cause or trigger the initiation / detonation of an explosive composition associated with or corresponding to the ID 430; and the firing voltage regulator 536 includes electronic circuitry configured to selectively, selectably, or programmably output based on a second enable signal received from the IM controller 522 a firing voltage to the ID 430, by way of which electronic circuitry within the ID 430 can be charged / powered such that the ID can selectively, programmably, or selectably store, generate, and release / output initiation energy sufficient to cause or trigger the initiation / detonation of the explosive composition associated with or corresponding to the ID 430 (e.g., after a programmable or predetermined delay time). Typically, for safety purposes, the magnitude of the diagnostic / programming voltage is significantly less than that of the firingvoltage (e.g., at least 20% less, or approximately 20-80% or 25 -75% less than the magnitude of the firing voltage), in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0113] The diagnostic / programming voltage regulator 534 and the firing voltage regulator 536 can each include switching circuitry or a switch therein by which the first enable signal and the second enable signal selectively or selectably enable, determine, or control the provision or output of the diagnostic / programming voltage and the firing voltage, respectively. A particular voltage regulator 532, 534, 536 can include voltage stabilization circuitry, voltage step-down circuitry, and / or voltage step-up circuitry, depending upon embodiment details. In multiple embodiments, the firing voltage regulator 536 includes voltage step-up circuitry configured to convert the rectified voltage signal received from the rectifier 526 to the firing voltage, as individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art will also comprehend.

[0114] The IM controller 522 is configured to decode the rectified demodulation signal(s) received from the rectifier 526 thereby converting the rectified demodulation signal(s) into a set or sequence of decoded signals / commands, and selectively, programmably, or selectably manage or control the operation of particular IC elements or circuitry in accordance with the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands. With respect to IM receipt, demodulation, and decoding of wireless DCCM-to-IM power / command signals output by and received from the DCCM 200b, the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands is correlated with or corresponds to the Wl signals that the DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322 modulated onto the WP signal carrier signal in accordance with the aforementioned DCCM-to-IM command signals / data.

[0115] As further indicated in FIG. 3B, the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 includes a voltage selection switch 538 configured to selectively or selectably electrically couple the output of the diagnostic / programming voltage regulator 534 or the firing voltage regulator 536 to the ID 430 based on a voltage control signal received from the IM controller 522. Thus, depending upon whether the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands produced by the IM controller 522 indicates that the ID 430 is to be charged / powered using the diagnostic / programming voltage (e.g., in a safe operational mode in which the ID 430 cannot generate or release initiation energy sufficient to initiate or detonate an explosive composition) or charged / powered by or to the firing voltage (e.g., in a firing-enabled mode in which the ID 430 can fully-charge a firing capacitor, and cangenerate or release initiation energy sufficient to initiate or detonate the explosive composition), the IM controller 522 selectively, programmably, or selectably electrically couples the ID 430 to the diagnostic / programming voltage regulator 534 or the firing voltage regulator 536 by way of the voltage control signal applied to the voltage selection switch 538.

[0116] The ID 430 is configurable or configured to selectively, programmably, or selectably perform diagnostic / programming mode operations (e.g., status check, delay time query, and delay time programming / selection operations) or firing mode operations (e.g., ARM and FIRE operations) as enabled, managed, or directed by the IM controller 522 (e.g., in accordance with the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands generated thereby). The ID 430 can include its own electronic data processing unit (e.g., in the form of a microcontroller, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, and / or a state machine, along with an associated memory in which executable instructions and / or data can reside) configured to selectively, programmably, or selectably carry out the diagnostic / programming mode operations and the firing mode operations, in a manner individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art will comprehend. The ID 430 can log or store a set or sequence of ID operating commands corresponding or in response to receipt of the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands generated by the IM controller 522, where the set or sequence of ID operating commands can correspond to one or more diagnostic / programming mode operations or firing mode operations. In several embodiments, the ID 430 is based on, includes, or is an electronic detonator (e.g., similar or analogous to or based on an Orica i-kon™ electronic detonator), which is configurable or configured to perform the diagnostic / programming mode operations and the firing mode operations, and which in at least some embodiments performs at least some of such operations in a self-contained or independent manner relative to the IM controller 522 based on the set or sequence of ID operating commands (or analogously, the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands).

[0117] The ID 430 can be configurable or configured to issue reply / feedback signals or data (e.g., query / diagnostic / programming operation response signal or data, which can include operation acknowledgment / confirmation / result signalsor data) to the IM controller 522 as part of or after performing one or more diagnostic / programming mode operations and certain firing mode operations (e.g., after carrying out an ARM operation). The IM controller 522 can be configurable or configured to generate wireless reply / feedback signals correlated with or corresponding to the ID reply / feedback signals or data, where the wireless reply / feedback signals are intendedfor receipt and decoding by the DCCM 200b. The IM controller 522 can generate such wireless reply / feedback signals by way of providing and establishing or adjusting a load modulation control signal that is electrically coupled or fed to the backscatter signal modulation capacitor 521, such that the wireless reply / feedback signals can be communicated to the DCCM 200b by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication involving load modulation of the IM controller coil antenna 512. More particularly, the DCCM coil antenna 312 and the IM controller coil antenna 512 act as a coupled (e.g., tightly coupled) induction coil pair, and thus changes or variations in the load(ing) conditions of the IM controller coil antenna 512 can be reflected back to the DCCM coil antenna 312. Data can be embedded in or modulated onto a load-modulation signal produced by the IM controller's adjustment or variation of the load modulation control signal, and such data can be detected, decoded, or identified by way of the DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322 monitoring electrical current in the DCCM coil antenna 312.

[0118] FIG. 3C shows another embodiment of the IM WIT / WPT unit 520 in accordance with the present disclosure. In such an embodiment, the IM controller 522 is configured to control the voltage selection switch 538 as set forth above, and is additionally configured to communicate requests / instructions and / or data (e.g., based on or corresponding to the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands) to the ID 430 in a manner that need not or does not pass through the voltage selection switch 538.

[0119] FIG. 3D is a graph showing representative signal traces corresponding to the DCCM 200b, the IM 400b, and the ID 430 as measured during in-lab testing of SWIPT / TWIPT based WST in a prototype wireless initiation device 100b such as described above. As indicated in the graph, a bottom signal trace shows sensed electrical current corresponding to the feedback signal provided by the capacitor 311 of the set of DCCM Wl signal I WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 to the DCCM WIT / WPT controller 322. This sensed electrical current corresponds to (a) the drive current applied to the coil antenna 312 of the DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, which is correlated with WP signals and any Wl signals modulated thereon by the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 for communication to the IM 400b; as well as (b) a load-modulated backscatter or reflected communication signal generated by the IM 400b.

[0120] A top signal trace in FIG. 3D shows, as a function of voltage, a set or sequence of decoded signals / commands that the IM controller 522 generated in response to Wl signals modulatedonto WP signals by the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320; and a middle signal trace shows, as a function of voltage, a set or sequence of ID operating commands corresponding to the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands, which the ID 430 logs or stores. The middle signal trace additionally shows an ID operating command processing and execution sequence, which includes a firing voltage step-up operation and a representative ID firing operation for an in-lab or benchtop prototype wireless initiation device 100b in response to a FIRE command (e.g., a decoded FIRE command within the set or sequence of decoded signals / commands generated by the IM controller 522).

[0121] The right-hand side of the graph of FIG. 3D also shows a representative set or sequence of reply / feedback signals that the ID 430 generates or issues to the IM controller 522, in response to which the IM controller 522 generates corresponding wireless reply / feedback signals by way of the aforementioned load modulation signal (e.g., in a manner indicated by the right-hand side of the graph of FIG. 3D). The DCCM 200b receives the wireless reply / feedback signals by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication involving load modulation sensing (e.g., in a manner also indicated by the right-hand side of the graph of FIG. 3D). By way of such backscatter or reflected communication in association with or during SWIPT / TWIPT from the DCCM 200b to the IM 400b, wireless reply / feedback signals can be transferred or provided from the IM 400b to the DCCM 200b in a manner that reduces or minimizes the amount of electrical power that would otherwise be consumed if the IM 400b generated and transmitted wireless reply / feed back signals using its own electrical power source / supply.

[0122] In view of the foregoing, multiple embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are configured to communicate Wl signals and WP signals between a first portion or module of a wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a wireless initiation device) and a second portion or module of this same wireless blasting-related device over the same active wireless communication channel in a simultaneous or tandem manner (e.g., by way of SWIPT / TWIPT). In at least some embodiments, backscatter or reflected communication over this same active wireless communication channel (e.g., as part of the SWIPT / TWIPT from the first portion or module to the second or module module) is used to provide wireless reply / feedback signals from the second portion or module to the first portion or module of the wireless blasting-related device, such that undesirable or unnecessary electrical power consumption is avoided in association with the generation and transmission of wireless reply / feedback signals by the second portion ormodule of the wireless blasting-related device (e.g., to reduce or minimize the electrical power required to transfer or provide wireless reply / feedback signals if backscatter communication were not used). In at least some of such embodiments, the second portion or module of the wireless blasting-related device need not or does not include a power source or power supply that is sufficiently or fully charged (e.g., initially sufficiently or fully charged) to enable (a) the performance of the entire range of operations that the second portion or module is intended to perform, and / or (b) long term or long duration operation (e.g., continuous or periodic operation over many days, weeks, or months) absent the provision of additional energy to the second portion or module by way of an energy source external to the second portion or module.

[0123] For instance, a first module of a wireless initiation device can be configured to output WP signals that correspond to, define, or establish an active wireless communication channel and which are intended to provide electrical power to one or more types of electrical circuitry of a distinct second module of the wireless initiation device, where the second module requires at least some electrical energy provided or produced by way of received WP signals to facilitate or enable its performance of at least some types of second module functionality or operation(s). The first module can modulate Wl signals onto the WP signals it produces, where these Wl signals are correlated with or correspond to requests or commands that the second module is to carry out or perform (e.g., in response to the second module's receipt of SWIPT / TWIPT signals from the first module). Backscatter or reflected signal communication over this same active wireless communication channel (e.g., as part of or during the SWIPT / TWIPT from the first module to the second module) can be used to provide wireless reply / feedback signals from the second module to the first module, such that undesirable or unnecessary electrical power consumption by the second module is avoided in association with the generation and transmission of the wireless reply / feedback signals to the first module (e.g., to reduce or minimize the electrical power required to transfer or provide wireless reply / feedback signals from the second module to the first module).

[0124] In view of FIGs. 1A - 3D and the preceding description, it can be noted that in certain embodiments a DCCM 200 can attempt to transfer wireless signals to and detect wireless signals (e.g., reflected or backscattered signals) from an IM 400 in one or more manners at one or more times (e.g., in association with or after wireless initiation device encoding) by way of its DCU 230 (e.g., in association with the execution thereby of stored program instructions), DCCM Wl / WPTunit 320, and a set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 to determine whether (a) the IM 400 is present and has been properly structurally associated with, positioned relative to, or coupled to (e.g., properly structurally coupled to) the DCCM 200 for reliable DCCM - IM wireless signal communication (e.g., positioned within an intended wireless communication distance from the DCCM 200 in association with in-field deployment of the wireless initiation device 100); (b) DCCM - IM wireless signal communication is unreliable or not possible; and / or (c) the IM 400 is or is likely not properly functioning (e.g., whether the IM 400 has malfunctioned or is defective). For instance, the DCU 230 can manage or control the output of Wl signals encoded onto WP signals intended for or directed to an IM 400, and if no expected backscattered or reflected signal or no electrical circuit parameter value change or value correlated with an expected backscattered or reflected signal is detected, the DCU 230 can determine that the IM 400 is not properly structurally associated with (e.g., not properly structurally coupled to) the DCCM 200, or DCCM - IM wireless signal communication is unreliable or not possible, or the IM 400 has malfunctioned or is defective. In such a situation, the DCU 230 can avoid or prevent the generation and / or output of an ARM and / or FIRE signal intended for or directed to an IM 400. For instance, in some embodiments the DCU 230 may only generate and / or output an ARM and / or a FIRE signal or command intended for or directed to an IM 400 after the DCU 230 has at least determined that the IM 400 is properly structurally associated with the DCCM 200, and typically has also determined that the IM 400 appears to be properly functioning. In certain embodiments, the DCU 230 may only generate and / or output an ARM and / or a FIRE signal or command intended for or directed to an IM 400 after determining that the IM 400 is properly structurally associated with the DCCM 200 (e.g., by way of WST between the DCCM 200 and the IM 400), possibly determining that the IM 400 appears to be properly functioning, and determining that at least a minimum or threshold time interval (e.g., a programmable or predetermined time interval such as approximately 1 hour, 2 hours, or 3 or more hours) has elapsed since an encoding / logging procedure between the wireless initiation device 100 and an encoder (e.g., in association with in-field deployment of the wireless initiation device 100) was successfully completed.Representative Aspects of Communication with Encoding and / or Other Apparatuses or Devices

[0125] As indicated above, a wireless buryable or buried device such as a wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a wireless initiation device 100) can be configurable or configured to communicate with (e.g., at least receive data, commands, and / or signals from, and typically also send dataand / or signals to) an encoding / programming / logging / powering / charging apparatus or device (hereafter "encoder" for purpose of simplicity and brevity), which itself is configurable or configured to at least query, program, perform functionality testing / diagnostics / logging operations, and possibly powering / energizing / charging operations as part of an encoding / programming / logging / powering / charging process (hereafter "encoding process" for purpose of simplicity or brevity) directed to the wireless buryable or buried device. Communication between a wireless buryable or buried device and an encoder typically (although not necessarily) involves or is wireless communication (e.g., certain embodiments can involve wire-based or optical fiber-based communication). Such wireless communication between the wireless buryable or buried device and an encoder can be categorized as a type of NSD-WST, and which can involve NSD Wl signal and / or NSD WP signal transfer (versus SD-WST, with respect to which wireless signals generated by one portion or module of the wireless blasting-related device are intended to be received and used by another portion or module of this same wireless blasting- related device itself). Depending upon embodiment details, a wireless buryable or buried device can include encoder communication related electronic circuitry that is distinct or separate from, or shared or common with, particular electronic circuitry by which the wireless buryable or buried device performs or provides SD-WST, as further detailed hereafter.

[0126] In various embodiments, an encoder includes at least one processing unit, an associated memory in which program instructions executable by the processing unit and data are stored, a signal / data communication unit (e.g., typically including a wireless signal communication unit), and a user interface unit (e.g., a touch screen display, and / or a set of additional or other user input / output devices) in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. Depending on embodiment details, an encoder can include or be a handheld apparatus or device, or an apparatus or device that is carried by or mounted on a piece of equipment (e.g., as part of an automated or autonomous wireless initiation device deployment system). An encoder can be similar or analogous to or based on a type of encoder described in U.S. Patent No. 11,248,895; and / or U.S. patent application US20230280140, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0127] FIG. 1C shows an embodiment of a wireless initiation device 100a such as that shown in FIG. 1A, in which the DCCM 200 of the wireless initiation device 100a is configured to wirelessly communicate with an encoder 80 by way of its set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements310. Depending upon situational and / or embodiment details, wireless signal transfer between the encoder 80 and the DCCM 200a can involve Wl signal transfer and / or WP signal transfer. For instance, the DCCM 200a can be configured to receive Wl signals and / or WP signals from the encoder 80 in association with the encoder 80 querying at least a charge state of the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260; and / or triggering the DCCM 200 to perform and / or report on DCCM power-on self-test (POST) operations. Wireless signal communication from the DCCM 200a to the encoder 80 includes at least Wl signal transfer (e.g., NSD-WI signal transfer). Depending upon embodiment details, such Wl signal transfer from the DCCM 200a to the encoder 80 can involve, include, or be the transfer of Wl signals in the absence of WP signals; or the transfer of Wl signals modulated onto a backscattered or reflected signal corresponding to WP signals output by the encoder 80 by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication.

[0128] In some embodiments, the encoder 80 is configurable or configured to query or determine an energy storage or charge state (hereafter "charge state" for purpose of brevity) of the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260. In the event that the encoder 80 determines that the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 is initially near-fully, essentially fully, or fully depleted (e.g., relative to a "fully charged" state), or is below a particular depletion threshold level relative to the fully charged state (e.g., less than approximately 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 25%, or 20% of its fully charged state), the encoder 80 can transfer WP signals to the DCCM 200a by way of the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 and the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320, and the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 can direct or route a corresponding set of charging signals (e.g., a rectified voltage signal) to the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 for charging thereof. In a number of embodiments, after DCCM manufacture and associated as-manufactured testing and shortly or just prior to in-field DCCM deployment (e.g., associated with or corresponding to wireless initiation device encoding on- bench and deployment in-borehole), the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 is initially in a first charge state (e.g., a significantly or near-fully depleted state, which can be less than approximately 50%, 40%, 30%, 25%, or 20% of its fully charged state), and the encoder 80 can transfer WP signals to the DCCM 200a to bring the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 to a second or target charge state that is greater or higher than or above a level of the first charge state (e.g., at least approximately 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97.5% of its fully charged state; or a second or target charge state that is at least approximately 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or more above the first charge state, depending on the level of the firstcharge state relative to the fully charged state). In certain embodiments, the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 can additionally or alternatively be charged by way of one or more other types of apparatuses or devices, as further detailed below.

[0129] FIGs. ID and IE show an embodiment of a wireless initiation device 100b such as that shown in FIG. IB, which isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with an encoder 80. As indicated in FIGs. ID - IE, each of the DCCM 200b and the IC 400b can be configured to wirelessly communicate with the encoder 80, separately / independently (e.g., before or after the DCCM 200b and the IC 400b are structurally coupled or joined / linked together), and / or jointly (e.g., after the DCCM 200b and the IC 400b are structurally coupled or joined / linked together). The encoder 80 can be configured to transfer Wl signals and WP signals to the IC 400b (e.g., in association with logging, testing, and / or programming the IC 400b), such as by way of SWIPT / TWIPT plus associated backscatter signal communication in a manner analogous to that described above.

[0130] In association with an encoding process, the encoder 80 can be configured to wirelessly query and retrieve from the IC 400b a first identifier corresponding thereto (e.g., a unique IC manufacturing serial number), or programmably assign a second identifier (e.g., a unique second identifier, which can be based on, correspond to, or be derived from the unique first identifier) to the IC 400b. Additionally or alternatively, the encoder 80 can be configured to wirelessly query and retrieve from the DCCM 200b a third identifier corresponding thereto (e.g., a unique DCCM manufacturing serial number), or programmably assign a fourth identifier (e.g., a unique fourth identifier, which can be based on, correspond to, or be derived from the third identifier) to the DCCM 200b. In some embodiments, after the encoder has verified that the IC 400b and the DCCM 200b are functioning properly or meet functional specification / requirements, the encoder 80 can wirelessly program the DCCM 200b with the first identifier or the second identifier corresponding to the IC 400b, such that with respect to DCCM-to-IC control operations (e.g., after the wireless initiation device 100b has been deployed in-filed), the DCCM 200b can subsequently verify operation with or operate only with / fully control the specific IC 400 corresponding to the first identifier or the second identifier. In a representative embodiment, the encoder 80 can wirelessly program the DCCM 200b with the first identifier or the second identifier by way of instructing the DCCM 200b to store first identifier or the second identifier in a memory (e.g., a set of protected memory addresses, which can correspond to portions of an electricallyprogrammable memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) carried by the DCCM 200b). In addition or as an alternative to the foregoing, the encoder 80 can wirelessly program the IC 400b with the third identifier or the fourth identifier, such that with respect to DCCM-to-IC control operations (e.g., after the wireless initiation device 100b has been deployed in-field), the IC 400b can subsequently verify operation with or operate only with / be fully controlled by the DCCM 200b corresponding to the third identifier or the fourth identifier. In a representative embodiment, the encoder 80 can program the IC 400b with the third identifier or the fourth identifier by way of instructing the IC400b to store the third identifier or the fourth identifier in a memory (e.g., a set of protected memory addresses, which can correspond to portions of an electrically programmable memory such as an EEPROM carried by the IC 400b). Management of DCCM-to-IC control operations in such manner(s) can ensure that a given DCCM 200b paired with a given IC 400b are configured to cooperatively function or fully function (e.g., where "fully function" includes uniquely validated or authorized DCCM issuance and uniquely validated or verified IC receipt and execution of ARM and FIRE commands) in a manner that reduces or minimizes the likelihood of unintended, undesirable, or uncontrolled module "swap-outs" or exchanges, which can enhance safety and / or increase the likelihood of providing an intended commercial blasting operation outcome.

[0131] As indicated above, in some embodiments WST between one or more portions of a wireless initiation device 100 and an encoder 80 can occur by way of electronic circuitry that is separate or distinct from (e.g., not shared or common with) electronic circuitry by which the wireless initiation device 100 performs or provides SD-WST. FIG. IF shows an embodiment of a wireless initiation device 100c in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the DCCM 200c includes a set of encoder signal Tx / Rx elements 270 that is electrically coupled to a corresponding encoder communication unit 280. Thus, WST between the DCCM 200c and the encoder 80 occurs by way of the encoder signal Tx / Rx elements 270 and the encoder communication unit 280, which are separate or distinct from the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 and the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320. The set of encoder signal Tx / Rx elements 270 includes one or more transducers or antennas configured to provide or perform wireless signal transfer with counterpart signal Tx / Rx elements of the encoder 80. The encoder communication unit 280 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to demodulate / decode Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof received from the encoder 80 by way of the set of encoder Wl signal / WP signa I Tx / Rx elements 270, and electroniccircuitry configurable or configured to transfer data correlated or associated therewith to the DCU 320; and electronic circuitry configurable or configured to activate or drive the encoder set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 270 to generate and transmit Wl signals to the encoder 80, in a manner understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0132] In some embodiments, in association with an encoding process directed to a given wireless initiation device 100 the wireless initiation device 100 can be configurable or configured to avoid or prevent DCCM issuance of at least ARM and / or FIRE commands to the IC 400 unless a particular (e.g., programmable or predetermined) amount of time or a minimum time period or interval (e.g., at least approximately 1 hour, or at least approximately 2, 3, or more hours, or possibly 1 or more days) has elapsed since successful completion of the encoding process. The avoidance or prevention of DCCM issuance of ARM and / or FIRE commands to the IC 400 until after a particular or minimum post-encoding time period or interval has elapsed (e.g., corresponding to a time at which the wireless initiation device 100 is expected to or should have been deployed in a borehole) can enhance safety (e.g., by reducing the likelihood that the IC 400 can inadvertently or undesirably explosively initiate the EBM 600 outside of an intended wireless initiation device deployment environment).Additional Aspects of SD-WST in Representative Types of Burvable or Buried Wireless Devices

[0133] A given wireless buryable or buried device such as a wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a wireless initiation device 100) can include one or more additional / other types of portions or modules (e.g., not solely the DCCM 200a, the IM 400, and the EBM 600a such as shown in FIG. 1A) configurable or configured to further support or enable SD-WST (e.g., SD-MM-WST) in association with providing particular wireless buryable or buried device functionality (e.g., module-related, module-associated, or module-specific wireless buryable or buried device functionality). With respect to a multi-module wireless buryable or buried device such as a wireless blasting-related device, in general a given type of module associatable or associated with or corresponding to the wireless buryable or buried device

[0134] includes at least a module WIT / WPT unit and a corresponding module set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements, plus a set of additional module-related, module-associated, or module-type-specific units or elements (e.g., including electrical / electronic circuit elements or integrated circuitry) configurable or configured to provide or perform particular types of module- related, module-associated, module-based, or module-type-specific functions or operationsbased on a module type under consideration. A given module can include at least one module energy / electrical charge storage unit (e.g., a set of batteries and / or a set of capacitors) by which electrical / electronic circuitry of the given module can be powerable or powered (e.g., where the type and capacity of an energy / electrical charge storage unit can depend upon whether electrical / electronic circuitry of the given module is intended to be powered by received WP signals).

[0135] A given module’s set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements includes one or more antennas or transducers configurable or configured for wireless signal communication with a set of mutually compatible, complementary, or counterpart Wl signal Tx / Rx elements carried by another module, in a manner similar, analogous, essentially identical, or identical to that described above. The given module's WIT / WPT unit includes electrical / electronic circuitry configurable or configured to demodulate / decode Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof received from another module by way of the given module's set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements; and electrical / electronic circuitry configurable or configured to modulate / encode a set of sensed signals / data onto or into Wl signals, either as Wl signals in the absence of WP signals or Wl signals carried by WP signals, and output or communicate such Wl and / or WP signals to another module. The given module's WIT / WPT unit can include electrical / electronic circuitry that is similar, analogous, essentially identical, or identical to that described above, and can include integrated circuitry similar, analogous, or corresponding to or including at least one data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine.

[0136] A given module can also carry a module control unit in the form of a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, PLD, and / or a state machine, along with at least one associated memory (e.g., at least one memory) in which program instructions (e.g., executable by the module control unit) and / or data can be stored. One or more portions of a module control unit can be shared or exist in common with one or more portions of the module WIT / WPT unit.

[0137] A number of additional non-limiting representative embodiments of multi-module buryable or buried wireless devices (e.g., wireless blasting-related devices) configurable or configured to provide SD-MM-WST are described in detail hereafter.Aspects of Representative Power Modules (PMs)

[0138] FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a wireless initiation device lOOd configurable or configured for SD-MM-WST in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a DCCM 200d, an IM 400a, a BM 600b, and a power module (PM) 700a that are structurally couplable or coupled together. With respect to the inclusion of the PM 700a, it can be noted that the wireless initiation device lOOd of FIG. 4A illustrates a DCCM 200d that is analogous or generally analogous or analogous to the DCCM 200a shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1C; however, such a wireless initiation device lOOd can alternatively be formed or assembled using a different embodiment of a DCCM 200, such as a DCCM 200b that is generally analogous or analogous to that shown in FIG. IB or FIGs. ID - IE; or a DCCM 200c that is generally analogous or analogous to that shown in FIG. IF. It can also be noted that the wireless initiation device lOOd of FIG. 4A includes an EBM 600b that carries or incorporates a set of electrical / electronic circuit elements, which can facilitate or enable DCCM determination or confirmation of (a) EBM presence, absence, or proximity; and / or (b) EBM type, characteristics, capabilities, and / or identity, as further detailed below.

[0139] With reference to the DCCM 200d and the PM 700a, in general the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 has a limited or predetermined maximum energy storage capacity (e.g., in view of energy storage capacity / power source cost / technology, as-deployed DCCM size constraints, and / or DCCM lifespan requirements relative to typical commercial blasting situations). In multiple embodiments, the PM 700a is configurable or configured for SD- MM-WST, including SD-MM-WPT and possibly, optionally, or typically also at least some SD-MM- WIT, and is structurally couplable or coupled to a portion of the wireless initiation device lOOd (e.g., a particular portion or end of the DCCM 200d) in order to facilitate or enable an extension of the powerable or powered lifespan of the wireless initiation device lOOd (e.g., the in-field / as- deployed lifespan of the DCCM 200d, and thus that of the wireless initiation device lOOe) by way of WP signal transfer to the wireless initiation device lOOd.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 4A, in an embodiment the PM 700a includes a housing 702 that carries at least some of: a PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760; a combined PM control unit (PMCU) + PM WIT / WPT unit 730 / 820; and a PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 810. The PM housing 702 and another (e.g., adjacent) module such as the DCCM 200d can be structurally associated, coupled, or joined / linked with each other in an intended manner by wayof a set of counterpart physical engagement structures 108, such as one or more male - female, push-fit / snap-fit / twist-fit / screw-fit / friction-fit physical couplers or connectors. The housing 702 also includes one or more portions into and / or through which wireless signals (e.g., Wl signals and WP signals) can travel or penetrate such that they can be received by the other module to which the PM 700a is structurally coupled. The PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760 is electrically coupled to the PMCU + WIT / WPT unit 730 / 820, which is electrically coupled to the PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 810. The PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760 can include one or more batteries and / or capacitors, in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. In certain embodiments, the PM 700a also includes a plurality of extendable / extended or projectable / projecting members 705, which can aid the retention of the wireless initiation device lOOd at an intended location or position in a borehole. Thus, the PM 700a can also provide or form a "spider" type retention structure by way of the plurality of extendable or projectable / projecting members 705.

[0141] In multiple embodiments, the PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 810 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to produce and output, emit, or transmit at least WP signals and possibly, optionally, or typically also at least some Wl signals or correlates thereof (e.g., which can correspond to SWIPT / TWIPT signals) intended for or directed to another module to which it is structurally coupled or joined / linked (e.g., an adjacent module such as the DCCM 200d shown in FIG. 4A). The PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 810 can also be configurable or configured to receive at least Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof from another module, such as the DCCM 200d. The PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 810 can include or be one or more types of antennas and / or transducers, for instance, in a manner generally analogous or analogous to that described above with respect to the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 of FIG. 1A.

[0142] In some embodiments such as shown in FIG. 4A, the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 can include a first set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal TX / RX elements 310a configurable or configured to communicate Wl signals and WP signals between the DCCM 200d and the IM 400; and a distinct second set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal TX / Rx elements 310b configurable or configured to communicate WP signals and possibly, optionally, or typically at least some Wl signals between the DCCM 200d and the PM 700a.

[0143] In a number of embodiments, the PM 700a includes a combined PM control unit 730 plus PM WIT / WPT unit 820; however, in other embodiments, the PM control unit 730 and the PM WIT / WPT unit 820 can be separate from (yet electrically coupled to) each other. The PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 can include electronic circuitry configurable or configured to decode received Wl signals, as well as manage or control the generation and output of at least WP signals intended for or directed to at least one other module (e.g., an adjacent module to which the PM 700a is structurally coupled or joined / linked, such as the DCCM 200d of FIG. 4A), where such other module can be defined as a power requesting module. Thus, the PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 can decode Wl signals received from a power requesting module by way of the PM set of WIT signal / WPT signal Tx / Rx elements 810. If the decoded Wl signals correspond to a power transfer request, the PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 can drive the PM set of WIT signal / WPT signal Tx / Rx elements 810 to output WP signals in response to and in accordance with the power transfer request corresponding to the decoded Wl signals. For instance, the PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 can include electronic circuitry configurable or configured to receive an electrical signal from the PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760, generate an oscillating signal therefrom, and activate or drive the PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 810 to generate and transmit WP signals, and optionally, possibly, or typically at least some Wl signals (e.g., where the Wl signals can be separate from the WP signals, or modulated onto the WP signals) in accordance with the power transfer request, such that the power requesting module can receive such WP signals and possibly, optionally, or typically associated Wl signals, and use the received WP signals to (re)charge its own energy / electrical charge storage unit and / or power at least some of its own electrical or electronic circuitry.

[0144] A power transfer request can also include an identifier (e.g., a digital ID or code) corresponding to the power requesting module, and / or an identifier (e.g., a digital ID or code) corresponding to the PM 700a. The PM's generation and output of WP signals intended for or directed to the power requesting module can occur on a selective (e.g., programmable), selectable, or predetermined basis. For instance, depending upon embodiment details, the PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 can control the generation and output of WP signals intended for or directed to the power requesting module in association with or response to a power transfer request received from the power requesting module (e.g., where the power transfer request is correlated with or corresponding to the PM's receipt of one or more Wl signals from the power requesting module) on a (i) once per power transfer request basis, or (II) recurrent or periodicbasis (e.g., a recurrent and automatically timed basis), where such basis is typically indicated or defined by the power transfer request (e.g., at least an initial or first power transfer request) associated with the Wl signals received from the power requesting module. In a number of embodiments, a power transfer request can also indicate, request, or define a power level of the WP signals to be output by the PM module 700a (e.g., corresponding to a selection between at least a first or low power level and a distinct second or high(er) power level).

[0145] While the PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 drives the PM set of WIT signal / WPT signal Tx / Rx elements 810 to thereby output WP signals in accordance with the power requesting module's power transfer request, the power requesting module can receive such WP signals, and can utilize these WPT signals to (re)charge its own energy / electrical charge storage unit and / or power its own electrical or electronic circuitry. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the DCCM 200d can be defined as the power requesting module, and after issuing a power transfer request to the PM 700a, the DCCM 200d can utilize WP signals received from the PM 700a to (re)charge the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 and / or power particular DCCM electrical or electronic circuitry. The DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 can include recharging circuitry or a recharging circuit (e.g., which in certain embodiments is selectively activatable and deactivatable under the direction or control of the DCU 230) by way of which the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 is (re)charged while WP signals are being transferred from the PM 700a to the DCCM 200d, in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the art.

[0146] The PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820 can also be configurable or configured to generate and output particular Wl signals corresponding to an acknowledgment or confirmation of successful power transfer request receipt from a power requesting module, and / or Wl signals corresponding to a message or notification that WP signal generation and output directed to the power requesting module has been paused or terminated (e.g., when the transfer of WP signals to the power requesting module is complete). Such Wl signals can be encoded or modulated onto WP signals that the PM 700a outputs to the power requesting module.

[0147] Further to the above, FIG. 4B shows a PM 700b in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, which can form a module of a buryable or buried wireless device such as a wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a wireless initiation device lOOd analogous to thatshown in FIG. 4A). In an embodiment such as shown in FIG. 4B, the PM 700b includes an energy harvesting unit 770 that is electrically couplable or coupled to a set of energy harvesting transducers 780 and the PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760. The set of energy harvesting transducers 780 can be configurable or configured to capture, collect, or receive one or more types of energy (e.g., ambient energy, such as acoustic / vibrational energy) that can be present in or associated with an environment in which the PM 700b is expected or intended to be deployable or deployed, and convert such captured energy into electrical signals. The energy harvesting unit 770 can include interface / (re)charging circuitry configurable or configured to interface between the set of energy harvesting transducers 780 and the PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760, as well as manage or control the (re)charging of the PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760. Such interface / (re)charging circuitry can include electrical signal rectification, conditioning, and / or level management circuitry, electrical charge storage circuitry (e.g., a set of capacitors), and (re)charging management / control circuitry by way of which the PM energy / electrical charge storage unit 760 can be (re)charged (e.g., trickle charged).

[0148] With reference to FIGs. 4A - 4B, in several embodiments the PMCU + WIT / WPT unit 730,820 includes a controller, which includes integrated circuitry configurable or configured as a microcontroller, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, and / or a state machine, along with at least one associated memory (e.g., at least one memory) in which program instructions (e.g., executable by the PMCU + WIT / WPT unit 730, 820) and / or data can be stored.

[0149] Because a PM 700a, b includes at least one set of Wl signal / WP signal elements 810, in some embodiments the PM 700a, b can be queried, tested, programmed, and / or logged by way of NSD-WST involving one or more types of external systems, apparatuses, or devices that are not portions of a buryable or buried wireless device of which the PM 700a, b is intended to be or is a part (e.g., before the PM 700a, b has been structurally coupled to a DCCM 200). Moreover, in certain embodiments a PM 700a,b can be charged (e.g., fully charged, or at least partially / initially charged) by way of NSD-WST involving one or more types of such external systems, apparatuses, or devices (e.g., before the PM 700a, b is structurally coupled to a DCCM 200).

[0150] In several embodiments, the PM 700a,b (e.g., including the PMCU + PM WIT / WPT unit 730,820] is configurable or configured to normally or by default exist or remain in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode unless woken up or activated in association with PM receipt of anappropriate or specific signal or signal sequence (e.g., a set of wake-up or activation signals) by way of the PM set of Wl signal / WP signal Rx / Rx elements 810. Depending upon embodiment details, a set of wake-up or activation signals can correspond to or encode (i) a power transfer request, or (ii) a separate wake-up or activation request (e.g., a PM wake-up or activation request) that is expected to be followed by a power transfer request. Representative aspects of module wake-up or activation in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure are further detailed below.

[0151] In view of the description herein, in certain embodiments in which a wireless buryable or buried device such as a wireless initiation device 100 includes a DCCM 200 that is structurally coupled to a PM 700a, b, the DCCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 260 can include a set of supercapacitors, and can possibly or optionally exclude a battery (e.g., the DCCM 200 does not itself carry a battery). Such DCCM supercapacitors can initially be uncharged or minimally- charged prior to an encoding process or prior to deployment of the wireless buryable or buried device in-field (e.g., in a borehole). An encoder 80 and / or the PM 700a, b can be configurable or configured to communicate WP signals to the DCCM 200 such that the set of supercapacitors thereof can be electrically charged to at least one particular, target, or predetermined level (e.g., at least one particular, target, or predetermined output voltage signal level).Further Aspects of Representative Explosive Booster Modules (EBMs)

[0152] In some embodiments, an EBM 600b can carry electrical / electronic circuit elements or circuitry configurable or configured to facilitate or enable (a) another wireless initiation device module such as a DCCM 200, or (b) an external system, apparatus, or device such as an encoder 80 to detect the presence, absence, type, characteristics, capabilities and / or identity of the EBM 600b. For instance, the EBM 600b can carry a set of electrical circuit elements and / or electronic circuitry that enables EBM detection / probe circuitry of a first module (e.g., an adjacent module, such as but not necessarily limited to the DCCM 200d shown in FIG. 4A) that forms a portion of a wireless initiation device 100 to at least determine whether the EBM 600b is or is not present and / or is or is not properly structurally associated with or coupled or joined / linked to the first module, such as by way of detecting or determining a characteristic of or change in an electromagnetic signal and / or electrical circuit parameter that can be correlated with the EBM's presence, proximity or physical separation, and / or spatial orientation or alignment relative to the first module in response to a set of wireless signals output or produced by the EBM detection / probe circuitry. More particularly, the EBM 600b can carry a set of circuit elements which upon exposure to a wireless signal (e.g., an EBM probe signal) output by the EBM detection / probe circuitry can affect or alter an electromagnetic signal or electronic circuit characteristic of an electromagnetically coupled (e.g., inductively or capacitively coupled) electrical / electronic circuit of which the EBM's set of circuit elements and the first module's EBM detection circuitry are a part, in a manner that can be correlated with or which depends upon the spatial position and / or orientation of the EBM 600b with respect to the first module. The EBM detection / probe circuitry can be configurable or configured to detect an electromagnetic signal characteristic or coupling parameter, such as by way of detecting a reflected, backscattered, or reradiated wireless signal received from the EBM's set of circuit elements which affects an electrical impedance characteristic or value (e.g., corresponding to an electrical impedance matching / mismatch condition) or an electromagnetic signal amplitude / magnitude and / or phase shift in portions of the electromagnetically coupled electrical or electronic circuit that are carried by the first module.

[0153] With further reference to FIG. 4A in relation to the above, in certain embodiments the EBM 600b carries an EBM set of antennas 615 (e.g., at least one coil antenna); and the DCCM 200d carries a counterpart set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315 (e.g., at least one coil antenna) that is electrically coupled to the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320. The EBM set of antennas 615 and the set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315 are configured to cooperatively align (e.g., auto-align or self-align) with each other when the EBM 600b and the DCCM 600d are properly structurally associated with or coupled or joined / linked to each other (e.g., in an intended or predetermined manner, such as by way of mating engagement between the DCCM 600d and the EBM 600b by which the EBM set of antennas 615 and the set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315 are autoaligned or self-aligned).

[0154] In such an embodiment, EBM detection / probe circuitry of the DCCM 200d can include or be defined as the set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320, and the DCU 230 (e.g., which can be configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions corresponding to EBM detection / probe operations). The DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 can be configurable or configured to drive the set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315 (e.g., under the direction or control of the DCU 230) to output a set of wireless EBM probe signals (e.g., one or more EBM probe pulses, or one or more time varying, oscillating, or periodic EBM probe signals). Moreover, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 and / or the DCU 230 can be configurable or configuredto determine whether an electrical circuit parameter value (e.g., an electrical impedance value) correlated with or corresponding to the existence and / or characteristics of a reflected or backscattered signal generated by the EBM set of antennas 615 in response to the EBM probe pulse(s) or signal(s) does or does not fall within an expected or known value range or exhibits an expected or known value corresponding to proper structural association or coupling between the EBM 600b to the DCCM 200d (e.g., where such proper structural association or coupling may have originally been defined in association with overall wireless initiation device development / design activities). If so, the DCU 230 correspondingly determines that the EBM 600b is present and properly structurally associated with or coupled to the DCCM 200d; otherwise, the DCU 230 determines that the EBM 600b is absent or not properly structurally associated with or coupled to the DCCM 200d, in which case DCU 230 may be further configurable or configured to avoid or prevent the issuance of an ARM and / or a FIRE command intended for or directed to an IC 400a. In certain embodiments, prior to the DCU 230 proceeding with the issuance of an ARM and / or a FIRE command intended for or directed to the IC 400a, the DCU 230 is configurable or configured to successfully manage or control the verification of (i) the proper structural association of the IC 400a with the DCCM 200d, and typically at least some aspects of IC 400 operation / functionality, such as by way of backscatter communication described above in relation to FIGs. 3A - 3D; and (ii) the proper structural association of the EBM 600b with the DCCM 200d, such as by way of backscatter signaling that can be correlated with the presence and proper spatial orientation of the EBM set of antennas 615 relative to the set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315.

[0155] Further to the foregoing, in some embodiments the EBM 600b can additionally or alternatively include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or chip 616 that is electrically coupled to or which includes the EBM set of antennas 615, where the RFID tag or chip 616 is interrogable or queryable by another module (e.g., the DCCM 200d) or an external system, apparatus, or device (e.g., an encoder 80) with respect to which the EBM 600a is properly structurally associated, coupled, or joined / linked. The RFID tag or chip 616 can store data associated with or corresponding to the EBM 600a, such as a set of digital codes corresponding to an EBM identity, type, characteristics / capabilities, manufacture date, and / or manufacture location or site (e.g., one or more of which are indicated or defined by at least one digital code stored in the RFID tag or chip 616). In such embodiments, the RFID tag or chip 616 is typically a passive RFID chip that is activatable / activated and powerable / powered by way of the rectification of WP signals that the EBM set of antennas 615 receives from another module (e.g.,the DCCM 200d) or an external system, apparatus, or device (e.g., an encoder 80), in a manner understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. Wl signals corresponding to requests or commands directed to the RFID tag or chip 616 (e.g., corresponding a digital information retrieval command) can be encoded onto such WP signals, in a manner also understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. Thus, the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 (e.g., under the management or direction of the DCU 230) can be configurable or configured to drive the Set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315 to generate and output WP signals having Wl signals encoded thereon, where the WP signals are used to power the RFID tag or chip 616, and such Wl signals are correlated with or correspond to one or more commands or requests directed to the RFID tag or chip 616, for instance, an EBM identity request. Upon rectification and decoding of these Wl signals, the RFID tag or chip 616 retrieves data such as a digital code (e.g., indicating or corresponding to at least some of an EBM ID, type, manufacture date, and possibly manufacture location or site) from a corresponding memory thereof, and varies or modulates an electrical signal across an output-side electrical load element to encode such data onto a reflected or backscattered signal that the set of DCCM EBM probe antennas 315 can receive. The DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 can further demodulate and decode this reflected or backscattered signal to recover or obtain the data that the RFID tag or chip 616 retrieved from its memory. In certain embodiments, the DCU 230 avoids or prevents the issuance of an ARM and / or a FIRE command intended for or directed to the IM 200a until successfully receiving and verifying the digital code that had been transferred from the EBM's RFID tag or chip 616 to the DCCM 200d.

[0156] In some embodiments in which a wireless initiation device lOOd includes an EBM 600b and a DCCM 200d such as shown in FIG. 4A, the DCCM 200d can be configurable or configured to avoid or prevent issuance of ARM and / or FIRE commands to the IC 400 unless the DCCM 200d has at least detected the presence of the EBM 600b, and a particular (e.g., programmable or predetermined) amount of time or a minimum time period or interval (e.g., at least approximately 1 hour, or at least approximately 2, 3, or more hours, or possibly 1 or more days) has elapsed since the completion of an encoding process directed to the wireless initiation device lOOd. Part of an encoding process directed to the wireless initiation device lOOd can include DCCM confirmation to the encoder 80 that the DCCM 200d has successfully detected the EMB 600b, and possibly DCCM and / or encoder verification or validation of EBM ID, type, and / or other EBM- related information.Aspects of Representative Sensing Modules (SMs)

[0157] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a wireless initiation device lOOe configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-MM-WST according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a DCCM 200a, an IM 400a, an EBM 600a, and a sensing module (SM) 900a that are structurally couplable or coupled together (e.g., by way of mating engagement with each other, such as in association with forming a complete wireless initiation device lOOe). In general, a SM 900a is configurable or configured to detect, sample, retrieve, and / or generate a set of sensed signals / data corresponding to or correlated with one or more types of physical parameters corresponding to a number of environmental conditions internal and / or external to a multi-module buryable or buried wireless device of which it is a part; and output Wl signals correlated with the set of sensed signals / data to another module of this buryable or buried wireless device. Thus, with respect to the wireless initiation device lOOe shown in FIG. 5A, the SM 900a is configurable or configured to (a) produce a set of sensed signals / data corresponding to one or more physical conditions within the wireless initiation device lOOe itself and / or in an external environment in which the wireless initiation device lOOe resides (e.g., a borehole); and (b) output Wl signals correlated with the set of sensed signals / data to the DCCM 200a. The set of sensed signals / data can correspond to or indicate one or more near-instantaneous or most- current values, recent values, and / or historical (e.g., time averaged) values of particular physical parameters under consideration, such as temperature, pressure, pH, electrical conductivity, surrounding medium density or type, and / or other parameters.

[0158] In some embodiments, the SM 900a includes a housing 902 that carries a SM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1010; a SM WIT / WPT unit 1020; a Sensing Module Control Unit (SCU) 930; a SM energy / electrical charge storage unit 960; and a set of sensors, sensing elements, or sensing devices 940. The housing 902 and another (e.g., adjacent) module such as the DCCM 200a can be structurally associated, coupled, or joined / linked with each other in an intended manner by way of a set of counterpart physical engagement structures 108 such as one or more male - female, push-fit / snap-fit / twist-fit / screw-fit / friction-fit physical couplers or connectors. The housing 902 includes one or more portions into and / or through which wireless signals (e.g., Wl signals and WP signals) can travel or penetrate such that they can be received by the other module (e.g., the DCCM 200a) to which the SM 900a is structurally coupled. In specific embodiments, the SM 900a also includes a plurality of extendable or projectable / projecting members 905, which can aid the retention of the wireless initiation device lOOe at an intendedlocation or position in a borehole. Thus, the SM 900a can also provide or form a "spider" type retention structure by way of the plurality of extendable or projectable / projecting members 905.

[0159] The SCU 930 and the SM WIT / WPT unit 1020 are electrically coupled to the SM energy / electrical charge storage unit 960. The SM WIT / WPT unit 1020 is electrically coupled to the SM set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1010 and the SCU 930. The SCU 930 is electrically coupled to the set of sensors 940. In certain embodiments, the set of sensors 940 can additionally or alternatively be electrically coupled to the SM energy / electrical charge storage unit 960, possibly in a selective or selectable manner by way of a switch or switching circuit controlled by the SCU 930.

[0160] The set of SM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1010 includes a set of antennas or transducers configurable or configured to receive and output at least Wl signals, such as in a manner described above. The SM Wl / WP unit 1020 includes electrical electronic circuitry configurable or configured to demodulate and decode inbound or received sensing request signals, and modulate or encode a set of sensing signals / data onto outbound SM response or reply signals. The SM Wl / WP unit 1020 can include input-side and output-side electrical / electronic interface circuitry, as well as integrated circuitry similar, analogous, or corresponding to or including a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine. The SCU 930 includes a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine. The SM Wl / WP unit 1020 and the SCU 930 also have at least one memory associated therewith, in which program instructions and / or data can be stored. The SM Wl / WP unit 1020 and the SCU 930 can be separate units, or can have at least some shared or common electronic circuitry.

[0161] Depending upon embodiment details and / or an expected type of environment in which the wireless initiation device lOOe is to be deployed, the set of sensors 940 can include a set of transducers configurable or configured to sense, detect, acquire, or measure at least one type of physical parameter. For instance, the set of transducers can include one or more temperature sensors, pressure sensors, pH sensors, electrical conductivity sensors, acoustic signal generatorsand detectors, and / or other types of sensing-related transducers, depending upon embodiment details.

[0162] In several embodiments, by way of the SM set of Wl signal Tx / Rx elements 1010, the SM Wl / WPT unit 1020, and the SCU 930, the SM 900a is configurable or configured to receive, decode, and process sensing request signals output by the DCCM 200a, where such sensing request signals include or are Wl signals that encode one or more sensing requests issued by the DCCM 200a to the SM 900a. A sensing request can include an identifier (e.g., a digital ID or code) corresponding to the module that originated or output the sensing request, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A is the DCCM 200a; and / or an identifier (e.g., a digital ID or code) corresponding to the SM 900a. Depending upon embodiment details, Wl signals that encode one or more sensing requests can be Wl signals in the absence of WP signals, orWI signals associated with or modulated onto WP signals. In response to the receipt of a sensing request, the SCU 930 manages or controls the acquisition, capture, or generation of a set of sensed signals / data by way of the set of sensors 940 in accordance with the sensing request (e.g., utilizing one or more sensors within the set of sensors 940, based on the sensing request). The SCU 930 subsequently manages or controls the generation and output of sensing response or reply signals, which can be referred to as SM response or reply signals, in association with the SM WIT / WPT unit 1020 and the SM set of Wl signal Tx / Rx elements 1010, where the SM response signals are intended for or directed to the DCCM 200a. The SM response signals include or are Wl signals that carry or encode the set of sensed signals / data acquired or generated by way of the set of sensors 940 in accordance with the SM request.

[0163] The DCU 230, in association with the DCCM WIT / WPT unit 320 and the set of DCCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310, can receive and decode the SM response signals to recover or obtain the set of sensed signals / data acquired or generated by the SM 900a. After recovering or obtaining the set of sensed signals / data, the DCU 230 can process / analyze the set of sensed signals / data, and / or initiate, control, or manage one or more DCCM operations (e.g., based upon such processing / analysis).

[0164] In multiple embodiments the DCU 230 can initiate, manage, or control the communication of a set of sensed signals / data and / or a set of notifications / alerts corresponding thereto to one or more external (e.g., remote) systems, apparatuses, or devices by way of NSD-WST. As arepresentative example, in embodiments in which the wireless initiation device lOOe is configurable or configured for 2-way TTE signal communication, the wireless initiation device lOOe can generate and output TTE signals correlated with or carrying a set of sensed signals / data and / or a corresponding set of notifications / alerts, where such TTE signals are intended for or directed to a remote blast management / control system. In an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 5A, if the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 is configurable or configured for 2-way TTE signal communication, the DCU 230 can manage or control the operation of the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 to modulate a set of sensed signals / data and / or a set of notifications / alerts onto TTE signals, and drive the Set of DCCM TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210 to output such TTE signals that carry the set of sensed signals / data and / or the set of notifications / alerts. A remote system, apparatus, or device such as a blast management / control system can receive and demodulate these TTE signals carrying the set of sensed signals / data and / or the set of notifications / alerts; process / analyze the set of sensed signals / data and / or the set of notifications / alerts; and selectively (e.g., programmably) or selectably initiate one or more blast management / control processes or procedures in response. For instance, if most-recent temperature data communicated by the SM 900a to the DCCM 200a indicates that the wireless initiation device lOOe or a medium / environment (e.g., an explosive composition medium in a borehole) in which the wireless initiation device lOOe resides is likely to be or is being exposed to temperatures exceeding a particular or predetermined temperature threshold, the DCU 230 can manage or control the generation and output of TTE signals correlated with or encoding such most-recent temperature data and / or a notification / alert associated therewith. Upon receiving and demodulating such TTE signals and recovering or obtaining this most-recent temperature data and / or the associated notification / alert, a remote blast management / control system can analyze the most-recent temperature data and / or the associated notification / alert, then update a recommended blast execution time, and / or generate a number of related notifications / alerts directed to blast management / control personnel (e.g., to indicate a potentially unsafe condition).

[0165] In multiple embodiments, the SM 900a (e.g., including the SCU 930, and possibly, optionally, or typically the SM WIT / WPT unit 1020) is configurable or configured to normally or by default exist or remain in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode unless woken up or activated in association with SM receipt of an appropriate or specific signal or signal sequence (e.g., a set of wake-up or activation signals) by way of the SM set of Wl signal / WP signal Rx / Rx elements1010. Depending upon embodiment details, a set of wake-up or activation signals can correspond to or encode (i) a sensing request, or (ii) a separate wake-up or activation request (e.g., a SM wake-up or activation request) that is expected to be followed by a sensing request. Representative aspects of module wake-up or activation in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure are further detailed below.

[0166] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a SM 900b in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the SM 900b need not or does not include a battery-based SM energy / electrical charge storage unit 960, and instead typically includes a set of capacitors (e.g., the SM 900b need not or does not include a battery). Electrical / electronic circuitry within the SM 900b (e.g., including this set of capacitors) is powerable or powered (e.g., transitioned to and maintained in a powered-up state) by way of WP signals received from another (e.g., adjacent) module (e.g., the DCCM 200a), such that SM operations similar, analogous, or essentially identical to those described above can be performed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the SCU 930 and the SM WIT / WPT unit 1020 exist as a combined or unified SCU + SM WIT / WPT unit 930 / 1020, which share at least some electronic circuitry such as a data processing unit (e.g., a microcontroller, an ASIC, a programmable logic device, and / or a state machine) and an associated memory. Once the SCU + SM WIT / WPT unit 930 / 1020 has been powered-up by way of WP signals received by a set of SM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1010, the SCU + SM WIT / WPT unit 930 / 1020 can demodulate / decode and process sensing request signals modulated onto received WP signals, where such sensing request signals include or are Wl signals that encode one or more sensing requests. The SCU + SM WIT / WPT unit 930 / 1020 manages or controls the acquisition, capture, or generation of a set of sensed signals / data by way of the set of sensors 940 in accordance with the sensing request, and subsequently manages or controls the generation and output of SM response or reply signals by way of the set of SM Wl signal Tx / Rx elements 1010. The SM response signals can include or be Wl signals encoded or modulated onto backscattered or reflected WP signals, for instance, in a manner analogous to that described above in relation to backscatter or reflected signal communication.Aspects of Representative Mesh Networking Modules (MNMs)

[0167] In some embodiments, each wireless buryable or buried device within a plurality of buryable or buried wireless includes a mesh networking module (MNM) that is configurable or configured for NSD TTE signal mesh network communication with a MNM of at least one otherwireless buryable or buried device within the plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices. In order to increase or maximize the likelihood of reliable TTE signal mesh network communication between the MNMs of two or more wireless buryable or buried devices, the two or more wireless buryable or buried devices should be located, positioned, or deployed (e.g., in-field) within a limited or controlled spatial distance relative to each other considering factors such as (i) the power budget constraints of each wireless buryable or buried device that is intended to be part of the mesh network (e.g., particularly in situations in which each wireless buryable or buried device is a self-contained, single-use / consumable / disposable device); and (ii) the expected or actual TTE signal attenuation properties corresponding to one or more media or materials (e.g., portions of a rock formation) in which the MNM-equipped wireless buryable or buried devices are expected to be deployed or are deployed. Depending upon situational / environmental and / or embodiment details, a distance between MNM-equipped wireless buryable or buried devices which are configured to reliably communicate with each other by way of TTE signal mesh networking can be less than or equal to approximately 100, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, or 10 meters in view of factors (i) and (ii) above.

[0168] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a buryable or buried wireless device in the form of a wireless initiation device lOOf in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a mesh networking module (MNM) 1100 as well as a DCCM 200a, an IC 400a, and an EBM 600a. The MNM 1100, the DCCM 200a, the IC 400a, and the EBM 600a are structurally couplable or coupled to each other (e.g., structurally joined / linked together), and particular modules of the wireless initiation device lOOe are configurable or configured to provide or perform SD-WST (e.g., SD-MM-WST and / or SD-MM-WPT) with respect to each other, such as in one or more manners described herein. The MNM 1100 of the wireless initiation device shown in FIG. 6 is configurable to provide or perform NSD mesh network TTE (MN-TTE) signal communication (e.g., involving one or more MNMs 1100 respectively corresponding to one or more other wireless initiation devices lOOf), as well as SD-WST with respect to the DCCM 200a to which this MNM 1100 corresponds, as further detailed below.

[0169] The MNM 1100 includes a housing 1102 that carries a set of MN-TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 1110 electrically coupled to a corresponding MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120; and a set of MNM SD-WST signal Tx / Rx elements 1210 electrically coupled to a corresponding MNM SD-WST unit 1220. The MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120 and the MNM SD-WSTunit 1220 are each electrically coupled to a MNM energy / electrical charge storage unit 1160 (e.g., which includes one or more batteries and possibly or typically one or more sets of capacitors). The MNM 1100 is structurally couplable to or matlngly engageable with the DCCM 200a (e.g., in a manner similar, analogous, or essentially identical to that previously described). The MNM's housing 1102 includes one or more portions into and / or through which wireless signals (e.g., Wl signals and WP signals) can travel or penetrate such that SD-WST involving the DCCM 200a and the MNM 1100 can occur. In certain embodiments, the MNM 1100 also includes a plurality of extendable or projectable / projecting members 1105, which can aid the retention of the wireless initiation device lOOf at an intended location or position in a borehole. Thus, the MNM 1100 can provide or form a "spider" type retention structure by way of the plurality of extendable or projectable / projecting members 1105.

[0170] The set of MN-TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 110 and the MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120 are configured to cooperatively operate to send / receive NSD MN-TTE signals in accordance with a MN-TTE signal frequency. Depending upon embodiment details, the MN-TTE signal frequency by way of which the MNMs of different wireless initiation devices lOOf in a TTE signal mesh network can communicate with each other can be the same as, similar to, overlapping with, or distinct / different / suitably separated from and non-overlapping with a remote TTE (R-TTE) signal communication frequency by way of which a remote or distant system, a pparatus, or device (e.g., a remote blast control system or apparatus) communicates with the wireless initiation device lOOf. A remote or distant system, apparatus, or device can be or typically is configured to communicate with / control multiple or many wireless initiation devices lOOf disposed dozens (e.g., many dozens) or hundreds of meters (e.g., several or many hundreds of meters) away from the remote system, apparatus, or device, which is beyond or well beyond a reliable MN-TTE signal communication distance. The remote system, apparatus, or device may send R-TTE signals by way of a set of unicast operations, one or more group-east operations, and / or broadcast operations to some or all of the wireless initiation devices lOOf. A given MNM-equipped wireless initiation device lOOf once deployed (e.g., in-field, such as in a borehole) is typically limited with respect to reliably communicating MN-TTE signals over a much shorter distance than the distance over which R-TTE signals can be reliably communicated because of factors (I) and (II) above.

[0171] The set of MN-TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 1110 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to transmit and receive NSD MN-TTE signals, for instance, at one or morefrequencies (e.g., at least one tuned frequency such as a center frequency) between approximately 0.1 Hz - 10 kHz (e.g., between approximately 10 Hz - 8 kHz, or approximately 30 Hz - 5 kHz). In some embodiments, a R-TTE signal frequency can be defined or established as a first frequency, and an MN-TTE signal frequence can be defined or established as a distinct, nonoverlapping second frequency. The first frequency can be higher or lower than the second frequency, depending upon situational / environmental and / or embodiment details. For instance, a R-TTE signal frequency can be defined or established between approximately 0.5 -5.0 kHz, and a non-overlapping MN-TTE signal frequency can be defined or established between approximately 2.0 - 10.0 kHz. More particularly, a R-TTE signal frequency can be defined or established between approximately 1.0 - 3.0 kHz; and a non-overlapping MN-TTE signal frequency can be defined or established between approximately 2.0 - 5.0 kHz.

[0172] The set of MN-TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 1110 includes one or more types of TTE signal reception elements (e.g., a set of magnetometers / coil type antennas) and TTE signal transmission elements (e.g., a set of coil antennas). In several embodiments, the set of MN-TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 1110 includes a set of coil type antennas (e.g., three coil antennas in an x- axis, y-axis, z-axis orientation relative to each other with respect to orthogonal x, y, and z spatial axes).

[0173] The MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to demodulate / decode and process received or inbound MN-TTE signals, and electronic circuitry configurable or configured to communicate inbound data, requests, instructions, or commands corresponding to received or inbound MN-TTE signals to the MNM SD- WST unit 1220, such that the MNM SD-WST unit 1120 can further communicate the inbound data, requests, instructions, or commands to the DCCM 200a by way of SD-WSD (e.g., involving the SD- WST WIT / WPT unit 1220 and the set of MNM SD-WST signal Tx / Rx elements 1210). The MN- TTE signal communication unit 1120 additionally includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to encode / modulate outbound NSD MN-TTE signals in accordance with outbound data, requests, instructions, or commands received from the DCCM 200a by way of SD-WST (e.g., involving the set of MNM SD-WST signal Tx / Rx elements 1210 and the SD-WST WIT / WPT unit 1220), and control the transmission of such outbound NSD MN-TTE signals external to the MNM 1100 beyond the cross-sectional area, spatial diameter, or volume of the MNM 1100 and the wireless initiation device lOOf to which this MNM 1100 corresponds (e.g., multiple or severalmeters away from the wireless initiation device lOOe, for instance, 2 - 30 meters away from the MNM 1100 corresponding to the wireless initiation device lOOf). In view of the foregoing, in several embodiments the MNM 1100 is configurable or configured for 2-way NSD MN-TTE signal communication. The MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120 can include integrated circuitry such as a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine, as well as an associated memory in which signals / data and program instructions executable by the MN- TTE signal communication unit 1120 can be stored.

[0174] The set of MNM SD-WI signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1210 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to produce and output, emit, or transmit Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof directed to the DCCM 200a, as well as receive Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof from the DCCM 200a. As further described below, depending upon embodiment details the set of MNM SD-WI signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 310 can include or be one or more types of antennas (e.g., coil antennas) and / or transducers that facilitate or enable SD-WST between the MNM 1100 and the DCCM 200a.

[0175] The MNM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1220 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to activate or drive the set of MNM SD-WI signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1210 to generate and transmit Wl signals and possibly WP signals or correlates thereof directed to the DCCM 200a. In multiple embodiments, the MNM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1220 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to encode / modulate MNM data, requests, instructions, or commands that the MNM 1100 received by way of the MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120, and electronic circuitry configurable or configured to transmit, output, or transfer such MNM data, requests, instructions, or commands to the DCCM 200a. The MNM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1220 also includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to demodulate / decode Wl signals and possibly WP signals orcorrelates thereof received from the DCCM 200a by way of the set of MNM SD-WI signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1210, and electronic circuitry configurable or configured to transfer data, requests, instructions, or commands correlated or associated therewith to the MN-TTE signal communication unit 1220 (e.g., such that the MN-TTE signal communication unit 1220 can manage or control the output of corresponding NSD MN-TTE signals).

[0176] Depending upon embodiment details, the MNM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1220 can include integrated circuitry similar, analogous, or corresponding to or including at least one data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine. Such integrated circuitry can be separate from the MN-TTE signal communication unit 1220; or the MNM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1220 and the MN-TTE signal communication unit 1120 can have at least some shared or common integrated circuitry.

[0177] With respect to at least outbound MN-TTE signal communication, in some embodiments the MNM 1100 can be configurable or configured to normally or by default exist or remain in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode unless woken up or activated in association with MNM receipt of an appropriate or specific signal or signal sequence (e.g., a set of wake-up or activation signals) by way of the MNM set of Wl signal / WP signal Rx / Rx elements 1210. Depending upon embodiment details, a set of wake-up or activation signals can correspond to or encode (i) a MN request, instruction, or command; or (ii) a separate wake-up or activation request (e.g., a MNM wake-up or activation request) that is expected to be followed by a MN request, instruction, or command. Representative aspects of module wake-up or activation in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure are further detailed below.Aspects of Representative Uplink Communication Modules (UCMs)

[0178] In some embodiments, a DCCM 200 by itself may be configured (e.g., as-manufactured) as a 1-way, receive-only TTE signal communication device that is configured to receive inbound or downlink TTE (D-TTE) signals, but which is not configured by itself to output or transmit outbound or uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals, particularly with respect to R-TTE signal communication involving one or more remote systems, apparatuses, or devices (e.g., which are located several dozens of meters, or more than 100 meters, for instance, multiple hundreds of meters, away from the DCCM 200 when the DCCM 200 is deployed in-filed). In such embodiments, a wireless buryable or buried device such as a wireless blasting-related device (e.g., a wireless initiation device 100) can include an uplink communication module (UCM) that is configurable or configured to provide or perform U-TTE signal communication directed to one or more remote systems, apparatuses, or devices.

[0179] Further to the foregoing, FIG. 7 A is a schematic illustration of a wireless initiation device 100g-l in accordance with yet a nother embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the wireless initiation device 100g-l includes or is formed of an UCM 1300a, a 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e, an IM 400a, and an EBM 600a, which can be structurally coupled together (e.g., in a manner previously described). In such an embodiment, the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e is configured to receive and process 1-way D-TTE signal signals, but by itself is not configured to provide or perform U-TTE signal communication, and thus the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e by itself does not directly support bidirectional or 2-way downlink-plus-uplink TTE signal communication. The 1- way D-TTE DCCM 200e includes a set of DCCM TTE signal Rx elements 210 (e.g., a set of magnetometers or coil antennas, such as three coil antennas, which can be spatially organized relative to each other along orthogonal x, y, and z spatial axes), and typically omits, lacks, or excludes DCCM TTE signal Tx elements. The set of DCCM TTE signal Rx elements 210 in association with the DCCM TTE signal communication unit 220 and the DCU 230 are configured to receive and process 1-way D-TTE signals corresponding to or having a D-TTE signal frequency (e.g., a D-TTE signal center frequency, and / or a D-TTE signal frequency band).

[0180] The UCM 1300a includes a housing 1302 that carries a set of U-TTE signal communication elements 1310 (e.g., a first set of UCM coil antennas); a U-TTE signal communication unit 1320; an UCM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1420; a set of UCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx elements 1410 (e.g., a second set of UCM coil antennas); and an UCM energy / electrical charge storage unit 1360, which is electrically coupled to the U-TTE signal communication unit 1320 and the UCM SD-WIT / WPT unit 1420. The UCM's housing 1302 includes one or more portions into and / or through which wireless signals (e.g., at least Wl signals, and possibly WP signals] can travel or penetrate such that SD-WST between the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e and the UCM 1300a can occur. In certain embodiments, the UCM 1300a also includes a plurality of extendable or projectable / projecting members 1305, which can provide a "spider" type retention structure that aids the retention of the wireless initiation device 100g-l at an intended location or position in a borehole.

[0181] The set of UCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1410 includes electronic circuitry configurable or configured to communicate SD-WI signals between the UCM 1300a and the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e, and can include or be one or more types of antennas (e.g., a set of coil antennas) and / or transducers that facilitate WST between the UCM 1300a and the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e. The UCM WIT / WPT unit 1420 includes electronic circuitry configurable orconfigured to demodulate / decode SD-WI signals received from the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e by way of the set of UCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1410; and electronic circuitry configurable or configured to transfer requests, commands, instructions, and data correlated or associated therewith to the U-TTE signal communication unit 1320. The UCM WIT / WPT unit 1420 can also include electronic circuitry configurable or configured to encode / modulate data (e.g., status data, or transmission acknowledgment data) received from the U-TTE signal communication 1320 unit, and drive the drive the set of UCM Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements 1410 to generate and transmit corresponding SD-WI signals directed to the 1-way D- TTE DCCM 200e. The UCM WIT / WPT unit 1420 can include integrated circuitry similar, analogous, or corresponding to or including a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine, as well as an associated memory configurable or configured to store data and such program instructions.

[0182] The U-TTE signal communication unit 1320 in association with the set of U-TTE signal Tx elements 1310 provide electronic circuitry configurable or configured to encode / modulate uplink communication data received by way of SD-WST communication with the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e (e.g., where such data can correspond to wireless initiation device or wireless initiation device module identity, programming information, operational status or state, and / or other information), plus generate and output or transmit U-TTE signals correlated with or corresponding to such uplink communication data. The U-TTE signals have a U-TTE signal frequency (e.g., a U-TTE signal center frequency, and / or a U-TTE signal frequency band), which can be the same as or distinct or separate from the D-TTE signal frequency. In some embodiments, the U-TTE signals have a different center frequency than the D-TTE signals. The U- TTE signal frequency band can be distinct or separate from the D-TTE signal frequency band. In specific embodiments, the U-TTE signals have a center frequency that is between at least approximately 100 Hz - 2 kHz away from (e.g., higher or lower than) a center frequency of the D- TTE signals.

[0183] It can be noted that in some embodiments, the set of U-TTE signal Tx elements 1310 can include or be one or more coil antennas that contain more or many more windings (e.g., at least approximately 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% more windings] than and / or which are physically larger (e.g., in terms of coil length and / or diameter, for instance, at least approximately 20%, 30%, 40%,or 50% longer and / or wider) than one or more coil antennas of the set of DCCM TTE signal Rx elements 210. In certain embodiments, the set of U-TTE signal Tx elements 1310 includes or is formed of a single coil antenna, whereas the set of DCCM TTE signal Rx elements 210 can include or be formed of multiple magnetometers and / or coil antennas.

[0184] The U-TTE signal communication unit 1320 includes integrated circuitry providing a data processing unit such as a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) configurable or configured to execute stored program instructions and / or implement a state machine, and an associated memory configured to store data and such program instructions. In a number of embodiments, at least some of such integrated circuitry can be common to or shared between the U-TTE signal communication unit 1320 and the UCM WIT / WPT unit 1420.

[0185] In view of the foregoing, by way of SD-WST the 1-way downlink TTE DCCM 200e can send or issue a U-TTE communication request, instruction, or command to the UCM 1300, along with associated or corresponding U-TTE data. Upon receiving the U-TTE communication request, instruction, or command from the 1-way downlink TTE DCCM 200e, the U-TTE signal communication unit 1320 encodes / modulates the U-TTE data, and drives the set of U-TTE signal Tx elements 1310 to output U-TTE signals that correspond to, are correlate with, or carry the U- TTE data. Such U-TTE signals can be directed to one or more systems, apparatuses, or devices (e.g., portions of a remote blast control system) that are remote from the wireless initiation device 100g-l.

[0186] With respect to U-TTE signal communication, in some embodiments the UCM 1300 can be configurable or configured to normally or by default exist or remain in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode unless woken up or activated in association with UCM receipt of an appropriate or specific signal or signal sequence (e.g., a set of wake-up or activation signals) by way of the set of UCM Wl signal / WP signal Rx / Rx elements 1410. Depending upon embodiment details, a set of wake-up or activation signals can correspond to or encode (i) an U-TTE communication request, instruction, or command; or (ii) a separate wake-up or activation request (e.g., a UCM wake-up or activation request) that is expected to be followed by a U-TTE communication request, instruction, or command. Representative aspects of module wake-up or activation in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure are further detailed below.

[0187] FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a wireless initiation device 100g-2 further to the embodiment of FIG. 7 A, in which portions of a sensing or sensing module 900 such as an SCU 930 and a set of sensors 940 as set forth in relation to FIG. 6 are combined with or integrated into a UCM 1300b. In such embodiments, the sensing control unit 930 can manage or control the operation of the set of sensors 940 to detect, acquire, and / or process particular sensed signals / data, for instance, on a one-time or repeated / recurrent basis in accordance with one or more sensing requests corresponding to demodulated / decoded sensing request signals received from the DCCM 200e by way of SD-WST between the DCCM 200e and the UCM 1300b. The SCU 930 and / or the DCU 230 can process and / or analyze the sensed signals / data, and can issue one or more uplink communication requests, instructions, or commands to the U-TTE signal communication unit 1320 such that data, messages, and / or alerts corresponding to sensed signals are wirelessly directed to one or more remote systems, apparatuses, or devices (e.g., portions of a remote blast control / blast design system) by way of U-TTE signal communication involving the set of U-TTE signal Tx elements 1310.Aspects of Representative Uplink Communication / Mesh Networking Nodes

[0188] In some embodiments, a wireless buryable or buried device (e.g., a wireless blasting- related device) can be configurable or configured to include or be a TTE signal communication relay / routing node by way of which particular types of TTE signals (e.g., MN-TTE signals and U- TTE signals) can be communicated between and / or within a set of TTE signal communication networks, including or such as at least a first TTE signal communication network based on MN- TTE signal signal communication, and an additional TTE signal communication network based on at least U-TTE signal communication, typically also in combination with D-TTE signal communication. Such a TTE signal communication relay / routing node can intentionally omit or exclude or avoid structural coupling to devices configurable or configured to intentionally cause explosive initiation, e.g., an IM 400 and an EBM 600.

[0189] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a wireless buryable or buried device in the form of a TTE signal communication relay / routing node 1500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e that is structurally coupled to a MNM 1100 (e.g., at a first portion or end of the DCCM 200e) as well as an UCM 1300a (e.g., at another second portion or end of the DCCM 200e). With respect to the TTE signal communicationrelay / routing node 1500, the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e is configured to receive D-TTE signals, which can be generated or output by one or more remote systems, apparatuses, or devices. The 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e and the MNM 1100 are configured to communicate with each other by way of SD-WST (e.g., involving Wl signal transfer and possibly WP signal transfer therebetween), and the 1-way D-TTE DCCM 200e and the UCM 1300a are also configured to communicate with each other by way of SD-WST (e.g., involving Wl signal transfer and possibly WP signal transfer therebetween). The MNM 1100 is also configured to communicate with other wireless buryable or buried devices (e.g., other wireless blasting-related devices, such as wireless initiation devices lOOf) by way of NSD MN-TTE signals; and the UCM 1300a is also configured to communicate with one or more uplink or remote systems, apparatuses, or devices by way of NSD U-TTE signals.Further Aspects of Encoder-Related Communication / Encoding Processes

[0190] With respect to the description above, it can be noted that an encoder 80 can be configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with and query, test, program, power, and / or charge multiple types of modules, such as a PM 700, a SM 900, a MNM 1100, and / or a UCM 1300. Such wireless communication between an encoder 80 and a PM 700, a SM 900, a MNM 1100, and / or a UCM 1300 can occur separate from or independent of encoder communication with one or more other modules such as a DCCM 200 and / or an IM 400, or in association with encoder communication with one or more other modules such as a DCCM 200 and / or an IM 400. For instance, an encoder 80 or other apparatus can query and verify or validate the type, functionality, and / or an identifier of and possibly, optionally, or typically charge an energy / electrical charge storage unit of a PM 700, a SM 900, a MNM 1100, and / or a UCM 1300 before and / or after any such module is structurally coupled to another module to form portions of a given wireless buryable or buried device.Aspects of Representative Module Wake-Up Processes

[0191] As indicated above, a particular module of a wireless buryable or buried device (e.g., a wireless blasting related device such as a wireless initiation device 100 or a TTE signal communication relay / routing node 1500] can normally exist in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode unless woken up or activated in association with or in response to the receipt of an appropriate or specific signal or signal sequence, such as a set of wake-up or activation signals communicated to the particular module from another module of the wireless buryable or buried device by way of SD-MM-WST. As also indicated above, SD-MM-WST in the context of a particularwireless buryable or buried device occurs by way of Wl signal and / or WP signal transfer between modules (e.g., a first module and a second module, which can be or which typically are adjacent to each other) of the particular wireless buryable or buried device.

[0192] In multiple embodiments, each module that is configurable or configured to provide the particular wireless buryable or buried device with SD-MM-WST capabilities or functionality includes a set of Wl signal / WP signal Tx / Rx elements electrically coupled to a WIT / WPT unit. Each module also includes a control / data processing unit, which depending upon embodiment details can be distinct or separate from the module's WIT / WPT unit, or can form portions of the module's WIT / WPT unit. Each module can also include an energy / electrical charge storage unit (e.g., a battery and / or a set of capacitors), which is electrically couplable or coupled to the module's WIT / WPT unit and the module's control / data processing unit.

[0193] In some embodiments, a given module that normally exists in or which can be transitioned to a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode includes a power switch that is selectively electrically couplable to the given module's WIT / WPT unit and / or the given module's control / data processing unit. In such embodiments, a set of wake-up or activation signals directed to the given module includes or is a "power latching" WP signal, which can be a WP signal that encodes or includes at least some data corresponding to a wake-up request, instruction, or command directed to the given module. Such data can include a code or identifier (e.g., a categorical and / or a unique code or identifier) corresponding the given module. The power latching WP signal has a power level that is at least sufficient to activate or turn-on the power switch, such that the given module's control / data processing unit is electrically coupled to the given module's energy / electrical charge storage unit, and thus the given module's control / data processing unit turns on in response to the given module's receipt of the power latching WP signal. The given module's control / data processing unit can process / analyze the received power latching WP signal to determine if the received power latching WP signal carries or corresponds to the code or identifier corresponding to the given module. If not, the given module's control / data processing unit transitions the power switch back to an off state, and the given module transitions or returns to a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode. If the received power latching WP signal carries or corresponds to the code or identifier corresponding to the given module, the given module's control / data processing unit remains in an on or active state, awaiting further SD-MM-WST communication relating to one or more requests, instructions, or commands directed to the givenmodule. After receiving one or more requests, instructions, or commands and performing operations corresponding thereto to carry out the one or more requests, instructions, or commands, or in the event no requests, instructions, or commands have been received within a programmably specified or predetermined wait interval (e.g., at least approximately 3 - 30 seconds, or between approximately 3 seconds - 5 minutes depending upon embodiment details), the given module's command / data processing unit transitions the power switch back to an off state, and the given module transitions or returns to a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode.

[0194] In view of the foregoing, FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a given module 1600 of a wireless buryable or buried device, which is configurable or configured to receive and process / analyze power latching WP signals and wake-up or transition to an active mode in the event that a received power latching WP signal corresponds to the given module 1600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The given module 1600 includes a housing 1602 that carries a module control or data processing unit (MCU) 1630; a module energy / electrical charge storage unit 1660; a module power switch 1665; a set of module WIT / WPT signal Tx / Rx elements 1710; a module WIT / WPT unit 1720; a set of module-type-based or module-type-specific units, devices, and / or elements 1800. The given module's housing 1602 includes one or more portions into and / or through which wireless signals (e.g., Wl signals and WP signals) can travel or penetrate such that they can be received by another module to which the given module 1600 is structurally coupled. The housing 1602 can also carry a set of physical engagement structures 1606 (e.g., 1606a-d) configurable or configured to structurally associate, couple, join, or link the given module 1600 to at least one other module.

[0195] The set of module-type-based units, devices, and / or elements 1800 includes one or more types of electronic circuitry configurable or configured to perform module-type-based or moduletype-specific operations under the management, direction, or control of the MCU 1660, such as particular types of module-based or module-specific operations described herein in relation to FIGs. 1A - 8 (e.g., corresponding to particular embodiments of wireless initiation devices 100, or TTE signal communication relay / routing nodes 1500).

[0196] The MC 1630, the module WIT / WPT unit 1720, and the set of module-type-based units, devices, and / or elements 1800 are electrically couplable (e.g., selectively or selectably electrically couplable) to the module energy / electrical charge storage unit 1660 by way of the module powerswitch 1665. The module power switch 1665 can include a set of transistors configured to (a) turn on and electrically couple the MC 1630, the module WIT / WPT unit 1720, and the set of moduletype-based units, devices, and / or elements 1800 to the module energy / electrical charge storage unit 1660 in response to a power latching WP signal; and (b) turn off and hence electrically decouple the MC 1630, the module WIT / WPT unit 1720, and the set of module-type-based units, devices, and / or elements 1800 from the module energy / electrical charge storage unit 1660 in response to a power switch control signal output by the MCU 1630 or the module WIT / WPT unit 1720, in a manner understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art.Additional / Other Module Configurations Relating to TTE Signal Communication

[0197] Depending upon embodiment details, a DCCM 200 and / or one or more other modules of a wireless buryable or buried device can be configurable or configured to (a) receive and process D-TTE signals; (b) receive and process MN-TTE signals, and output MN-TTE signals; and (c) output U-TTE signals. For instance, in certain embodiments, a DCCM 200 itself can be configured to at least two of or each of (a) receive and process D-TTE signals; (b) receive and process MN-TTE signals, and output MN-TTE signals; and (c) output U-TTE signals. In such embodiments, the DCCM 200 itself includes electronic circuitry (e.g., at least one set of TTE signal communication units 220 and at least one corresponding set of TTE signal Tx / Rx elements 210) similar or analogous to electronic circuitry described herein with respect to performing or configured to perform at least two of or each of D-TTE, MN-TTE, and U-TTE signal communication. In other embodiments, receipt and processing of MN-TTE signals, and output of MN-TTE signals, occurs by way of a MNM 1100 that is distinct from the DCCM 200; and / or output of U-TTE signals occurs by way of a UCM 1300 that is distinct from the DCCM 200.Representative Commercial Blasting System Configurations

[0198] A commercial blasting system can include or more types of wireless blasting-related devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, such as one or more types of wireless initiation devices 100 described herein, and possibly or optionally one or more types of other wireless blasting-related devices, such as TTE signal communication relay / routing nodes 1500 similar, analogous, essentially identical, or identical to that described herein. For purpose of aiding understanding, certain representative non-limiting embodiments of commercial blasting systems in accordance with the present disclosure are described hereafter.

[0199] FIG. 10A is a schematic illustration showing portions of a commercial blasting system 2000a in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a plurality of wireless initiation devices lOOf that reside in a plurality or array of blastholes 50 formed (e.g., drilled) in portions of a geologic formation, and which correspond to a blast pattern. Each blasthole 50 has an opening, a terminal or toe end, and a length or depth therebetween. FIG. 10A illustrates a representative surface mining environment corresponding to portions of a mining bench having a ground surface 2002 below which the blastholes 50 are formed in a downward direction; however, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are also applicable to underground mining or civil tunneling environments in which blastholes 50 can be oriented in other directions (e.g., as upholes or longitudinal holes), as individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art will readily comprehend.

[0200] Each blasthole 50 carries or is charged with at least one explosive composition 54 therein, such as a bulk emulsion explosive composition, and at least one wireless initiation device lOOf is disposed in each blasthole 50 to explosively initiate and detonate the explosive composition(s) therein. In some embodiments, each blasthole 50 can include or be divided into a plurality of blasting decks 52, such as an upper blasting deck 52a and a lower blasting deck 52b. Each blasting deck 52 carries an explosive composition 54 and at least one wireless initiation device lOOf therein, and blasting decks 52 can be separated from one another by way of stemming material 56, in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0201] In the embodiment shown, the wireless initiation devices lOOf are configured to wirelessly communicate with or among each other by way of NSD TTE mesh networking signals (e.g., any given wireless initiation device lOOf forms a portion of a mesh network, such as an ad hoc mesh network; and particular pluralities or groups of wireless initiation devices lOOf can form portions of the same or different mesh networks). A portion or module of each wireless initiation device lOOf is also configured to wirelessly communicate with another portion or module of this same wireless initiation device lOOf by way of SD-WST, for instance, in a manner previously described.

[0202] At least some of the wireless initiation devices lOOf are configurable or configured to communicate (e.g., by way of unidirectional or bidirectional TTE signal communication) with at least one blasthole-external TTE signal transmission / reception apparatus 2500 that resides external to the boreholes 50. Wireless initiation devices lOOf that are within reliable wireless TTE signal communication range of a given blasthole-external TTE signal transmission / receptionapparatus 2500 can form portions of a mesh network (e.g., an ad hoc mesh network) associatable or associated with the TTE signal transmission / reception apparatus 2500. A given blastholeexternal TTE signal transmission / reception apparatus 2500 can be positioned or repositioned relative to a selectable or predetermined number of blastholes 50 (e.g., a sub-array including mulitple blastholes 50 within the array of blastholes 50 corresponding to the blast pattern), such that TTE signal communication can reliably occur between the wireless blasting-related devices, including wireless initiation devices 100, in the sub-array of blastholes 50. Each TTE signal transmission / reception apparatus 2500 typically includes a support structure or platform 2502 that carries a set of antennas 2520 configured for TTE signal communication. The support structure or platform 2502 itself can be movable, portable, or displaceable (e.g., by way of manual positioning, or automated or robotic positioning) relative to the blastholes 50. In at least some embodiments, one or more blasthole-external TTE signal transmission / reception apparatuses 2500 also carry or are electrically coupled to a set of TTA wireless signal communication units 2510 (e.g., TTA RF signal communication units). Each TTA wireless signal communication unit 2510 can be configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate by way of TTA signals with a remote blast control system or apparatus 3000, and / or one or more aerial or land-based blast support drones, robotic platform or vehicles (e.g., which can be remotely piloted or autonomously navigated) 3100. A given aerial or land-based blast support drone, robotic platform, or vehicle 3100 can be configured to wirelessly communicate with the remote blast control system or apparatus 3000 by way of TTA signals.

[0203] FIG. 10B is a schematic illustration showing portions of a commercial blasting system 2000b in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Like or identical element numbers appearing in both FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B indicate like or analogous elements or devices. With respect to FIG. 10B, in addition to a plurality of wireless initiation devices lOOf similar, analogous, essentially identical, or identical to those shown in FIG. 10A, this commercial blasting system 2000b includes a plurality of TTE signal relay / routing nodes 1500 disposed in at least some blastholes 50, and which are configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of wireless initiation devices lOOf by way of TTE signal communication. The TTE signal relay / routing nodes 1500 are configured to manage or handle TTE signal communication between the blasthole-external TTE signal transmission / reception apparatus(es) 2500 and at least some wireless initiation devices lOOf within the plurality of wireless initiation devices lOOf. That is, the TTE signal relay / routing nodes 1500 can be configured to serve as TTE signal communicationintermediaries or interfaces between at least some wireless initiation devices lOOf within the plurality of wireless initiation devices lOOf and the blasthole-external TTE signal transmission / reception apparatus(es) 2500. Each TTE signal communication relay / routine node 1500 can omit or exclude explosive elements, such as each of an IM 400 and an EBM 600.

[0204] As used herein, the term "set" corresponds to or is defined as a non-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibits a cardinality of at least 1 (i.e., a set as defined herein can correspond to a unit, singlet, or single element set, or a multiple element set), in accordance with known mathematical definitions (for instance, in a manner corresponding to that described in An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets, and Functions , "Chapter 11 : Properties of Finite Sets" (e.g., as indicated on p. 140), by Peter J. Eccles, Cambridge University Press (1998)). Thus, a set includes at least one element. In general, an element of a set can include or be one or more portions of a system, an apparatus, a device, a structure, an object, a process, a procedure, physical parameter, or a value depending upon the type of set under consideration.

[0205] The FIGs. included herewith show aspects of non-limiting representative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, and particular structural elements shown in the FIGs. may not be shown to scale or precisely to scale relative to each other. The depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular FIG. or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, an analogous, categorically analogous, or similar element or element number identified in another FIG. or descriptive material associated therewith. The presencein a FIG. or text herein is understood to mean "and / or", i.e., "X / Y" is to mean "X" or "Y" or "both X and Y", unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range, for instance, within + / - 20%, + / - 15%, + / - 10%, + / - 5%, + / - 2.5%, + / - 2%, + / - 1%, + / - 0-5%, or + / - 0%. The term "essentially all" or "substantially" can indicate a percentage greater than or equal to 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%, for instance, 92.5%, 95%, 97.5%, 99%, or 100%.

[0206] A wide variety of modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0207] Throughout this specification and in relation to claims based on the description herein and its corresponding set of FIGs., unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises” and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0208] The reference In this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A set of wireless buryable or buried devices, each wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more other wireless buryable or buried devices within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices and / or one or more systems, apparatuses, and / or devices remote from the set of wireless buryable or buried devices by way of through-the-earth (TTE) signals, each wireless buryable or buried device comprising: a plurality of modules structurally couplable or coupled together to form portions of the wireless buryable or buried device, wherein each module within the plurality of modules is configured to provide the wireless buryable or buried device with a distinct or distinguishable type of wireless buryable or buried device functionality relative to at least one other module of the plurality of modules of the wireless buryable or buried device, wherein the wireless buryable or buried device is configured to wirelessly communicate signals between distinct portions of itself by way of self-directed wireless signal transfer (SD-WST) involving wireless information (Wl) signal transfer and / or wireless power (WP) signal transfer between at least two modules among the plurality of modules, wherein each of the at least two modules includes a set of transducers by which the wireless buryable or buried device performs SD-WST, wherein the plurality of modules comprises:(a) a disposable command and control unit (DCCM) configurable or configured to manage or control overall functionality and / or overall operation of the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module of the wireless buryable or buried device by way of SD-WST; and at least one of:(b) a set of explosive initiation devices comprising:(i) an initiation module (IM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, wherein wireless signal transfer from the DCCM to the IM occurs by way of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and / or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT), and wireless signal transfer from the IM to the DCCM occurs byway of backscatter or reflected signal communication corresponding to or correlated with load modulation of a wireless power (WP) signal that has been communicated from the DCCM to the IM and which is backscattered or reflected from the IM to the DCCM; and(ii) an explosive booster module (EBM) structurally couplable or coupled to the IM and / or the DCCM, wherein the IM is configurable or configured to discharge energy sufficient to explosively initiate an explosive composition within the EBM in response to at least one command that has been wirelessly communicated from the DCCM to the IM;(c) a mesh networking module (MNM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output non-self-directed (NSD) mesh networking TTE (MN-TTE) signals at a MN-TTE signal center frequency to one or more other wireless buryable or buried devices forming portions of a mesh network with the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; and(d) an uplink communication module (UCM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals at a U- TTE signal center frequency to at least one system, apparatus, or device disposed remote from the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer; and optionally one or each of:(e) a power module (PM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to transfer power signals to the DCCM by way of WP signal transfer; and(f) a sensing module (SM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to detect, acquire, sense, measure, or monitor a set of environmental signals and communicate data corresponding thereto to the DCCM by way of wireless information (Wl) signal transfer.

2. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1, wherein the set of wireless buryable or buried devices comprises a plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices in which each of the plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a DCCM that is selectively structurally couplable or coupled in-field to one or more distinct other types of modules among a collection of distinct other types of modules such that overall functionality of the each of the plurality of wireless buryable or buried device is selectable or selected or customizable or customized in-field in association with in-field deployment of the plurality of wireless buryable or buried devices.

3. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1 or claim 1, wherein the set of wireless buryable or buried devices comprises a first wireless initiation device having an IM, and a second wireless buryable or buried device that lacks an IM and which is configured as a TTE signal communication relay / routing node, and wherein wireless signal communication occurs between the first wireless initiation device and the TTE signal communication relay / routing node by way of TTE signal communication.

4. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a first wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a DCCM configured to receive and processes at least downlink TTE (D-TTE) signals having a D-TTE signal center frequency.

5. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a first wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a DCCM configured to at least one of: (i) receive and / or output MN-TTE signals having a MN-TTE signal center frequency, and (ii) output U-TTE signals having a U-TTE signal center frequency.

6. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the set of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a first wireless initiation device having an IM, and wherein the DCCM of the first wireless initiation device is configured to wirelessly detect the presence of the IM of the first wireless initiation device as being part of the first wireless initiation device, and / or wirelessly detect, determine, or authenticate an identity of the IM of the first wireless initiation device.

7. The set of wireless buryable or buryable devices of claim 6, wherein at least one of the IM and / or the DCCM of the first wireless initiation device is configured to wirelessly detect or determine presence of the EBM of the first wireless initiation device as being part of the first wireless initiation device, and / or wirelessly detect, determine, or authenticate an identity of the EBM of the first wireless initiation device.

8. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the DCCM and one or more other modules of each wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices are configured to wirelessly communicate with an encoding / programming / logging / powering / charging device that is separate from and external to the set of wireless buryable or buried devices.

9. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the set of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a first wireless buryable or buried device having at least one particular module configured to transition to or normally exist in a sleep, hibernation, or inactive mode, and which is further configured to wake-up or transition to an active mode in response to a power latching WP signal received from another module of the first buryable or buried wireless device.

10. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 9, wherein the power latching WP signal has a power level that reliably turns-on a power switch of the particular module, and wherein the power latching WP signal encodes, carries, or indicates a code or identifier that categorically or uniquely corresponds to the particular module.

11. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim l or claim 2, wherein the set of wireless buryable or buried devices includes a first wireless initiation device having an IM, and wherein the DCCM of the first wireless initiation device is configured to avoid or prevent issuance of an ARM command and / or a FIRE command to the IM of the first wireless initiation device until after a minimum time interval has elapsed following successful completion of an encoding / programming / logging / powering / charging process directed to the first wireless initiation device.

12. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 11, wherein the minimum time interval is at least 1 hour, or multiple hours, or 1 or more days.

13. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of any of the above claims, wherein for a given wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices a localized spatial region in which SD-WST occurs between one module of the given wireless blasting-related device and a different module of the given wireless blasting-related device is less than 200%, 175%, 150%, 125%, 100%, 75%, or 50%, or 25% of the overall spatial volume occupied by the given wireless blasting-related device.

14. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of any of the above claims, wherein TTE signal communication to, from, and / or between at least some wireless buryable or burled devices within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices occurs at one or more center frequencies between 0.1 Hz -4 kHz, and wherein SD-WST between modules of each wireless buryable or buried device within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices occurs at one or more center frequencies between 10 kHz and 10 GHz.

15. The set of wireless buryable or buried devices of claim 14, wherein SD-WST between modules of at least particular wireless buryable or buried devices within the set of wireless buryable or buried devices occurs at one or more center frequencies between 20 kHz -50 kHz.

16. A set of wireless initiation devices, each wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more other wireless initiation devices within the set of initiation devices and / or one or more systems, apparatuses, and / or devices remote from the set of wireless initiation devices by way of through-the-earth (TTE) signals, each wireless initiation device comprising: a plurality of modules structurally couplable or coupled together to form portions of the wireless initiation device, wherein the plurality of modules includes at least two modules configured to wirelessly communicate signals between each other by way of self-directed wireless signal transfer (SD-WST), wherein each of the at least two modules includes a set of transducers by which SD-WST between the at least two modules occurs, wherein the at least two modules comprise:(a) a disposable command and control unit (DCCM) configurable or configured to manage or control overall functionality and / or overall operation of the wireless initiation device, and which is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module of the wireless initiation device by way of SD-WST; and(b) a set of explosive initiation devices comprising:(i) an initiation module (IM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, wherein wireless signal transfer from the DCCM to the IM occurs by way of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and / or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT), and wireless signal transfer from the IM to the DCCM occurs byway of backscatter or reflected signal communication corresponding to or correlated with loadmodulation of a wireless power (WP) signal that has been communicated from the DCCM to the IM and which is backscattered or reflected from the IM to the DCCM; and(ii) an explosive booster module (EBM) structurally couplable or coupled to the IM and / or the DCCM, wherein the IM is configurable or configured to discharge energy sufficient to explosively initiate an explosive composition within the EBM in response to at least one command that has been wirelessly communicated from the DCCM to the IM.

17. The set of wireless buryable or buryable devices of claim 16, wherein for each wireless initiation device at least one of the IM and / or the DCCM is configured to wirelessly detect or determine presence of the EBM as being part of the first wireless initiation device, and / or wirelessly detect, determine, or authenticate an identity of the EBM.

18. The set of wireless initiation devices of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein at least a first wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices includes a DCCM configured to receive and processes at least downlink TTE (D-TTE) signals having a D-TTE signal center frequency.

19. The set of wireless initiation devices of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein at least a first wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices includes a DCCM configured to at least one of: (i) receive and / or output non-self-directed (NSD) mesh networking TTE (MN-TTE) signals having a MN-TTE signal center frequency, and (ii) output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals having a U-TTE signal center frequency.

20. The set of wireless initiation devices of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein at least a first wireless initiation device within the set of wireless initiation devices includes at least one of:(c) a mesh networking module (MNM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output non-self-directed (NSD) mesh networking TTE (MN-TTE) signals at a MN-TTE signal center frequency to one or more other wireless initiation devices forming portions of a mesh network with the first wireless initiation device, and which is also configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer;(d) an uplink communication module (UCM) structurally couplable of coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals at a U-TTE signal frequency to at least one system, apparatus, or device disposed remote from the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable of configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer;(e) a power module (PM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to transfer power signals to the DCCM by way of WP signal transfer; and(f) a sensing module (SM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to detect, acquire, sense, measure, or monitor a set of environmental signals and communicate data corresponding thereto to the DCCM by way of wireless information (Wl) signal transfer.

21. A commercial blasting system comprising a plurality of wireless blasting-related devices disposed in an array of blastholes corresponding to a blast pattern, wherein each blasthole contains an explosive composition, and wherein the plurality of wireless blasting-related devices comprises: a plurality of wireless initiation devices, wherein each wireless initiation device is configured to (i) receive and process downlink through-the-earth (D-TTE) signals, and / or (ii) receive, process, and output non-self-directed (NSD) mesh networking through-the-earth (MN-TTE) signals, wherein each wireless initiation device comprises a plurality of modules structurally couplable or coupled together to form portions of the wireless initiation device, wherein for each wireless initiation device each module within the plurality of modules thereof is configured to provide the wireless initiation device with a distinct or distinguishable type of wireless initiation device functionality relative to at least one other module of the plurality of modules of the wireless initiation device, wherein each wireless initiation device is configured to wirelessly communicate signals between distinct portions of itself by way of self-directed wireless signal transfer (SD-WST) involving wireless information (Wl) signal transfer and / or wireless power (WP) signal transfer between at least two modules among the plurality of modules of the wireless initiation device, wherein each of the at least two modules includes a set of transducers by which the wireless initiation device performs SD-WST, and wherein the plurality of modules of each wireless initiation device comprises:(a) a disposable command and control unit (DCCM) configurable or configured to manage or control overall functionality and / or overall operation of the wireless initiationdevice, and which is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module of the wireless initiation by way of SD-WST; and(b) a set of explosive initiation devices comprising:(i) an initiation module (IM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, wherein wireless signal transfer from the DCCM to the IM occurs by way of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and / or tandem wireless information and power transfer (TWIPT), and wireless signal transfer from the IM to the DCCM occurs by way of backscatter or reflected signal communication corresponding to or correlated with load modulation of a wireless power (WP) signal that has been communicated from the DCCM to the IM and which is backscattered or reflected from the IM to the DCCM; and(ii) an explosive booster module (EBM) structurally couplable or coupled to the IM and / or the DCCM, wherein the IM is configurable or configured to discharge energy sufficient to explosively initiate an explosive composition within the EBM in response to at least one command that has been wirelessly communicated from the DCCM to the IM.

22. The commercial blasting system of claim 21, wherein the DCCM of each wireless initiation device is configured to receive and process at least D-TTE signals.

23. The commercial blasting system of claim 21, wherein:(i) the DCCM of each wireless initiation device is configured to receive and process MN-TTE signals; or(ii) each wireless initiation device includes a mesh networking module (MNM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM of the wireless initiation device, wherein the MNM of the wireless initiation device is configurable or configured to receive MN-TTE signals from one or more other wireless initiation devices forming portions of a mesh network, process received MN-TTE signals, and output MN-TTE signals to the one or more other wireless initiation devices forming portions of the mesh network, and wherein the MNM of each wireless initiation device is configurable or configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM of the wireless initiation device by way of SD-WST.

24. The commercial blasting system of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein one or more wireless initiation devices further comprises one or more of:(c) an uplink communication module (UCM) structurally couplable of coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to output NSD uplink TTE (U-TTE) signals at a U-TTE signal frequency to at least one system, apparatus, or device disposed remote from the wireless buryable or buried device, and which is also configurable of configured to wirelessly communicate with the DCCM by way of Wl signal transfer;(d) a power module (PM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to transfer power signals to the DCCM by way of WP signal transfer; and(e) a sensing module (SM) structurally couplable or coupled to the DCCM, and which is configurable or configured to detect, acquire, sense, measure, or monitor a set of environmental signals and communicate data corresponding thereto to the DCCM by way of wireless information (Wl) signal transfer.

25. The commercial blasting system of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the plurality of wireless blasting-related devices further comprises at least one TTE signal communication relay / routing node, wherein each TTE signal communication relay / routine node omits or excludes each of an IM and an EBM.

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