Autonomous Seismic Acquisition Modules for Cable Cut Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Seismic data acquisition systems are vulnerable to cable cuts, leading to loss of connection, power supply disruption, and data loss, which complicates data collection and increases costs due to the need for extensive cabling and complex radio communication solutions, especially in challenging terrains.

Innovation Solution

A seismic data acquisition system with a cabled network where each electronic unit is associated with two intermediate modules, each equipped with autonomous synchronization, bidirectional power supply, and bidirectional storage, allowing the system to remain operational and store data locally in case of a cable cut, with secondary communication means for status updates and data retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cabled network is used to connect electronic units to the central processing unit, then data transmission is reliable, but the system becomes vulnerable to cable cuts causing data loss and connection failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable cut vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into autonomous segments where each electronic unit can independently store and process data. When a cable cut occurs, the segmentation isolates the failure to a specific segment while other segments continue operating, preventing total system failure and data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electronic units are equipped with local storage capabilities that allow them to temporarily store seismic data before transmission. This preliminary action ensures that even if a cable cut prevents data transmission, the data remains safely stored locally and can be transmitted later when connectivity is restored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If intermediate modules are used for power supply and synchronization, then system operation is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Intermediate modules are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power supply, synchronization, and data storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliable system operation during cable cuts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Each electronic unit and intermediate module is designed to be autonomous, with local storage and processing capabilities. They can independently maintain operation and store data without continuous reliance on the central processing unit, enabling self-service operation even when disconnected from the main network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If autonomous modules with bidirectional power supply and storage are deployed, then system resilience to cable cuts improves, but installation and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable cut resilienceVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular electronic units that can be independently installed and configured. Each unit contains integrated storage and processing capabilities, allowing for simplified field deployment where units can be set up independently without requiring complex pre-integration of all system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10247839B2Seismic data acquisition system comprising modules associated with units connected to sensors, the modules being autonomous with respect to power supply, synchronisation and storage

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 SERCEL SAS

AI summary

Described herein is a land seismic data acquisition system comprising a central processing unit; a cabled network connected to the central processing unit comprising a plurality of acquisition lines each comprising: electronic units assembled in series along a telemetry cable and each associated with at least one seismic sensor, the units processing signals transmitted by the sensor(s); intermediate modules assembled in series along the telemetry cable and each associated with at least one of the electronic units, each intermediate module providing power supply and synchronization of the electronic unit(s) wherewith it is associated; wherein each electronic unit is associated with at least two intermediate modules including at least one upstream and at least one downstream from the electronic unit along the telemetry cable, and comprises synchronization means independent from the cabled network, bidirectional and autonomous power supply means, bidirectional storage means of the signals processed by the electronic units.