DAS Interrogator Launch System Architecture for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) interrogators are costly due to their design architecture, which is not well-suited for scale-up cost reductions, making them unaffordable for many market applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a single enhanced launch system to feed a large plurality of receive systems, optimizing component sharing by placing as many components as possible in the launch system and increasing the output optical launch power to reduce costs per sensor channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current DAS interrogator design architecture is used, then measurement precision and sensing capability are maintained, but device complexity and cost per sensor channel remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receive systems into a single integrated receive unit that serves multiple sensor channels. The receive unit processes optical signals from multiple fibers using shared photodetectors and signal processing circuitry, reducing the number of independent receive systems needed. This merging approach maintains measurement precision across all channels while significantly reducing device complexity and cost per sensor channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The receive unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple sensor channels simultaneously. A single receive unit can process optical signals from multiple fibers, perform demodulation, and generate measurement data for various sensing parameters across different channels. This universal design eliminates the need for dedicated receive systems for each channel, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full sensing capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If component sharing is increased in the launch system, then ease of manufacture and scalability improve, but reliability may be affected by increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The DAS interrogator is segmented into distinct functional modules: a launch system that generates and transmits optical signals, and separate receive units that detect and process backscattered signals. This segmentation allows the launch system to be designed for high reliability with redundant components, while receive units can be optimized for cost-effective manufacturing. The modular architecture enables independent optimization of each segment for its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical fiber connection between the launch system and the distributed sensor network. This optical fiber acts as a mediator that transmits signals with high fidelity over long distances without requiring complex intermediate processing. The simplicity of optical transmission maintains reliability while enabling scalable deployment across multiple sensor channels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the components used and the cost per sensor channel, making DAS technology more affordable and scalable for downhole operations.
Implementation Method 1
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) along with a fiber optic system may be utilized together to determine borehole and/or formation properties
Implementation Method 2
Optical fibers may be permanently deployed in a wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed acoustic system (DAS) may include at least one laser that that transmits at least one continuous wave (CW) light, a pulser disposed after and optically connected to the at least one laser to form a light pulse, and a splitter optically connected to the pulser to optically split the light pulse into a plurality of light pulses. The DAS may further include a proximal circulator optically connected to a first output of the splitter, a distal circulator optically connected to the proximal circulator, and a sensor fiber attached to the distal circulator. A method for using the DAS may include setting a pulse power for a laser, transmitting one or more light pulses from the laser into a distributed acoustic system (DAS), and measuring a signal to noise ratio (SNR) from a backscatter light created within the fiber optical cable and the sensor fiber.