EM Receiver Tracking and Calibration via Frequency Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic (EM) surveying systems face challenges in accurately tracking the position and orientation of EM receivers, leading to noise in measurement data due to receiver movement, which current compensation methods fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An airborne EM system is developed with a tracking transmitter generating signals within a distinct frequency range, allowing the receiver to measure both survey and tracking signals, enabling accurate compensation for receiver movement and simplifying the extraction of receiver coordinates from EM response data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tracking transmitter generating signals within a distinct frequency range is added to the airborne EM system, then the measurement precision of receiver position and orientation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electromagnetic signal spectrum into distinct frequency ranges: one for surveying signals and another for tracking signals. This segmentation allows the receiver to process position/orientation tracking separately from subsurface imaging, improving measurement precision without requiring a completely new integrated system. The frequency-based separation enables independent optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously captures surveying EM signals for subsurface imaging and tracking EM signals for position/orientation determination. By making the receiver multi-functional through software or signal processing rather than adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, the patent improves tracking accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
2Reliability
If the receiver measures both survey EM signals and tracking EM signals, then the reliability of receiver movement compensation is improved, but the loss of information in EM response data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking transmitter operates periodically at distinct frequencies, sending tracking signals at specific intervals. This periodic action allows the receiver to sample position and orientation data at regular intervals, improving the reliability of movement compensation. The time-domain separation of periodic tracking signals from continuous surveying signals prevents information loss in the EM response data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the EM signals to differentiate between surveying and tracking functions. By assigning tracking signals to a distinct frequency range, the system can reliably separate and process both signal types without mutual interference. This parameter-based differentiation maintains the integrity of surveying data while enabling accurate tracking.
3Ease of operation
If frequency separation is used to distinguish tracking signals from survey signals, then the ease of operation for extracting receiver coordinates is improved, but the manufacturing precision of signal processing requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or geometric tracking systems with electromagnetic field-based tracking. By using EM signals and frequency-domain separation, the system achieves ease of operation in extracting coordinates through software-based signal processing rather than complex hardware alignment. The frequency separation enables automated coordinate extraction while the precision requirements are met through digital signal processing techniques.
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
The system improves reception sensitivity and reduces operational noise, providing synchronized measurements for accurate compensation of receiver movement, thus enhancing the accuracy of EM data interpretation without impacting the signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
a tracking EM transmitter for generating tracking EM signals within a second frequency range
Implementation Method 2
a receiver that measures both the survey EM signals and the tracking EM signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic (EM) receiver system for measuring EM signals. The EM receiver system includes a survey EM transmitter for generating survey EM signals within a first frequency range; a calibration EM transmitter for generating a calibration signal; a receiver section, including a receiver housing and a receiver, that measures both the survey EM signals and the calibration signal; and a calibration device connected to the calibration EM transmitter and to the receiver, the calibration device configured to control a frequency and waveform of the calibration signal. The calibration device is further configured to calculate a response function of the receiver, based on the calibration signal.