Satellite-Enabled Seismic Node for Near-Real-Time Noise Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data acquisition for ambient noise tomography is time-consuming and requires continuous sampling, often taking weeks to months, and is challenging in remote and harsh environments due to power and data storage constraints.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition unit with a ground movement data acquisition mechanism, processing unit, and satellite communication capabilities that preprocesses data on-site and transmits it via low earth orbit satellites for near-real-time ambient noise tomography processing, using techniques like one-bit normalization, low-pass filtering, and spectral whitening to reduce data size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data acquisition sensors are deployed in remote and harsh environments, then data collection for ambient noise tomography can be achieved, but power supply and data storage constraints arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing seismic data at the edge device (data acquisition unit) before transmission. The processing unit performs operations such as calculating seismic amplitudes, applying spectral whitening, and other preprocessing steps locally, so that only essential processed data needs to be transmitted and stored, reducing power consumption for data handling and storage in remote environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the data processing function from the central server, placing it at the edge data acquisition unit. This extraction allows the system to perform necessary preprocessing locally, reducing the burden of data storage and transmission power consumption while maintaining adaptability in remote deployments
2Measurement precision
If continuous sampling is performed for ambient noise tomography, then high-quality tomography images can be produced, but data acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of seismic data continuously at the edge device during the sampling period. By pre-calculating seismic amplitudes and applying processing techniques like spectral whitening in real-time or near-real-time, the system maintains measurement precision for high-quality tomography images while reducing the overall acquisition and processing time from weeks to days
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous useful action by performing data preprocessing continuously at the edge device throughout the sampling period. The processing unit continuously processes incoming seismic data, maintaining both image quality and reducing time loss by eliminating idle periods between data collection and processing
3Loss of information
If all raw ground movement data is transmitted to remote server, then complete data is available for processing, but transmission time and data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential processed data (seismic amplitudes and processed waveforms) from the raw ground movement data at the edge device. By separating necessary information from redundant data, the system transmits minimal processed data to the remote server, maintaining data completeness for tomography processing while significantly reducing transmission time and storage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data processing and compression at the edge device before transmission. By pre-calculating seismic amplitudes and applying processing techniques locally, the system ensures that complete and accurate tomography data is available for transmission while minimizing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, thus reducing transmission time
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
Enables near-real-time data reception and rapid image formation of sub-surface tomography, allowing high-resolution images within days, and continuous operation for up to 10 days without external power, overcoming latency and environmental challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration transducer in the housing and configured to receive vibrations via the vibration sensing portion and generate an electrical output signal based on the received vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to data acquisition units or nodes and more specifically to seismic data acquisition units or nodes for use in data gathering for ambient noise tomography (ANT). Some embodiments relate to a method for data acquisition, and systems employing one or more data acquisition units. Some embodiments relate to systems comprising one or more satellites in communication with one or more data acquisition units for communication to a remote server, for remote storage, and processing for creating sub-surface tomography images accessible to client devices.