Autonomous Seismic Recorder Synchronization Using Field Timers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic survey systems require expensive and energy-intensive equipment for precise time synchronization of multiple independent recorders and sources, which is inconvenient and prone to failures, especially when systems are dispersed over large areas or when sources or receivers are inaccessible.
Innovation Solution
The use of inexpensive field timers coordinated with standard timers to achieve millisecond accuracy, combined with satellite timing systems like GPS, allows for autonomous synchronization of seismic sources and recorders, reducing equipment size and energy consumption while maintaining high accuracy for seismic data recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive and energy-intensive equipment (radio-pulse transponders, high-precision microsecond time recorders, powered receivers) is used for time synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex synchronization equipment with inexpensive field timers that have sufficient accuracy for the application. The field timers are simple, low-cost devices that can be deployed without requiring powered receivers or complex radio communication infrastructure, directly addressing the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex electronic synchronization systems (radio-pulse transponders, high-precision time recorders) with a simpler timing approach using field timers coordinated with standard timers. This replacement reduces device complexity while maintaining the required millisecond accuracy for seismic data recording.
2Measurement precision
If expensive and energy-intensive equipment is used for time synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces powered receivers and high-precision time recorders that consume significant energy with inexpensive field timers that have much lower power requirements. This substitution directly reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient timing accuracy for the seismic survey application.
3Measurement precision
If radio-pulse synchronization is used, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to communication requirements and equipment failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the complex radio-communication-based system and implements it using independent field timers that do not require continuous communication. This removes the reliability issues associated with radio communication failures and equipment malfunctions while maintaining timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The field timers operate independently without requiring external synchronization signals or communication infrastructure. Each timer autonomously maintains timing functionality, making the system more reliable in dispersed areas where communication may be unavailable or equipment may fail.
4Measurement precision
If multiple independent recorders and sources are synchronized using complex systems, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex synchronization equipment with simple field timers that are easy to deploy and operate. The timers can be independently configured and do not require complex setup procedures, directly improving ease of operation while maintaining the required timing accuracy through coordination with standard timers.
Data Source
AI summary
Seismic systems and methods are provided to synchronize both source and receiver data using inexpensive timers and/or low energy timers to obtain high resolution seismic data.