Seismic Sensor Response Correction Using Sensor-Specific Inverse Filters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seismic sensors used in land surveys are expensive due to stringent design and testing requirements, leading to high costs for seismic data acquisition, while less expensive alternatives may have less accurate and consistent performance.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for correcting seismic sensor responses using an inverse filter tailored to each sensor's unique transfer function, derived through testing with a predetermined wave shape, allowing for less expensive sensors to be used and compensating for performance variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If expensive seismic sensors with stringent design and testing requirements are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor accuracyVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the frequency response characteristics of sensors through digital filtering. Instead of requiring expensive sensors with inherently perfect frequency responses, the system measures each sensor's actual frequency response and applies corrective filters to adjust the parameters of the sensor output, transforming low-cost sensors with variable responses into sensors that meet accuracy specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital model (copy) of each sensor's frequency response characteristics through measurement and characterization. This digital twin is then used to generate corrective filters that replicate the behavior of expensive reference sensors, allowing inexpensive sensors to be corrected to match the performance of premium sensors without physically modifying the sensors themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If less expensive seismic sensors are used, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision and performance consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidsensor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by measuring each inexpensive sensor's actual frequency response and using that information to generate customized corrective filters. The system continuously monitors sensor performance characteristics and adjusts the digital filtering parameters accordingly, providing closed-loop correction that compensates for manufacturing variations and ensures consistent accuracy across all sensors regardless of their initial quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary characterization of each sensor's frequency response before deployment, measuring and storing the transfer function in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-compute corrective filters that will be applied during data processing, eliminating the need for expensive sensors while ensuring accuracy is achieved through pre-planned correction rather than inherent sensor quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If individual sensor correction is applied, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having each sensor characterize its own performance characteristics through self-measurement during a calibration process. Each sensor generates its own transfer function data and receives its own customized correction filter, eliminating the need for complex manual calibration procedures or centralized adjustment mechanisms. The system automatically processes each sensor's unique characteristics and applies appropriate corrections without requiring complex intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces the overall cost of seismic data acquisition by enabling the use of less expensive sensors while maintaining data quality by individually correcting sensor-specific variations, thus reducing the overall cost and improving data consistency.

Implementation Method 1

test signal generators that produce an electrical signal and apply the signal to a seismic sensor, which causes an electromechanical response in the seismic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromechanical response:

Data Source

PatentEP3485297B1System and method for seismic sensor response correction
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BP EXPLORATION OPERATING CO LTD
  • EP3485297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3485297B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3485297B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system and method for acquiring and processing seismic data. A method for processing seismic data, includes receiving, by a seismic data processing system, signals representing seismic data recorded at a remote location; receiving, by the seismic data processing system, in conjunction with the signals, identification of a sensor via which the signals were acquired; retrieving, by the seismic data processing system, a sensor transfer function that corresponds to the sensor and relates the motion of the sensor to the signals; generating, by the seismic data processing system, based on the sensor transfer function and a reference transfer function, an inverse filter that when applied to the signals changes parameters of the signals to correspond to the reference transfer function; and applying, by the seismic data processing system, the inverse filter to the signals to conform the parameters of the signals to the reference transfer function.