Seismic Sensor Orientation via Wave Property Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the orientation of multicomponent seismic sensors, especially in seabed or borehole environments, face challenges in accurately calculating sensor orientation due to uncertainties in medium properties and noise interference, which affects the quality and reliability of seismic data.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates elastic properties and horizontal slowness of seabed and water-column media using sensor data, calculates the angle of incidence, and imposes boundary conditions at the fluid-solid interface to determine the sensor orientation, allowing for accurate orientation calculation without assuming the sensor is vertically aligned and utilizing a wide bandwidth of seismic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to determine sensor orientation, then the process is simpler, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncertainties in medium properties and noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary estimation of elastic properties and horizontal slowness using sensor data before calculating the angle of incidence and imposing boundary conditions. This preliminary action prepares the necessary parameters in advance, enabling more accurate orientation determination while organizing the complexity into manageable sequential steps
Solution Approach 2:
The method uses sensor data to estimate medium properties and slowness, then applies boundary conditions at the fluid-solid interface to calculate orientation. This creates a feedback loop where the estimated properties are refined through the boundary condition application, improving measurement precision through iterative refinement
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used, then the calculation process is faster, but reliability deteriorates due to noise interference and medium property uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
The method estimates elastic properties and horizontal slowness as preliminary parameters before the main orientation calculation. By preparing these parameters in advance using sensor data, the method reduces the impact of noise during the critical orientation determination step, improving reliability while managing calculation time through efficient preprocessing
Solution Approach 2:
The method introduces intermediate parameters (elastic properties, horizontal slowness, angle of incidence) that act as mediators between the raw sensor data and the final orientation result. These intermediaries help filter out noise and account for medium property uncertainties, improving reliability of the final measurement
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is assumed to be vertically aligned, then the calculation is simpler, but measurement precision deteriorates when the assumption is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of assuming vertical alignment, the method performs preliminary estimation of the angle of incidence using sensor data and medium properties. This preliminary calculation of the actual angle replaces the simplifying assumption, enabling accurate orientation determination for sensors at any orientation while organizing the complexity into systematic preliminary steps
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the parameter from an assumed vertical alignment (fixed orientation) to a calculated angle of incidence (variable orientation). By estimating the actual angle of incidence from sensor data and medium properties, the method adapts to the true sensor orientation, improving measurement precision without requiring complex additional hardware
Data Source
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AI summary
A method can include receiving information associated with an interface between a first medium and a second medium where the information includes sensor data; based on at least a portion of the information, estimating wave properties that include elastic properties, depth-dependent properties and horizontal slowness; and, based on the estimated wave properties, calculating an orientation of a sensor utilized to acquire at least a portion of the sensor data.