Marine Streamer Sensor Layout for Noise and Aliasing Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic data acquisition systems using towed marine streamers face challenges with high noise levels and aliasing due to uniform sensor distribution, which limits signal-to-noise ratio and requires excessive sensor density, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implement a non-uniform sensor density along the streamer, with higher sensor density around output points and non-uniform spacing between sensors and output points, utilizing compressed sensing algorithms to reconstruct signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform sensor distribution is used along the streamer, then signal sampling requirements are met, but noise levels increase and signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying sensor density along different sections of the streamer. Higher sensor density is deployed in regions where noise attenuation is most beneficial, while lower density is used where it provides minimal advantage. This non-uniform distribution optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio by placing sensors strategically rather than uniformly throughout the entire streamer length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor density from a constant uniform value to a variable non-uniform distribution. By adjusting sensor density as a function of position along the streamer, the system achieves better noise reduction performance while reducing the total number of sensors required, thereby improving the overall signal-to-noise ratio.
2Reliability
If high sensor density is maintained along the entire streamer, then noise sampling and attenuation requirements are met, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining high sensor density uniformly along the entire streamer, the patent applies local quality by concentrating higher sensor density only in specific sections where noise attenuation provides the most benefit. This reduces the total number of sensors required, thereby lowering system complexity and cost while maintaining adequate noise attenuation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing high sensor density only in certain critical sections of the streamer rather than throughout the entire length. This partial deployment of high-density sensing achieves sufficient noise attenuation for the most critical measurement zones while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform sensor spacing is used, then manufacturing and deployment are simplified, but aliasing occurs at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensor spacing parameter from a constant uniform value to a variable non-uniform distribution. By adjusting spacing between sensors at different positions along the streamer, the system avoids aliasing at higher frequencies in critical sections while maintaining simpler spacing in other regions, thus balancing information quality with manufacturing considerations.
4Ease of operation
If output points are evenly distributed along the streamer, then data processing is simplified, but signal reconstruction quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing output points non-uniformly along the streamer, with higher concentration of output points in sections where signal reconstruction quality is most critical. This allows improved measurement precision in key areas while maintaining reasonable data processing complexity through the structured non-uniform distribution pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
An invention that relates to streamers is described. These streamers contain one or more streamer sections. These sections can have sensors, channels, and/or analogue arrays of sensors are disposed along its length. At least one of these streamer sections has a variable density of sensors, channels, and/or analogue arrays along the length.