Tilt-Corrected Seismic Data From Multi-Axis Sensor Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
In land-based seismic data acquisition, tilted seismic sensors introduce noise due to leakage of horizontal seismic signals into vertical signals, making it difficult to correct for noise incoherently across sensors, as the tilt orientations are unknown and can vary randomly.
Innovation Solution
A seismic sensor module with multiple axes of sensing elements and a processor that determines the inclination of these elements to combine data and derive tilt-corrected seismic signals along a specific orientation, effectively rotating and filtering out noise to align data with a vertical or target orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seismic sensors are implanted into the earth for land-based seismic data acquisition, then seismic signals can be detected, but the sensors cannot be implanted in a perfectly vertical orientation, causing tilt-induced noise
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into multiple sensing elements arranged in three orthogonal axes (x, y, z), allowing the vertical component to be isolated from horizontal components. This segmentation enables selective processing of vertical seismic signals while rejecting horizontal noise, resolving the contradiction between ease of implantation and signal accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-axis sensor to a three-dimensional multi-axis sensor array. By adding spatial dimensions (x, y, z axes), the system can mathematically separate vertical P-waves from horizontal S-waves through vector decomposition, thereby maintaining measurement precision while allowing flexible implantation orientations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seismic sensors are tilted from vertical orientation, then installation flexibility is improved, but horizontal seismic signals leak into vertical signals, introducing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful horizontal signal components are extracted and separated from the vertical signal using multi-axis sensing and mathematical processing. By isolating the horizontal components (S-waves) from the vertical component (P-waves), the system removes the noise source while preserving the useful vertical seismic data, even when sensors are tilted during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilted orientation, which initially causes noise, is converted into a benefit by using the multi-axis sensor data to calculate the actual tilt angle and orientation. This information is then used to rotate and correct the seismic data into the correct vertical reference frame, transforming the installation flexibility advantage into accurate seismic measurements.
3Reliability
If tilt correction is attempted through filtering, then noise reduction is possible, but the incoherent nature of noise from randomly tilted sensors makes filtering difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the tilt angle and orientation using the multi-axis sensing elements before processing the seismic data. By determining the sensor orientation in advance, the system can pre-rotate the data into the correct reference frame, making subsequent noise correction straightforward and effective rather than attempting complex filtering of incoherent noise.
Data Source
AI summary
A seismic sensor module includes sensing elements arranged in a plurality of axes to detect seismic signals in a plurality of respective directions, and a processor to receive data from the sensing elements and to determine inclinations of the axes with respect to a particular orientation. The determined inclinations are used to combine the data received from the sensing elements to derive tilt-corrected seismic data for the particular orientation.