Unmanned Airborne Vehicle for Seismic Node Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic surveys face challenges in accessing and communicating with distributed seismic sensor nodes, particularly in large areas, and troubleshooting issues due to difficulties in reaching remote locations with land-based or marine-based systems.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV) with a seismic acquisition system for wireless communication with sensor nodes, data harvesting, and troubleshooting, using Wi-Fi and GNSS navigation to autonomously fly and position itself for communication and data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If land-based or marine-based systems are used to access seismic sensor nodes, then the system can collect seismic data, but it becomes difficult to reach remote locations and troubleshoot issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from land-based or marine-based access to airborne access by deploying an unmanned aircraft. This dimensional change enables the system to reach remote seismic nodes that are inaccessible to traditional ground or water-based systems, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the complexity of reaching difficult locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned aircraft serves as an intermediary between the operator and the remote seismic nodes. It carries communication equipment and can interact with sensor nodes wirelessly, facilitating data collection and troubleshooting without requiring direct physical access to remote locations.
2Area of stationary object
If distributed seismic sensor nodes are deployed over large areas, then seismic survey coverage is improved, but communication and troubleshooting become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned aircraft is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a communication relay to distribute data from seismic nodes and as a troubleshooting platform. It can carry various communication equipment and interact with multiple sensor nodes, thereby maintaining effective communication across large survey areas without information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes feedback loops where the unmanned aircraft can receive data from distributed seismic nodes and transmit control signals back to them. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous communication and enables real-time troubleshooting across the entire survey area, preventing information loss despite the distributed nature of the nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a seismic acquisition system that includes a plurality of nodes and further includes an unmanned airborne vehicle. The unmanned airborne vehicle is to be used with the seismic acquisition system to conduct a seismic survey.