Wireless Node Duty Cycle Management for Energy-Efficient Wellbore Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate and reliable communication between surface and downhole components in well operations is challenging due to invasive wired systems and noise attenuation in wireless acoustic communication systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an energy-efficient protocol for wireless communication nodes that transition between active and reduced power modes, using a duty cycle acquisition mode with a standby and detection state to conserve energy and respond to triggering events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless communication nodes operate continuously in active mode to detect triggering events, then event detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication node operates in periodic duty cycle acquisition mode, alternating between standby state and detection state. During the detection state, the node actively monitors for triggering events, while during the standby state, it conserves power with minimal operation. This periodic switching enables the node to detect events when needed while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous active operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wireless communication nodes reduce power consumption by staying in standby mode, then energy efficiency is improved, but response time to triggering events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The node dynamically adjusts its operational state based on duty cycle parameters. By configuring appropriate duty cycle ratios and time periods, the system optimizes the balance between power consumption and response time. The node can transition from standby to detection state within a controlled time frame, ensuring that response time remains acceptable while maintaining energy efficiency during extended idle periods.
3Reliability
If wired communication systems are used for accurate communication, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical communication systems with wireless acoustic communication. Instead of using physical cables that require complex connections and invasive installation, the system uses acoustic waves to transmit communication signals through the wellbore environment. This substitution maintains communication reliability while eliminating the complexity and invasiveness associated with wired systems.
4Ease of operation
If acoustic communication is used for wireless communication, then ease of operation is improved, but noise attenuation reduces communication reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor communication quality and adapt to noise conditions. By detecting acoustic environment characteristics and communication reliability, the system can adjust transmission parameters, select appropriate communication windows, and optimize signal transmission to overcome noise attenuation, thereby maintaining reliable communication while preserving the ease of operation of acoustic systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy efficient protocol for a communication network made up of a network of wireless communication nodes is disclosed. To reduce the amount of energy consumed by the nodes, the nodes operate in a reduced power duty cycle acquisition mode of operation in which the nodes cycle between a low power standby state and a higher power detection state. The nodes are forced to transition out of the duty cycle acquisition mode in response to detection of a triggering event when in the detection state. The operating parameters of the reduced power duty cycle acquisition mode can be modified based on current operating conditions on the network.