Wireless Seismic Unit Auto-Assignment via GNSS
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual assignment of wireless seismic acquisition units to topographic positions is time-consuming, costly, and exposes operators to field hazards, with a high risk of errors due to the need for human intervention and external devices in the existing three-step process.
Innovation Solution
The method utilizes embedded satellite navigation systems in wireless seismic acquisition units to automatically assign them to topographic positions, eliminating the need for human intervention and external devices by using GNSS receivers to determine and process positions, and implementing association rules to ensure accurate unit placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual assignment of wireless seismic acquisition units to topographic positions is performed using external devices and human intervention, then the assignment can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and exposes operators to field hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless seismic acquisition units automatically determine their own topographic positions using embedded GNSS receivers, eliminating the need for external devices and human operators to perform assignment. The units self-assign to topographic positions based on their determined locations, making the system self-sufficient and removing hazardous manual intervention while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of operators using external devices to assign units is replaced by an automated electronic system using GNSS satellite navigation. The electronic automatic assignment system substitutes the mechanical human-operated process, reducing deployment time while maintaining or improving assignment reliability through precise satellite-based positioning
2Reliability
If manual assignment process is used with external devices, then assignment can be performed, but costs increase due to need for multiple operators and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Each wireless seismic acquisition unit independently determines its own position and assigns itself to the appropriate topographic position using its embedded GNSS receiver. This eliminates the need for multiple operators and external assignment devices, reducing the quantity of personnel and equipment required while maintaining assignment accuracy through automated electronic positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded GNSS receiver in each wireless seismic acquisition unit serves multiple functions: it provides positioning data for automatic assignment, enables time synchronization with other units, and supports operational coordination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate external devices while maintaining reliable assignment
3Productivity
If automated assignment using embedded GNSS receivers is implemented, then deployment time is reduced and costs are saved, but the system requires embedded satellite navigation in each unit
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic assignment process uses the embedded GNSS receiver already present in each wireless seismic acquisition unit for its primary positioning function. By utilizing this existing component for automatic topographic position assignment, the system achieves rapid deployment without adding separate dedicated assignment hardware, thus improving productivity while limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded GNSS receiver is designed to perform multiple functions including automatic topographic position assignment, time synchronization, and operational coordination. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve automated rapid deployment without requiring additional dedicated components, thereby improving productivity while controlling device complexity through component consolidation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces deployment time, eliminates errors, and avoids field hazards by automating the assignment process, saving costs and enhancing efficiency through automated association and validation of unit placements.
Implementation Method 1
Each wireless seismic acquisition unit comprises an embedded satellite navigation system receiver, mainly used for time synchronization but which also gives either directly measured positions (GNSS positions) of the deployed wireless seismic acquisition units
Data Source
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AI summary
It is proposed a method for automatically assigning wireless seismic acquisition units to topographic positions, each wireless seismic acquisition unit comprising a satellite navigation system receiver. The method comprises the following steps, carried out by an assigning device: obtaining (41) topographic locations at which the wireless seismic acquisition units are expected to be laid; obtaining (42) measured positions of the wireless seismic acquisition units, corresponding to or derived from position information provided by the satellite navigation system receivers when the wireless seismic acquisition units are installed on the ground, each near one of the topographic locations; and computing (43) associations, each between one of the wireless seismic acquisition units and one of the topographic positions, as a function of a comparison between the measured positions and the topographic locations.