Wireless exploration seismic system
Systems and methods are provided for acquiring seismic data using a wireless network and a number of individual data acquisition modules that are configured to collect seismic data and forward data to a central recording and control system. In one implementation, a number of remote modules ( 301 ) are arranged in lines. Base station modules ( 302 ) receive information from the lines and relay the information to a central control and recording system ( 303 ). Radio links operating on multiple frequencies (F 1 -F 12 ) are used by the modules ( 301 ). For improved data transfer rate, radio links from a remote module ( 301 ) leap past the nearest remote module to the next module closer to the base station.
1. A method for use in seismic data acquisition, comprising the steps of
disposing, in series, a plurality of seismic data acquisition modules that are operative to wirelessly communicate acquired seismic data, wherein said acquisition modules define a wireless serial data transfer path for relaying data from upstream acquisition modules to downstream acquisition modules and a data collection unit;
assigning a first acquisition module in said serial data transfer path a first transmission frequency;
assigning a second acquisition module in said serial data transfer path a second transmission frequency, wherein said first and second transmission frequencies are different;
first transmitting, on said first transmission frequency, seismic data from said first acquisition module to at least one downstream acquisition module; and
second transmitting, on said second transmission frequency, seismic data from said second acquisition module to at least one downstream acquisition module;
wherein at least a portion of said first transmitting and at least a portion of said second transmitting occur simultaneously.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first transmitting comprises said first acquisition module transmitting said seismic data to said second acquisition module.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said second transmitting comprises:
receiving a first set of seismic data from said first acquisition module;
appending a second set of seismic data from said second acquisition module; and
transmitting said first and second sets of seismic data to a downstream acquisition module.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
assigning said first transmission frequency to a third data acquisition module.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said first and third acquisition modules are positioned in said serial data transmission path at first and second locations, and wherein a distance between said first and second locations is greater than a transmission range of said first and third acquisition modules.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said third acquisition module is within a transmission range of said first acquisition module.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said third acquisition module is operative to transmit seismic data during a transmission period that is temporally distinct from a transmission period of said first acquisition module.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said third acquisition module form part of a different data transmission path, wherein said first and third acquisition modules are in a common seismic array.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said third acquisition module is disposed in a second serial data transfer path.
10. An apparatus for use in seismic data acquisition, comprising:
a plurality of seismic data acquisition modules, disposed in series, operative to wirelessly communicate acquired seismic data, wherein said acquisition modules define a wireless serial data transfer path for relaying data from upstream acquisition modules to downstream acquisition modules and a data collection unit;
a first acquisition module in said serial data transfer path for transmitting seismic data using a first transmission frequency; and
a second acquisition module in said serial data transfer path for transmitting seismic data using a second transmission frequency, wherein said first and second transmission frequencies are different;
wherein said first acquisition module and said second acquisition module are operative to transmit seismic data simultaneously.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a third data acquisition module in said serial data transfer path for transmitting seismic data using said first transmission frequency.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said and first and third acquisition modules are positioned in said serial data transfer path at first and second locations, wherein a distance between said first and second locations is greater than a transmission range each of each of said first and third acquisition modules.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said third acquisition module is within a transmission range of said first acquisition module and said first acquisition modules operative to transmit seismic data during a transmission period that is temporally distinct from a transmission period of said third acquisition module.