Serial hybrid downhole telemetry networks

A method of communicating digital data along a pipe string for use in a well, the pipe string including a first section and a second section adjoining the first section, the method of communicating digital data comprising:

• providing a first transmitter and a first receiver in the first section of the pipe string;
• providing a second transmitter located in the second section of the pipe string;
• wherein the first section of pipe string and the second section of the pipe string differ by one or more of their pipe diameters, average lengths of the pipe joints, weights of the pipe joints, thicknesses of the pipe string, types of connections between pipe joints, and base geometries of the pipe string;
• providing an interface apparatus in communication with the first receiver and the second transmitter;
• emitting, with the first transmitter, a first modulated signal encoding the digital data,
• wherein the first modulated signal is a first acoustic signal traveling in a wall of the first section of the pipe string;
• sensing, with the first receiver, the first modulated signal;
• decoding, with the interface apparatus, the first modulated signal to generate the digital data;
• emitting, with the second transmitter, a second modulated signal encoding at least a portion of the digital data, wherein the second modulated signal is a second acoustic signal traveling in a wall of the second section of the pipe string,
• wherein a first configuration of the first modulated signal differs from a second configuration of the second modulated signal,
• wherein the first and second configurations pertain to a specification for one or more of attributes of the first and second modulated signals, respectively, the attributes being selected from the list consisting of frequency bandwidth, center frequency, a modulation type and configuration, and error correction coding,
• wherein the first transmitter is one of a clamp-on transmitter attached to the first section of the pipe string and a carrier-based transmitter incorporated into a receptacle in the wall of the first section of the pipe string,
• wherein the first receiver is one of a clamp-on receiver attached to the first section of the pipe string, an inline receiver forming a portion of the first section of the pipe string, and a carrier-based receiver incorporated into a receptacle in the wall of the first section of the pipe string, and
• wherein the second transmitter is an inline transmitter forming a portion of the second section of the pipe string,
• wherein the first configuration is based on one or more characteristics of propagation of the first section of pipe, and the second configuration is based on one or more characteristics of propagation of the second section of pipe.