Serial hybrid downhole telemetry networks

An apparatus for 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, 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;

• the method of communicating digital data comprising:
• a first transmitter located in the first section of the pipe string;
• a second transmitter located in the second section of the pipe string;
• an interface apparatus provided in communication with a first receiver and the second transmitter;
• wherein the first transmitter is configured to emit 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;
• wherein the first receiver is configured to sense the first modulated signal;
• wherein the interface apparatus is configured to decode the first modulated signal to generate the digital data;
• wherein the second transmitter is configured to emit 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 a clamp-on transmitter attached to the first section of the pipe string or a carrier-based transmitter incorporated into a receptacle in the wall of the first section of the pipe string,
• wherein the first receiver is an inline receiver, 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.

A method of communicating 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 pipe string including pipe joints, wherein the first section of the pipe string and the second section of the pipe string differ by one or more of their pipe joint diameters, average lengths of their pipe joints, weights of their pipe joints, thicknesses of their pipe joints, types of connections between their pipe joints, and base geometries of their pipe joints;

• the method comprising:
• providing a first transmitter in the first section of the pipe string;
• providing a second transmitter in the second section of the pipe string;
• providing an interface apparatus in communication with a first receiver and the second transmitter;
• emitting, with the first transmitter, a first modulated signal encoding 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;
• and
• 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 transmitter is one of a clamp-on transmitter attached to the first section of the pipe string, a carrier-based transmitter incorporated into a first receptacle in the wall of the first section of the pipe string, and an inline transmitter forming a portion of the first section of the pipe string,
• wherein the first receiver is one of a clamp-on receiver, a carrier-based receiver, and an inline receiver, and
• wherein the first configuration is based on one or more characteristics of propagation of the first section of the pipe string, and the second configuration is based on one or more characteristics of propagation of the second section of the pipe string.