Apparatus and Method for Seismic Data Acquisition

An apparatus for providing a connection between electrical circuitry configured to process seismic data and at least one seismic data carrier, comprising:

• a connector housing adapted to receive the at least one seismic data carrier;
• one plug fixed on said connector housing, said one plug being electrically coupled to the at least one seismic data carrier;
• an electrical circuitry module associated with said connector housing;
• and
• one receptacle fixed on said electrical circuitry module, said one receptacle being electrically coupled to the electrical circuitry, said one receptacle being matable with said one plug, the at least one seismic data carrier being in communication with the electrical circuitry only when said one plug and said one receptacle are mated.

A data acquisition unit, comprising:

• a connector housing having a first and second body, each of said bodies including a plug disposed therein, said bodies substantially sealing a portion of their respective plugs;
• an electrical circuitry module configured to mate with said connector housing, said electrical circuitry module including an interior space, two receptacles, and electrical circuitry, said receptacles being complementary to said plugs, said interior space being adapted to receive electrical circuitry, said receptacles being in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;
• and
• a seal associated with said electrical circuitry module, said seal substantially preventing contaminants from entering said electrical circuitry module interior space.

A seismic survey system, comprising:

• (a) a data collection facility for collecting and processing seismic data;
• (b) a plurality of transducers adapted to detect acoustical energy and transmit seismic data signals in response thereto;
• (c) a plurality of seismic data acquisition units, each said seismic data acquisition unit being configured to receive said seismic data signals from a predefined set of said transducers, to process at least a portion of said seismic data signals, and to transmit at least a portion of said seismic signals to one of the data collection facility and an intermediate external device, each said seismic data acquisition unit including:
• (i) a circuitry module enclosing circuitry for processing seismic signals and for providing communication with at least one external device;
• (ii) a connector housing matable with said circuitry module, said connector housing receiving at least one seismic data carrier adapted to carry seismic signals;
• and
• (iii) a single interface between said circuitry and said at least one seismic data carrier, said interface including a first connector coupled to said circuitry and a second connector coupled to said at least one seismic data carrier, said single interface establishing communication between said circuitry and said at least one seismic data carrier via said first and second connectors;
• and
• (d) a seismic data carrier network carrying said seismic data from said predefined set of said transducers to said seismic data acquisition units and from said seismic data acquisition units to said data collection facility.