# US 2021/0277774 A1 · Direct Sequence Spectrum Signal Downhole Tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0277774 A1 - Document ID: US20210277774A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/192,040 - Filed: 2021-03-04 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-27 - Inventors: Ryan Parasram; Adam Gresswell; Rich Warner; David Wadsworth; Nigel Prior - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210277774A1 ## CPC - E21B 47/12: Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling - H04B 1/38: Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving - H04B 1/707: using direct sequence modulation - H04L 63/0428: {wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload} - H04L 63/062: {for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Embodiments described herein comprise a wellbore system having a controller, one or more downhole tools, and a conveyance configured to lower the one or more downhole tools into the wellbore. The one or more control nodes are located in at least one of the downhole tools and wherein the control nodes activate a portion of the downhole tool and data is exchanged between the control node and the controller using a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for actuating a downhole tool, comprising: encrypting a command or commands; transmitting said encrypted command or commands from one or more controllers, via a conveyance, to one or more control nodes in at least a portion of at least one downhole tool using a direct sequence spread spectrum signal (DSSS) transceiver with telemetry; receiving said encrypted command or commands at one or more control nodes in a wellbore; decrypting said encrypted command or commands at one or more control nodes; determining the decrypted command is valid for the specific control node or nodes; determining said decrypted command is valid for the specific control node task; and actuating, or performing the defined action, actions, task or tasks, in the targeted control node or nodes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said encrypted command, upon decryption, may be directed to a specific node or nodes, directed to a specific node action, actions, task or tasks and valid for a specific period of time or a combination thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein actuating said downhole tool or tools by said one or more control nodes is further defined by control nodes electrically configured in series, parallel, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein actuating a downhole tool may further comprise applying a voltage signature to said one to a plurality of control nodes having one or more thresholds or patterns for achieving actuation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more control nodes may send encrypted data to and receive encrypted data from said controller, said controller may send encrypted data to and receive encrypted data from said control node, or a combination thereof, at transmission rates greater or equal to 250 bits per second (bps). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said control node or control nodes may interface with one or more actuators, one or more sensors, or a combination of both, for conveyance of encrypted data bidirectionally. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein a node specific, node action specific, node task specific, or a combination thereof, of encryption keys may be pre-programmed into, or generated by, said control node or said controller and broadcast to, or requested by, said controller for controlling, monitoring, and sending encrypted data to and receiving encrypted data from said at least one downhole tool; and said encryption key or keys broadcasting a specified number of times at specific intervals to actuate, count and/or locate said at least one downhole tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein said encrypted data sent from a controller to a control node may consist of a command or a request and encrypted data from a control node or control nodes may consist of pressure data, temperature data, voltage data, current data, shock data, and acoustic data, or the like. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said control node may be configured to record, track and store status and digital or analog data to a non-volatile memory for subsequent analysis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein status and digital or analog data may include: number of commands; type of commands; timing of commands; success and failure of commands; and conditions experienced at said control node or nodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said conditions experienced at said control node or nodes may be pressure, temperature, tension, acoustics, physical shock, a voltage event, current draw and the like. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more control nodes are configured to initialize on power up for different functionalities by checking a non-volatile memory. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein actuating the downhole tool comprises sending one, more than one, the same, different, or a combination thereof, encrypted commands, via said conveyance, from said controller to said control node and said control node to said controller. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating a control node in one or more additional downhole tools by encrypted command to one or more successive inline bus switches in said control nodes for downhole tool's or downhole tools' actuation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more control nodes operates by protecting an associated actuator from stray voltages or currents, such as RF induced power, using one or more redundant positive thermal coefficient (PTC) thermistors, wherein such protection provides a current path that bypasses the actuator where deactivation of the protection is achieved through application of actuation power and/or increased well temperature and wherein said thermistor may further be protected by an inline fuse to mitigate failing short circuited. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each said one or more control nodes controlled by a controller has an inline bus switch configured to be normally open in a first position, and wherein in the first position said bus switch is configured to activate said one or more control nodes in the next lower downhole tool, or normally closed in a second position, and wherein in said second position said bus switch is configured to deactivate said one or more control nodes in the next lower downhole tool, dependent on the requirements of the control node or nodes, said downhole tool or tools, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to count the number of control nodes on a conveyance and is further configured to determine the order and switch position of said control nodes on said conveyance and wherein the order is stored by caching said one or more control nodes' encryption keys or by tracking current draw. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said control node may actuate, interrupt, measure, or a combination thereof, power or signal, or a combination of power and signal, conveyed to the next activated control node. ### Claim 19 A method for using the head voltage on a control node to set the state of the inline bus switch wherein (a) the initial head voltage sets the default state of the inline bus switch at power up, (b) a change of state of the inline bus switch may be initiated after power up with a command, or, (c) after power up, the head voltage may change the inline bus switch's state directly. ### Claim 20 A method of communication synchronization, for start-of-frame, by forcing a separation of total and match energies in the Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) demodulator for a specific length of time.