US 5,724,241 AGranted

Distributed seismic data-gathering system

AssigneeWestern Atlas International, Inc.

InventorsGeorge William Wood, Ricky Lynn Workman, Michael W. Norris

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Abstract

A distributed seismic data acquisition system includes a vast plurality of Autonomous Data Acquisition Modules (ADAM) to each of which are interconnected a subplurality of data-collection channels. Each data collection channel is comprised of an array of seismic sensors for continuously measuring seismic signals. The ADAMs include a GPS satellite receiver for providing geographic coordinates and system clock. Measured seismic signals are quantized and continuously downloaded to the respective interconnected ADAMs from the data-collection channels. The system includes both field testing capability as well means for transmitting the results of self tests. Provision is made for servicing the ADAMs at the end of a multi-day recording session and for harvesting and cataloging the recorded data. The seismic signals gathered by use of the distributed data-gathering system may be processed to provide a subsurface earth model.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A seismic data-gathering system comprising:

a first plurality of seismic signal-collection channels, for continuously measuring seismic signals, interconnected by channel number with at least one data acquisition module;
a GPS satellite receiver integral with said data acquisition module for monitoring the geographic coordinates thereof and for establishing a system clock synchronized to satellite time-base transmissions;
each said data-collection channel including means, under program control from said data-acquisition module for
a) accepting utility data including externally-derived geographic coordinates, channel-identification indicia and instrumental configuration settings characterizing each said channel,
b) continuously sampling and quantizing the continuously-measured seismic signals at preselected timed sample intervals during a predetermined signal-collecting time window, and
c) downloading the quantized measured seismic signals and utility data to the data acquisition module interconnected therewith;
and
means in the interconnected data-acquisition module for continuously receiving and recording on a storage medium, the downloaded quantized measured seismic signals in sample-sequential order by channel number and for recording said utility data.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.