System and method for steering in a downhole environment using vibration modulation

A method for making bottom hole assembly (BHA) measurements in a bottom hole assembly (BHA), comprising:

• generating a plurality of vibration beats at the BHA using a vibration mechanism configured to use mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source;
• detecting the plurality of vibration beats generated by the vibration mechanism;
• and
• generating a waveform in a first configuration when the BHA has a first weight on bit (WOB) measurement responsive to the detected plurality of vibration beats;
• and
• generating the waveform in a second configuration when the BHA has a second WOB measurement responsive to the detected plurality of vibration beats.

A system for making bottom hole assembly (BHA) measurements in a bottom hole assembly (BHA), comprising:

• a vibration mechanism configured to use mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source to produce a plurality of vibration beats at the BHA;
• at least one vibration sensor for detecting the plurality of vibration beats generated by the vibration mechanism;
• and
• a controller for generating a waveform responsive to the detected plurality of vibration beats, wherein the waveform is generated in a first configuration when the BHA has a first number of revolutions per minute (RPM) based on the detected plurality of vibration beats and generates the waveform in a second configuration when the BHA has a second number of RPM based on the detected plurality of vibration beats.