Abstract: A cableless seismic acquisition system that is configured to resolve the locations of a plurality of cableless seismic acquisition units (e.g., up to 1,000,000 or more) of the system at sub-meter levels of accuracy (e.g., less than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, etc.) free of many of the limitations of existing manners of determining cableless unit locations in seismic acquisition systems. While accurately determining cableless unit locations for use in mapping underground structures of interest, the disclosed cableless seismic acquisition system also limits power demands of and ultimately power consumption by the cableless units to extend serviceable deployment time of the cableless acquisition system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring seismic data using a wireless network and a number of individual data acquisition modules that are configured to collect seismic data and forward data to a central recording and control system. In one implementation, a number of remote modules are arranged in lines. Base station modules receive information from the lines and relay the information to a central control and recording system. Radio links operating on multiple frequencies are used by the modules. Dynamic multiplexing technique may include advancing one or more modules in a seismic array through a multiplexing signature sequence in successive transmission periods. The multiplexing signature sequence may be random or pseudo-random. A shared multiplexing signature sequence may be used at all the modules in the seismic array. Modules belonging to a common collision domain may operate out of phase with respect to the shared multiplexing signature sequence.

Abstract: A multimode seismic survey system is disclosed where seismic information for a given seismic survey is read out by different seismic units using different modes. Such multimode systems encompass hybrid arrays where information is read out via different output modes for a single seismic event, and other multimode arrays where seismic information is read out via different modes for different seismic events. The modes utilized in such arrays may include wireless, nodal and/or cable modes. The multimode arrays can be implemented using multimode seismic units or single mode seismic units. In any event, the multimode arrays can be utilized to achieve a combination of advantages associated with the different readout modes or to address any of various multimode mode contexts in relation to seismic surveys.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for use of directionalized antennas at a seismic module in a seismic survey array. The directionalized antenna may be selectively controlled such that the control of the transmission functionality and reception functionality are independently controlled to transmit data in and receive data from different directions. In turn, bandwidth utilization may be improved in the survey. Additionally, the directionalized antennas may allow for simultaneous transmission and reception of data in a serial data transfer line.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to allocation of multiplexing signatures to wireless data acquisition modules in a seismic array with real time wireless read out. The allocation may include selecting an index value offset from an adjacent index value to form serial data transfer paths wherein reuse of multiplexing signatures are spaced as far apart as possible in serial data path. In an embodiment the allocation of multiplexing signatures may be adaptive wherein a module may scan for the presence of signals utilizing a plurality of multiplexing signatures and in turn employ a multiplexing sequence that avoids any detected noise that could lead to interference. The detected noise may be attributable to sources within the survey area or from ambient noise present in the area.

Abstract: A multimode seismic unit can selectively operate in any one or more of multimode readout modes. In one embodiment, a multimode seismic unit (1600) includes a physical mode selector switch (1602). The mode selector switch (1602) allows for manual selection of output modes including wireless, nodal, dual mode or automatic mode selection. The unit (1600) further includes an antenna (1604) for RF transmissions and a data port (1606) for uploading data in a nodal mode. The multimode unit can be used to implement a variety of single mode and multimode seismic arrays.

Abstract: A cableless seismic acquisition system that is configured to resolve the locations of a plurality of cableless seismic acquisition units (e.g., up to 1,000,000 or more) of the system at sub-meter levels of accuracy (e.g., less than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, etc.) free of many of the limitations of existing manners of determining cableless unit locations in seismic acquisition systems. While accurately determining cableless unit locations for use in mapping underground structures of interest, the disclosed cableless seismic acquisition system also limits power demands of and ultimately power consumption by the cableless units to extend serviceable deployment time of the cableless acquisition system.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for use of directionalized antennas at a seismic module in a seismic survey array to allow for simultaneous transmission and reception of data in a serial data transfer line. The directionalized antenna may be selectively controlled such that the control of the transmission functionality and reception functionality are independently controlled to transmit data in and receive data from different directions. In turn, bandwidth utilization may be improved in the survey.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilization of a smart antenna in facilitating wireless communication between adjacent seismic data acquisition modules. The smart antenna may target an adjacent module with a radiation pattern directed toward the adjacent module. As such, the modules may employ space division multiplexing techniques to avoid interference between modules in the array. The modules may scan throughout a continuum of positions to locate adjacent modules. Once located, a spatial signal signature may be identified for the adjacent module and beamforming vectors may be calculated for targeting the radiation pattern toward the located module.

Abstract: A multimode seismic survey system is disclosed where seismic information for a given seismic survey is read out by different seismic units using different modes. Such multimode systems encompass hybrid arrays where information is read out via different output modes for a single seismic event, and other multimode arrays where seismic information is read out via different modes for different seismic events. The modes utilized in such arrays may include wireless, nodal and/or cable modes. The multimode arrays can be implemented using multimode seismic units or single mode seismic units. In any event, the multimode arrays can be utilized to achieve a combination of advantages associated with the different readout modes or to address any of various multimode mode contexts in relation to seismic surveys.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seismic data acquisition utilizing wireless modules to perform real time data read out. The wireless modules may be assigned a shared multiplexing sequence through which each module advances in successive transmission periods. Wireless modules belonging to a shared collision domain may be operated out of phase from one another with respect to the shared multiplexing signature sequence. As such, a dynamic multiplexing regime may be implemented. The shared multiplexing signature sequence may include, among others, a plurality of different frequencies, a plurality of different codes, or a plurality of different discrete time periods.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for deploying wireless data acquisition modules that facilitate autonomous initialization. The wireless data acquisition modules may initiate a initialization process in response to a stimulus associated with being deployed. The wireless data acquisition module may further conduct a neighbor discovery process and in turn establish a data transfer path among one or more other wireless data acquisition modules. Further, information obtained during a series of autonomous tests may be communicated during the neighbor discovery process and the establishment of the data transfer path may at least in part be based on the information obtained in the autonomous tests.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for deploying wireless data acquisition modules that facilitate autonomous initialization. The wireless data acquisition modules may initiate a initialization process in response to a stimulus associated with being deployed. The wireless data acquisition module may further conduct a neighbor discovery process and in turn establish a data transfer path among one or more other wireless data acquisition modules. Further, information obtained during a series of autonomous tests may be communicated during the neighbor discovery process and the establishment of the data transfer path may at least in part be based on the information obtained in the autonomous tests.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to allocation of multiplexing signatures to wireless data acquisition modules in a seismic array with real time wireless read out. The allocation may include selecting an index value offset from an adjacent index value to form serial data transfer paths wherein reuse of multiplexing signatures are spaced as far apart as possible in serial data path. In an embodiment the allocation of multiplexing signatures may be adaptive wherein a module may scan for the presence of signals utilizing a plurality of multiplexing signatures and in turn employ a multiplexing sequence that avoids any detected noise that could lead to interference. The detected noise may be attributable to sources within the survey area or from ambient noise present in the area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring seismic data using a wireless network and a number of individual data acquisition modules that are configured to collect seismic data and forward data to a central recording and control system. In one implementation, a number of remote modules (301) are arranged in lines. Base station modules (302) receive information from the lines and relay the information to a central control and recording system (303). Radio links operating on multiple frequencies (F1-F12) are used by the modules (301). For improved data transfer rate, radio links from a remote module (301) leap past the nearest remote module to the next module closer to the base station.

Abstract: A multimode seismic survey system is disclosed where seismic information for a given seismic survey is read out by different seismic units using different modes. Such multimode systems encompass hybrid arrays where information is read out via different output modes for a single seismic event, and other multimode arrays where seismic information is read out via different modes for different seismic events. The modes utilized in such arrays may include wireless, nodal and/or cable modes. The multimode arrays can be implemented using multimode seismic units or single mode seismic units. In any event, the multimode arrays can be utilized to achieve a combination of advantages associated with the different readout modes or to address any of various multimode mode contexts in relation to seismic surveys.

Abstract: A multimode seismic unit can selectively operate in any one or more of multimode readout modes. In one embodiment, a multimode seismic unit (1600) includes a physical mode selector switch (1602). The mode selector switch (1602) allows for manual selection of output modes including wireless, nodal, dual mode or automatic mode selection. The unit (1600) further includes an antenna (1604) for RF transmissions and a data port (1606) for uploading data in a nodal mode. The multimode unit can be used to implement a variety of single mode and multimode seismic arrays.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring data using a wireless network and a number of nodes that may be configured to collect acquired data and forward data to a central recording and control system. The acquired data may include seismic and/or auxiliary data. A node for use in data acquisition may include an acquisition module in operative communication with a buried sensor array operable to output acquired data. The processor may also be operable to receive acquired data from another data acquisition module in the wireless network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilization of a smart antenna in facilitating wireless communication between adjacent seismic data acquisition modules. The smart antenna may target an adjacent module with a radiation pattern directed toward the adjacent module. As such, the modules may employ space division multiplexing techniques to avoid interference between modules in the array. The modules may scan throughout a continuum of positions to locate adjacent modules. Once located, a spatial signal signature may be identified for the adjacent module and beamforming vectors may be calculated for targeting the radiation pattern toward the located module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seismic data acquisition employing a dynamic multiplexing technique. The dynamic multiplexing technique may include advancing one or more modules in a seismic array through a multiplexing signature sequence in successive transmission periods. The multiplexing signature sequence may be random or pseudo-random. A shared multiplexing signature sequence may be used at all the modules in the seismic array. As such, modules belonging to a common collision domain may operate out of phase with respect to the shared multiplexing signature sequence.