Abstract: A communication system capable of continuously exchanging digital information in a well logging installation between apparatus arranged on the earth's surface and apparatus arranged in an earth borehole, interconnected by a cable. Both the surface apparatus and the downhole apparatus include a controller and a modem for sending digital command messages downhole and digital data messages uphole. The downhole apparatus also includes one or more tools which are coupled in parallel to the downhole controller via a bi-directional bus. Each tool has a universal (identical) interface adapted to recognize a specific address unique to itself and a universal address common to all interfaces. A command message with a universal address may activate all of the tools in a "free-running" mode to transmit a predetermined quantity of data in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for investigating earth formations traversed by the borehole containing an electrically nonconductive fluid in which a system of pad-mounted electrodes are arranged laterally around a well tool. A high frequency oscillator is coupled to the electrodes through a selectively variable capacitor. As the apparatus is passed through the borehole, the high frequency current produced by the oscillator capacitively couples the electrodes to the formation and provides a measure of the electrical conductivity or resistivity of the earth formation.