Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for reducing electrical interference in measurement-while-drilling (“MWD”) data. An example may include, among other features a MWD data acquisition system including an analog data reception for receiving analog MWD data, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, at least one isolation circuit for electrically isolating the analog data reception circuit and the analog-to-digital conversion circuit from a digital data transmission circuit. In some implementations, the data reception device may be at least partially powered by the battery.

Abstract: A measurement while drilling system including a first module and a second module. The first module situated at a distal end of a drill string and including a downhole processor configured to determine that the drill string is one of on a drill plan and off the drill plan, and a downhole communication module communicatively coupled to the downhole processor to transmit signals. The second module situated at a proximal end of the drill string and including an uphole communication module configured to receive the signals. Where the downhole processor is configured to transmit non-compressed data if the drill string is off the drill plan and compressed data if the drill string is on the drill plan.

Abstract: A measurement while drilling system for a drill string having a fluidic medium in the drill string. The measurement while drilling system includes a first module situated at a distal end of the drill string and including a downhole processor and a pulser communicatively coupled to the downhole processor and configured to provide a pressure pulse in the fluidic medium, and a second module situated at a proximal end of the drill string and including an uphole processor and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the uphole processor. The downhole processor is configured to direct the pulser to provide the pressure pulse and the pressure sensor is configured to sense the pressure pulse. The uphole processor is configured to receive signals from the pressure sensor to determine a distance from the first module to the second module.

Abstract: A programmable integrated measurement while drilling (MWD) system is an integrated, ruggedized, and condensed MWD system configured to enable end-user customizable applications for downhole exploration and drilling. The integrated MWD system integrates a co-processor with a directional controller enabling execution of the end-user customizable applications without interrupting the real-time operations of the directional controller.

Abstract: A smart lower end system that can detect multiple events and failures during the generation of pressure pulses by a pulser is disclosed. Pulser failures may occur if the pilot valve fails to fully close or open, if the signal shaft fails to move and close pilot valve orifice, or if movement of the pilot valve or signal shaft is restricted. The components of the smart lower end system may cycle between sleep and wake states to allow for low power operation.

Abstract: A programmable integrated measurement while drilling (MWD) system is an integrated, ruggedized, and condensed MWD system configured to enable end-user customizable applications for downhole exploration and drilling. The integrated MWD system integrates a co-processor with a directional controller enabling execution of the end-user customizable applications without interrupting the real-time operations of the directional controller.

Abstract: An integrated measurement while drilling (MWD) system is an integrated, ruggedized, and condensed MWD system that prevents the failures present in the traditional MWD systems while maintaining a high level of accuracy. The integrated MWD system integrates the processor, power supplies and orientation sensors into a single integrated hardware module. The integration reduces the overall size of an MWD system, reduces the power consumption, increases reliability, and increases the durability of the MWD system.

Abstract: An improved downhole battery control, monitoring, and management system is described wherein battery pack parameters can be measured and used to determine optimal and efficient battery usage scenarios for a downhole measurement system. A battery local controller network is configured and used to monitor, control, and manage the batteries deployed in a downhole measurement system. Battery parameters such as voltage, power usage, energy consumption, uptime, temperature, current, and other parameters may be monitored and/or communicated on the battery local controller network and used to make management decisions about which batteries to utilize in a given time period.

Abstract: A smart lower end system that can detect multiple events and failures during the generation of pressure pulses by a pulser is disclosed. Pulser failures may occur if the pilot valve fails to fully close or open, if the signal shaft fails to move and close pilot valve orifice, or if movement of the pilot valve or signal shaft is restricted. The components of the smart lower end system may cycle between sleep and wake states to allow for low power operation.

Abstract: An improved gamma controller health detection assembly to facilitate reliable downhole measurement of naturally occurring radiation is disclosed. The gamma controller assembly includes one or more gamma sensors, a micro-controller, memory, and input/output ports among other components. The gamma sensors detect radiation and output pulses that are received by the microcontroller. The sensor data can be checked, selected, and averaged by the microcontroller, and sent uphole to another microcontroller or computer that can then further process, communicate, and display the data. The sensor data can be averaged and stored to memory or stored as independent values to memory. The gamma controller health detection assembly can be configured to run algorithms that detect if one or more gamma sensors appear to be malfunctioning or have previously malfunctioned.

Abstract: An improved gamma controller assembly to facilitate reliable downhole measurement of naturally occurring radiation is disclosed. The gamma controller assembly includes multiple gamma sensors, a micro-controller, memory, and input/output ports among other components. The multiple gamma sensors detect radiation and output pulses that are received by the microcontroller. The sensor data can be checked, selected, and averaged by the microcontroller, and sent uphole to another microcontroller or computer that can then further process, communicate, and display the data. The sensor data can be averaged and stored to memory or stored as independent values to memory. The gamma controller assembly can be configured to run algorithms that detect if one gamma controller appears to be malfunctioning and, if an apparent malfunction has occurred, adjust the sensor data that is being sent uphole.

Abstract: An improved gamma controller health detection assembly to facilitate reliable downhole measurement of naturally occurring radiation is disclosed. The gamma controller assembly includes one or more gamma sensors, a micro-controller, memory, and input/output ports among other components. The gamma sensors detect radiation and output pulses that are received by the microcontroller. The sensor data can be checked, selected, and averaged by the microcontroller, and sent uphole to another microcontroller or computer that can then further process, communicate, and display the data. The sensor data can be averaged and stored to memory or stored as independent values to memory. The gamma controller health detection assembly can be configured to run algorithms that detect if one or more gamma sensors appear to be malfunctioning or have previously malfunctioned.

Abstract: An improved gamma controller assembly to facilitate reliable downhole measurement of naturally occurring radiation is disclosed. The gamma controller assembly includes multiple gamma sensors, a micro-controller, memory, and input/output ports among other components. The multiple gamma sensors detect radiation and output pulses that are received by the microcontroller. The sensor data can be checked, selected, and averaged by the microcontroller, and sent uphole to another microcontroller or computer that can then further process, communicate, and display the data. The sensor data can be averaged and stored to memory or stored as independent values to memory. The gamma controller assembly can be configured to run algorithms that detect if one gamma controller appears to be malfunctioning and, if an apparent malfunction has occurred, adjust the sensor data that is being sent uphole.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communications system includes an unmanned vehicle and a communications station located remote from the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle has a first wireless communications system and a first directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the remote communications station. A first antenna control system tracks the remote communications station and aims the first directional antenna, in real time, at the remote communications station during wireless communications with the remote communications station. The remote communications station has a second wireless communications system having a second directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the unmanned vehicle. A second antenna control system of the remote communications station tracks the unmanned vehicle and aims the second directional antenna at the unmanned vehicle, in real time, during wireless communications with the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communications system includes an unmanned vehicle and a communications station located remote from the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle has a first wireless communications system and a first directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the remote communications station. A first antenna control system tracks the remote communications station and aims the first directional antenna, in real time, at the remote communications station during wireless communications with the remote communications station. The remote communications station has a second wireless communications system having a second directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the unmanned vehicle. A second antenna control system of the remote communications station tracks the unmanned vehicle and aims the second directional antenna at the unmanned vehicle, in real time, during wireless communications with the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A free space optical communications link is established, for example, between a commercial aircraft and an airport ground terminal unit, the link being asymmetric in the sense that a downlink to the aircraft has a much higher bandwidth than the reverse link from the aircraft so that the system is adapted for quickly loading large amounts of data (e.g., in-flight entertainment) onto the aircraft while still providing enough bandwidth for the lesser amounts of data (e.g., maintenance data) required to be transmitted from the aircraft to ground. Such adaptation provides significant benefits over standard, commercially available, free space optical communications systems. For example, equipment on the aircraft can be much smaller and lighter than ground unit equipment; and the communications link can allow for greater uncertainty in the alignment of the optical transceivers than do current free space optical communication systems and can allow for operation in harsher environmental conditions.

Abstract: A free space optical communications link is established, for example, between a commercial aircraft and an airport ground terminal unit, the link being asymmetric in the sense that a downlink to the aircraft has a much higher bandwidth than the reverse link from the aircraft so that the system is adapted for quickly loading large amounts of data (e.g., in-flight entertainment) onto the aircraft while still providing enough bandwidth for the lesser amounts of data (e.g., maintenance data) required to be transmitted from the aircraft to ground. Such adaptation provides significant benefits over standard, commercially available, free space optical communications systems. For example, equipment on the aircraft can be much smaller and lighter than ground unit equipment; and the communications link can allow for greater uncertainty in the alignment of the optical transceivers than do current free space optical communication systems and can allow for operation in harsher environmental conditions.