Abstract: A transmission system in a downhole component comprises a plurality of data transmission elements. A coaxial cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within a passage in the downhole component such that at least one capacitor is disposed in the passage and having a first terminal coupled to the inner conductor and a second terminal coupled to the outer conductor. Preferably the transmission element comprises an electrically conducting coil. Preferably, within the passage a connector is adapted to electrically connect the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and the lead wire. The coaxial capacitor may be disposed between and in electrically communication with the connector and the passage. In another embodiment a connector is adapted to electrical connect a first and a second portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and a coaxial capacitor is in electrical communication with the connector and the passage.

Abstract: A method for identifying properties of a downhole electromagnetic network in a downhole tool sting, including the step of providing an electromagnetic path intermediate a first location and a second location on the electromagnetic network. The method further includes the step of providing a receiver at the second location. The receiver includes a known reference. The analog signal includes a set amplitude, a set range of frequencies, and a set rate of change between the frequencies. The method further includes the steps of sending the analog signal, and passively modifying the signal. The analog signal is sent from the first location through the electromagnetic path, and the signal is modified by the properties of the electromagnetic path. The method further includes the step of receiving a modified signal at the second location and comparing the known reference to the modified signal.

Abstract: A transmission system in a downhole component comprises a plurality of data transmission elements. A coaxial cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within a passage in the downhole component such that at least one capacitor is disposed in the passage and having a first terminal coupled to the inner conductor and a second terminal coupled to the outer conductor. Preferably the transmission element comprises an electrically conducting coil. Preferably, within the passage a connector is adapted to electrically connect the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and the lead wire. The coaxial capacitor may be disposed between and in electrically communication with the connector and the passage. In another embodiment a connector is adapted to electrical connect a first and a second portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and a coaxial capacitor is in electrical communication with the connector and the passage.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus of controlling power of a transmitted communication signal, a communication signal is amplified and transmitted. At least one parameter on the transmitted signal is received, and a measure of interference with the transmitted signal is determined based on the received parameter. An average power level of the communication signal is increased by clipping the communication signal prior to amplification by an amount based on the determined measure.

Abstract: A communication adapter is disclosed that provides for removable attachment to a drilling component when the drilling component is not actively drilling and for communication with an integrated transmission system in the drilling component. The communication adapter comprises a data transmission coupler that facilitates communication between the drilling component and the adapter, a mechanical coupler that facilitates removable attachment of the adapter to the drilling component, and a data interface.

Abstract: A swivel assembly for a downhole tool string comprises a first and second coaxial housing cooperatively arranged. The first housing comprises a first transmission element in communication with surface equipment. The second housing comprises a second transmission element in communication with the first transmission element. The second housing further comprises a third transmission element adapted for communication with a network integrated into the downhole tool string. The second housing may be rotational and adapted to transmit a signal between the downhole network and the first housing. Electronic circuitry is in communication with at least one of the transmission elements. The electronic circuitry may be externally mounted to the first or second housing. Further, the electronic circuitry may be internally mounted in the second housing. The electronic circuitry may be disposed in a recess in either first or second housing of the swivel.

Abstract: A downhole tool has a tubular body with an end, an exterior wall, and a bore. A mating surface is formed intermediate the exterior wall and the bore in the end of the tubular body. The mating surface is adapted to couple to a second downhole tool and has an integrated circuit. In several embodiments, the integrated circuit is an RFID circuit in communication with a downhole network through an inductive coupler. A tool identification system has surface equipment with RFID interrogating circuitry connected to a protected integrated RFID circuit in a downhole tool string component through a downhole network. A method for identifying a tool in a downhole tool string includes transmitting signals between surface equipment and identification circuitry in the tool through the downhole network.

Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetically connecting surface equipment to a rotating downhole tool string comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, first and second differential interfaces, and at least one electromagnetic shield. The plurality of electrical conductors have first ends terminating at the surface equipment and second ends terminating at the downhole tool string. The first differential interface is electrically connected to the first ends and the second differential interface is electrically connected to the second ends the electrical conductors. The first and second differential interfaces are adapted to transmit and receive a reference-independent differential signal. The electromagnetic shield surrounds and shields the electrical conductors and is connected to ground at one end. The apparatus is stationary relative to rotation of the tool string.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transmitting data across a communications network having multiple channels, a controller for use with a transceiver in a wireless communications network and a wireless communications device. In one embodiment, the method of transmitting data includes establishing a bandwidth for transmission of the data based on a priority status thereof, selecting a modulation scheme and symbol rate as a function of the establishing the bandwidth, concluding if at least one channel from the multiple channels provides the bandwidth and transmitting the data over the as least one channel based on the concluding.

Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetically connecting surface equipment to a rotating downhole tool string comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, first and second differential interfaces, and at least one electromagnetic shield. The plurality of electrical conductors have first ends terminating at the surface equipment and second ends terminating at the downhole tool string. The first differential interface is electrically connected to the first ends and the second differential interface is electrically connected to the second ends the electrical conductors. The first and second differential interfaces are adapted to transmit and receive a reference-independent differential signal. The electromagnetic shield surrounds and shields the electrical conductors and is connected to ground at one end. The apparatus is stationary relative to rotation of the tool string.

Abstract: A method for identifying properties of a downhole electromagnetic network in a downhole too string, comprising the step of providing an electromagnetic path intermediate a first location and a second location on the electromagnetic network. The method further comprises the step of providing a receiver at the second location. The receiver comprises a known reference. The analog signal comprises a set amplitude, a set range of frequencies, and a set rate of change between the frequencies. The method further comprises the steps of sending the analog signal, and passively modifying the signal. The analog signal is sent from the first location through the electromagnetic path, and the signal is modified by the properties of the electromagnetic path. The method further comprises the step of receiving a modified signal at the second location and comparing the known reference to the modified signal.

Abstract: A transmission system in a downhole component comprises a plurality of data transmission elements. A coaxial cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within a passage in the downhole component such that at least one capacitor is disposed in the passage and having a first terminal coupled to the inner conductor and a second terminal coupled to the outer conductor. Preferably the transmission element comprises an electrically conducting coil. Preferably, within the passage a connector is adapted to electrically connect the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and the lead wire. The coaxial capacitor may be disposed between and in electrically communication with the connector and the passage. In another embodiment a connector is adapted to electrical connect a first and a second portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and a coaxial capacitor is in electrical communication with the connector and the passage.

Abstract: A communication adapter is disclosed that provides for removable attachment to a drilling component when the drilling component is not actively drilling and for communication with an integrated transmission system in the drilling component. The communication adapter comprises a data transmission coupler that facilitates communication between the drilling component and the adapter, a mechanical coupler that facilitates removable attachment of the adapter to the drilling component, and a data interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing electromagnetic connectivity in a drill string are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a test signal down a transmission path in a drill string; receiving a reflection of the test signal; and determining from the reflection whether there is an interruption in the electromagnetic connectivity in the transmission path. In general, the apparatus includes a signal generator for generating a test signal into the drill string; a receiver for receiving the reflection of the test signal; and means for determining from the reflection whether there is an interruption in the electromagnetic connectivity in the transmission path. Preferably, a common coil is included through which the test signal generated by the signal generator may be transmitted into a drill string and through which a reflection of the test signal may be received.

Abstract: A swivel assembly for a downhole tool string comprises a first and second coaxial housing cooperatively arranged. The first housing comprises a first transmission element in communication with surface equipment. The second housing comprises a second transmission element in communication with the first transmission element. The second housing further comprises a third transmission element adapted for communication with a network integrated into the downhole tool string. The second housing may be rotational and adapted to transmit a signal between the downhole network and the first housing. Electronic circuitry is in communication with at least one of the transmission elements. The electronic circuitry may be externally mounted to the first or second housing. Further, the electronic circuitry may be internally mounted in the second housing. The electronic circuitry may be disposed in a recess in either first or second housing of the swivel.