Wireless exploration seismic 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 ( 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.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for use in seismic data acquisition, comprising:
 disposing, in series, a plurality of seismic data acquisition modules that are operative to wirelessly communicate acquired seismic data, wherein said modules define a wireless serial data transfer path for relaying data from upstream modules to downstream modules and a data collection unit;   transmitting a first set seismic data from a first upstream module in said serial data transfer path to a first downstream module in said serial data transfer path;   transmitting a second set of seismic data from a second upstream module in said serial data transfer path to a second downstream module in said serial data transfer path, wherein at least a portion of the transmitting of said first and second sets of seismic data occurs during a common transmission period.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said first set of seismic data is transmitted on a first transmission frequency and wherein said second set of seismic data is transmitted on a second transmission frequency, wherein said first and second frequencies are different. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said first and second sets of seismic data are transmitted on a common frequency. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said first and second upstream modules are separated by a distance greater than a transmission range of either of said first and second upstream modules. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 assigning each set of seismic data a distinct code prior transmitting said first and second sets of seismic data.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 transmitting a third set of seismic data on said first frequency, wherein said third set of seismic data is transmitted by a third upstream module within a transmission range of said first upstream module.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said third set of seismic data is transmitted during a transmission period that is temporally distinct from said common transmission period. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said third set of seismic data is transmitted on a separate data transfer path. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said serial data transfer path and said separate data transfer path are parallel paths. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 transmitting a first plurality of sets seismic data from a first set of upstream modules in said serial data transfer path to a first set of downstream modules in said serial data transfer path;   transmitting a second plurality of sets of seismic data from a second set of upstream modules in said serial data transfer path to a second set of downstream modules in said serial data transfer path, wherein at least a portion of the transmitting of said first   
     
     
         22 . A method for use in seismic data acquisition, comprising:
 disposing a plurality of seismic data acquisition modules in an array, wherein each module is operative to wirelessly communicate with at least one other module in said array to define a data transmission path through said array;   providing a base unit for receiving seismic data from at least one said module in said array, wherein said base unit is in wireless communication with said data transmission path;   first transmitting a first set of seismic data from at least a first module of a first subset of said plurality of modules to at least a second module of a second subset of said plurality of modules during a first transmission period; and   second transmitting said first set of seismic data from said second module of said second subset of modules to a third module of said first subset of modules during a second transmission period, wherein said first set of seismic data is relayed via said data transmission path toward said base unit.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein during each of said transmitting steps individual modules each transmit seismic data to another module located nearer to said base unit. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said second transmitting further comprises:
 transmitting a second set of seismic data from at least said second module of said second subset of modules to said third module.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 repeating said first and second transmitting steps between said first and second subsets of modules until all seismic data from said plurality of modules is received by said base unit.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said first subset of modules comprises a first alternating series of said plurality of modules and wherein first transmitting comprises said first alternating series of modules transmitting data to a second alternating series of modules defining said second subset of seismic data acquisition modules. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein each module of said first alternating series of modules transmits seismic data to an adjacent module of said second alternating series of modules that is disposed at a location along said data transmission path that is nearer to said base unit. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said base station receives seismic data associated with at least one module during each of said first and second transmission periods. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 generating said seismic data at each of said plurality of modules, wherein said data is generated in response to a seismic event.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of said seismic data generated by each said module is transmitted during said seismic event. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving, at said base station, multiple separate data transmissions associated with an individual module for a single seismic event;   combining said multiple separate data transmissions into a single data file, wherein said single data file represents a response of said individual module to said seismic event.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 assigning each of said plurality of modules a transmission frequency for use in transmitting said seismic data.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein at least first and second modules of said plurality of seismic data acquisition modules are assigned a common transmission frequency for use during a common transmission period. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said first and second modules are physically spaced to prevent interference during said common transmission period. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein at least first and second modules of said plurality of modules are assigned a common transmission frequency, wherein said first and second modules transmit seismic data during temporally distinct transmission periods. 
     
     
         36 - 138 . (canceled)