Well-Logging System With Data Synchronization And Methods

Abstract

A well-logging system may include a tool assembly to be positioned within a borehole of a subterranean formation and to store second data including a second time marker related to a first time marker. The well-logging system may include a controller above the subterranean formation. The controller may process first data including the first time marker, recover the second data, and synchronize the second data based upon the second time marker and the first time marker.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well-logging system comprising:
 a tool assembly to be positioned within a borehole of a subterranean formation and to store second data including at least one second time marker related to at least one first time marker; and   a controller above the subterranean formation and to
 process first data including the at least one first time marker, 
 recover the second data, and 
 synchronize the second data based upon the at least one second time marker and the at least one first time marker. 
   
     
     
         2 . The well-logging system of  claim 1  wherein said tool assembly sends the first data to said controller; and wherein said controller generates a first time value when the at least one first time marker is received. 
     
     
         3 . The well-logging system of  claim 2  wherein said tool assembly generates a second time value when the at least one first time marker is sent; and wherein said controller synchronizes the second data by time aligning the first time value with the second time value. 
     
     
         4 . The well-logging system of  claim 3  wherein said tool assembly stores the second time value along with the stored second data. 
     
     
         5 . The well-logging system of  claim 3  wherein said tool assembly maintains a local clock to generate the second time value, and resets the local clock periodically. 
     
     
         6 . The well-logging system of  claim 2  wherein said tool assembly sends the at least one first time marker during a power-up procedure. 
     
     
         7 . The well-logging system of  claim 2  wherein said tool assembly sends the at least one first time marker on a frame-by-frame basis. 
     
     
         8 . The well-logging system of  claim 2  wherein said tool assembly comprises a logging-while-drilling (LWD) device, and a measuring-while-drilling (MWD) device coupled thereto; wherein said MWD device sends the at least one first time marker to said LWD device and said controller; and wherein said LWD device generates and stores the second data. 
     
     
         9 . The well-logging system of  claim 2  wherein the at least one first time marker comprises a periodic system message. 
     
     
         10 . A tool assembly in communication with a controller, the tool assembly comprising:
 a processor and memory cooperating therewith to
 send first data including at least one first time marker, and 
 store second data including at least one second time marker related to the at least one first time marker, the controller receiving the first data including the at least one first time marker, recovering the second data, and synchronizing the second data based upon the at least one second time marker and the at least one first time marker. 
   
     
     
         11 . The tool assembly of  claim 10  wherein said processor and memory are positioned within a borehole of a subterranean formation; and wherein the controller is above the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         12 . The tool assembly of  claim 10  wherein the controller generates a first time value when the at least one first time marker is received. 
     
     
         13 . The tool assembly of  claim 12  wherein said processor and memory generate a second time value when the at least one first time marker is sent; and wherein the controller synchronizes the second data by time aligning the first time value with the second time value. 
     
     
         14 . The tool assembly of  claim 13  wherein said processor and memory store the second time value along with the stored second data. 
     
     
         15 . The tool assembly of  claim 13  wherein said processor and memory maintain a local clock to generate the second time value, and reset the local clock periodically. 
     
     
         16 . A method for well-logging comprising:
 positioning a tool assembly within a borehole of a subterranean formation;   using the tool assembly to store second data including at least one second time marker related to at least one first time marker; and   using a controller above the subterranean formation to process first data including the at least one first time marker, recover the second data, and synchronize the second data based upon the at least one second time marker and the at least one first time marker.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 using the tool assembly to send the first data; and 
 using the controller to generate a first time value when the at least one first time marker is received. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 using the tool assembly to generate a second time value when the at least one first time marker is sent; and 
 using the controller to synchronize the second data by time aligning the first time value with the second time value. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising using the tool assembly to store the second time value along with the stored second data. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising using the tool assembly to maintain a local clock to generate the second time value, and reset the local clock periodically.