Seismic data acquisition system with selectively enabled sensor units, and associated methods

Abstract

A disclosed seismic survey system includes one or more streamer(s) each having multiple spaced apart sensor units, and a data recording and control system. Each sensor unit receives a command from the data recording and control system, and operates in an enabled state or a disabled state dependent upon the command. The data recording and control system collects and stores data from enabled sensor units. The sensor units produce data when in the enabled state, and dissipate significantly less electrical power in the disabled state. A described sensor unit includes one or more sensor(s), an analog-to-digital converter, and a control unit that enables or disables the analog-to-digital converter dependent upon the command. A disclosed method for acquiring seismic survey data includes issuing an enable or disable command to each of multiple spaced apart sensor units, and receiving and storing data from those sensor units that are enabled.

1 . A method for acquiring seismic survey data, comprising:
 generating a configuration table that specifies an enabled/disabled state for each of a plurality of spaced apart sensor units;   using the configuration table to issue an enable or disable command to each of said plurality of spaced apart sensor units in a marine seismic streamer to provide a compressed sensing arrangement of enabled sensor units;   triggering a seismic shot;   receiving data from those sensor units that are enabled; and storing the data.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor units are arranged to span a two-dimensional area. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor units dissipate substantially more electrical power in the enabled state than in the disabled state. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the command comprises at least one binary digit, and wherein the at least one binary digit specifies whether a receiving sensor unit is to be placed in the enabled state or the disabled state. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the sensor units has a unique address, and wherein the issuing of the command to each of the sensor units is carried out using the addresses of the sensor units. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the generating comprises: for each of the sensor units:
 producing a random number between 0 and 1;   if the random number is between 0 and a predetermined threshold value, indicating in the configuration table that the sensor unit is to be enabled; and   if the random number is not between 0 and the predetermined threshold value, indicating in the configuration table that the sensor unit is to be disabled.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the sensor units comprises a control unit coupled to an analog-to-digital converter, and wherein the control unit is adapted to receive the command and to either enable or disable the analog-to-digital converter in response to the command. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the storing of the data involves storing the data on a non-volatile medium. 
     
     
         9 . A method for acquiring seismic survey data, comprising:
 generating a configuration table that specifies an enabled/disabled state for each of a plurality of spaced apart sensor units spanning a two-dimensional area;   using the configuration table to issue an enable or disable command to each of said plurality of spaced apart sensor units in a marine seismic streamer to provide a compressed sensing arrangement of enabled sensor units, the command comprising at least one binary digit indicating whether a sensor unit is to be enabled or disabled;   triggering a seismic shot;   receiving data from those sensor units that are enabled; and storing the data.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the sensor units dissipate substantially more electrical power in the enabled state than in the disabled state. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each of the sensor units has a unique address, and wherein the issuing of the command to each of the sensor units is carried out using the addresses of the sensor units. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the generating comprises: for each of the sensor units:
 producing a random number between 0 and 1;   if the random number is between 0 and a predetermined threshold value, indicating in the configuration table that the sensor unit is to be enabled; and   if the random number is not between 0 and the predetermined threshold value, indicating in the configuration table that the sensor unit is to be disabled.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each of the sensor units comprises a control unit coupled to an analog-to-digital converter, and wherein the control unit is adapted to receive the command and to either enable or disable the analog-to-digital converter in response to the command. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the storing of the data involves storing the data on a non-volatile medium. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each of the sensor units comprises an analog-to-digital converter, and wherein issuing the enable or disable command to each of said plurality of spaced apart sensor units in a marine seismic streamer comprises activating or deactivating the analog-to-digital converter of the sensor unit. 
     
     
         16 . A method for acquiring seismic survey data, comprising:
 generating a configuration table that specifies an enabled/disabled state for each of a plurality of spaced apart sensor units spanning a two-dimensional area, each sensor unit comprising an analog-to-digital converter;   using the configuration table to issue an enable or disable command to each of said plurality of spaced apart sensor units in a marine seismic streamer to provide a compressed sensing arrangement of enabled sensor units, the command comprising at least one binary digit indicating whether a sensor unit is to be enabled or disabled;   in response to the command, activating or deactivating the analog-to-digital converter of each sensor units in the marine seismic streamer;   triggering a seismic shot;   receiving data from those sensor units that are enabled; and storing the data on a non-volatile medium.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the sensor units dissipate substantially more electrical power in the enabled state than in the disabled state. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each of the sensor units has a unique address, and wherein the issuing of the command to each of the sensor units is carried out using the addresses of the sensor units. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the generating comprises: for each of the sensor units:
 producing a random number between 0 and 1;   if the random number is between 0 and a predetermined threshold value, indicating in the configuration table that the sensor unit is to be enabled; and   if the random number is not between 0 and the predetermined threshold value, indicating in the configuration table that the sensor unit is to be disabled.   
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each of the sensor units further comprises a control unit coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, and wherein the control unit is adapted to receive the command and to either enable or disable the analog-to-digital converter in response to the command.