Patent Application
20240248225
Embodiments relate to data acquisition units and more specifically to seismic data acquisition units. Some embodiments relate to a method for data acquisition, and systems employing one or more data acquisition units. Some embodiments relate to systems comprising one or more gateway devices in communication with one or more data acquisition units for high-latency data backhaul communication to a server, for remote storage and processing.
Data acquisition in remote and/or harsh environments can present various challenges. In remote and harsh environments without a power supply, there may be data storage and power constraints associated with data acquisition, such as for seismic data acquisition. Such environments may also possess hazards and/or be difficult, time-consuming, and costly to access.
Equipment for seismic data acquisition can be bulky and time-consuming to set up. Such equipment may lack connectivity and may therefore need to have significant memory capacity for data logging until the data can be retrieved.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.
Some embodiments relate to a data acquisition unit, including: a housing including an outer wall, a top part and a bottom part, wherein the outer wall, the top part and the bottom part together define an interior volume of the housing; a geolocation unit in the housing for processing a time synchronisation signal; a geolocation antenna communicatively coupled to the geolocation unit and extending from the top part of the housing; a data communication unit in the housing for enabling wireless data communication with an external gateway device; a data communication antenna communicatively coupled to the data communication unit and extending from the top part of the housing; a sensing probe extending from the bottom part of the housing; a processing unit in the housing and communicatively coupled to the geolocation unit and the data communication unit; a geophone assembly in the housing to sense vibration received via the sensing probe and housing, and to generate output signals to the processing unit; a power source in the housing to supply power to the geolocation unit, the data communication unit and the processing unit; wherein the processing unit is configured to process the output signals from the geophone assembly to determine an occurrence of a seismic event.
The geolocation unit may be a GNSS unit, such as a GPS unit, and the geolocation antenna may be a GNSS antenna, such as a GPS antenna, for example. The data communication unit may be a low power wide area network (LPWAN) unit and the data communication antenna may be a LPWAN antenna, for example.
In some embodiments, the processing unit includes: non-volatile memory storing program code executable by a processor of the processing unit to control operation of the data acquisition unit; and volatile memory to store buffered output signals and output data generated from processed output signals; wherein the processing unit is configured to generate data payloads for transmission to the external gateway device based on the processed output signals in response to determination of a seismic event.
In some embodiments, the processing unit is configured to provide the generated data payloads to the LPWAN unit for queued transmission to the external gateway device over a long range low data rate transmission link.
In some embodiments, the data acquisition unit is self-contained, such that an external power supply is not required to supplement the power source.
In some embodiments, the data acquisition unit comprises a plurality of secondary projections extending from the bottom part and spaced from the sensing probe.
In some embodiments, the secondary projections are formed as spikes.
In some embodiments, the sensing probe is formed as a spike with a narrowed tip.
In some embodiments, the outer wall is generally cylindrical and the top part and the bottom part are threadedly engaged with respective top and bottom portions of the outer wall. The top part may include an engagement ring and a top plate coupled to the engagement ring.
In some embodiments, the power source is positioned between the processing unit and the top part of the housing.
In some embodiments, the geophone assembly is positioned between the processing unit and the bottom part of the housing.
In some embodiments, the geophone assembly is tightly fastened to the bottom part of the housing to allow vibrations received by the sensing probe to be effectively transmitted to the geophone assembly via the bottom part of the housing. The processing unit may include a printed circuit board and the power source may be mounted to the printed circuit board (PCB).
In some embodiments, a top end of the sensing probe is received in the bottom part of the housing but does not extend through the bottom end of the housing.
In some embodiments, the geophone assembly includes first, second and third geophones to sense vibration in three orthogonal directions.
In some embodiments, the data acquisition unit further includes a geophone sub-housing to retain the first, second and third geophones in a fixed position within the housing, the geophone sub-housing including clamping parts formed of a material having a low modulus of elasticity.
In some embodiments, the clamping parts are formed by 3D printing.
In some embodiments, the material is a polyethylene material.
In some embodiments, the housing is formed of Aluminium or an Aluminium alloy, for example. and one or both of the secondary spike and sensing probe may be formed of Stainless Steel or a structurally similar metal.
In some embodiments, the data acquisition unit has a mass of between about 1 kg and about 2 kg. Optionally, the mass of the data acquisition unit is around 1.3 kg to around 1.7 kg.
In some embodiments, the top part comprises first engagement formations radially spaced from a centre of the top part for engaging with a force transmission tool to drive engagement of the top part with the outer wall.
In some embodiments, the first engagement formation include a plurality of recesses or projections formed in a top surface of the top part.
In some embodiments, the bottom part comprises second engagement formations radially spaced from a centre of the bottom part for engaging with a force transmission tool to drive engagement of the bottom part with the outer wall.
In some embodiments, the second engagement formation include a plurality of recesses or projections formed in a bottom surface of the bottom part.
Some embodiments relate to a kit, including the data acquisition unit and the force transmission tool.
In some embodiments, the force transmission tool has complementary engagement formations for engaging the first and/or second engagement formations.
Some embodiments relate to a data acquisition system, including: a plurality of the data acquisition units; and a data gateway device configured to communicate with each of the data acquisition units. The data gateway device may also be configured to communicate with a low earth orbit satellite to transmit data received from the data acquisition units to a remote computing system.
Some embodiments relate to a data acquisition unit, including:
The processing unit may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and the power supply unit may be mounted to or carried by the PCB. The geolocation unit and the data communication unit may be mounted on the PCB. The geolocation unit and the data communication unit may be mounted on a same side edge portion of the PCB.
The outer wall may be generally cylindrical and the top part and the bottom part may be threadedly engaged with respective top and bottom portions of the outer wall. The power source may be positioned between the processing unit and the top part of the housing. The geophone assembly may be positioned between the processing unit and the bottom part of the housing. The geophone assembly may be tightly fastened to the bottom part of the housing to allow vibrations received by the sensing probe to be effectively transmitted to the geophone assembly via the bottom part of the housing.
The top part may include an upper engagement portion extending from an upper surface of the top part to allow the data acquisition unit to be pulled upwardly. The upper engagement portion may include a loop or hook extending upwardly from the upper surface.
The processing unit may be configured to generate data payloads for transmission to the external gateway device based on the processed output signals in response to determination of a seismic event. Determination of a seismic event may be based upon a first predetermined number of most recent samples measured from the output signals of a z-axis geophone of the geophone assembly, and a first predetermined threshold.
The first predetermined threshold is periodically recalibrated based on a predetermined number of samples.
The processing unit may be configured to, after determination of the seismic event (i.e. after the beginning of a seismic event has been determined), continuously process output signals of the geophone assembly and generate data payloads based on the processed output signals for transmission to the external gateway device, until an event end condition is determined to be satisfied. The event end condition may be determined based on elapsing of a minimum sampling period and a calculated event end parameter, wherein the event end parameter is calculated based on a set of the processed output signals. The event end parameter may be calculated based on a second predetermined number of most recent samples measured from the output signals of the z-axis geophone of the geophone assembly. The determination of the event end condition may include comparing the event end parameter to a second predetermined threshold.
Each of the data payloads may comprise a header including an event identifier, an event trigger time, and sample measurements of output signals of an x-axis geophone, a y-axis geophone, and a z-axis geophone.
The processing unit may be configured to provide the generated data payloads to the data communication (or LPWAN) unit for queued transmission to the external gateway device over a long range low data rate transmission link.
The processing unit may be free of data storage for geophone sample measurements other than for buffering for seismic event determination and queued transmission to the external gateway device.
The data acquisition unit may further include a serial connector positioned in the top part to enable serial data communication between the processing unit and an external device via a serial bus.
Embodiments may also relate to units, sub-units, assemblies, sub-assemblies, systems, components, structures, processes, steps, features, and/or integers disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of two or more of said units, sub-units, assemblies, sub-assemblies, systems, components, structures, processes, steps, features, and/or integers.
Embodiments described herein generally relate to data acquisition units and more specifically to seismic data acquisition units. Some embodiments relate to methods of process for data acquisition or operation of a seismic data acquisition unit, and systems employing one or more data acquisition units. Some embodiments relate to systems comprising one or more gateway devices in communication with one or more data acquisition units for high-latency data backhaul communication of acquired data, such as data relating to detected seismic events, to a server, for remote storage and processing.
Embodiments of data acquisition units described herein may be generally designed for ease of field deployment and retrieval. Such units may be relatively light weight, compact and easily manually manipulated. Further, when used as a seismic data acquisition unit, embodiments may employ an internal component assembly or arrangement that is compact and facilitates accurate seismic measurement, while also allowing ready replacement of a power source, such as one or more batteries. For example, the power source may be accessible for replacement by removal of a top part of a housing of the data acquisition unit.
Embodiments of data acquisition units described herein may be designed to transmit low-overhead payloads intermittently (e.g. in response to seismic event detection) to a nearby data gateway device, so they can be generally low on data storage capacity. In other words, such embodiments do not act as data loggers that store seismic data gathered over time. Instead, embodiments process and transmit the acquired data to an external device once an event is detected, without committing transmitted data to persistent data storage in the unit. Embodiments store operating system code and operation parameters in persistent storage and include non-persistent storage in the form of buffers for processing sensed measurements and generating and queueing payloads, but the embodiments are otherwise generally free of persistent data storage for storing geophone sample measurements.
Communication link 118 comprises wireless communication links between the seismic data acquisition unit 110 and the gateway device 120. The wireless communication link 118 may be a low power wide area network (LPWAN) communication link. For example, the communication link may be in the form of a LoRaWAN wireless link or a Narrowband Internet of Things wireless link or Sigfox LPWAN wireless link or any other wireless communication link suitable for a low power wide area network communication. Communication over the wireless communication link 118 may be made resilient to interference by utilizing spread spectrum techniques, such as Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) or Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS), Random Phase Multiple Access (RPMA) and Listen-Before-Talk (LBT), for example.
The remote backhaul system 100 also comprises a satellite constellation 135. The satellite constellation 135 comprises one or more satellites 130. The satellite 130 is capable of communicating with gateway device 120 over a communication link 128. In embodiments with more than one satellite 130, the communication link 128 may extend to the more than one satellite 130. The communication link 128 may not be a persistent communication link and if satellite 130 is not accessible to the gateway device 120, the gateway device 120 may await the resumption of the radio communication link 128 to continue communication of information.
Radio Communication link 128 uses radio links to satellites 130 orbiting the earth to communicate data received at a gateway device 120 from the edge device array 115 and receive instructions or configuration information or firmware updates for seismic data acquisition unit 110 or gateway device 120. The remote backhaul system 100 also comprises one or more ground stations 140. The ground stations 140 receive communication from one or more satellites 130 of the satellite constellation 135 over a communication link 138. The communication link 138 may be facilitated by radio waves of suitable frequency according to the region where the ground station 140 is located.
The satellite 130 may be a low earth orbit satellite that circles the earth approximately every 90-110 minutes, for example. With such orbiting satellites, a relatively smaller number of satellite ground stations 140 may be used to receive downlinks from satellite 130, or all the data transmitted by gateway device 120.
In some embodiments, satellites 130 in a near polar orbit may be used and ground stations 140 may be located near each of the Earth's poles. This arrangement allows each satellite 130 to connect to a ground station 140 on almost every orbit, leaving the throughput latency no higher than 45 minutes (half the time required to complete an orbit), for example. In some embodiments, ground stations may be located at lower latitudes with less harsh weather and transport, and easier access to power and communication links to the ground station 140. The ground station 140 may comprise radio communication equipment necessary to communicate with the satellite 130 and a communication interface to relay received information to a core server 150 over a communications link 148. The communication link 148 may be a wired or wireless communication link to the internet available to the ground station 140 and to the core server 150. The core server 150 may be accessible over the internet through an application or platform on a client device 160 over a conventional internet connection over the communication link 158. The client device 160 may be an end user computing device such as a desktop, laptop, mobile device, tablet, for example.
The core server 150 may be configured to decode, decrypt and/or decompress communication originating from a gateway device 120 and received over the communication links 128, 138 and 148.
The remote backhaul system 100 enables high-latency communication of data between the edge device array 115 and the client device 160. High-latency communication may be inherently suitable for transmitting small messages to and from the edge device array 115 deployed in remote locations and the client device 160. High-latency communication may comprise latency of greater than about 1 second, 2 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 minutes, for example. Two high-latency communication methods are store and forward communication and short burst data communication.
Store and forward communication may be implemented by the satellite constellation 135 that periodically passes into a range where communication may be received from a gateway device 120 positioned in a remote location. Satellite 130 may gather data from the gateway device 120 and deliver it back to ground stations 140 that are connected to a network backbone or a network generally accessible over the internet. In some embodiments, the store and forward communication could be implemented by satellites or any type of air, ground or sea vehicles (carrying suitable communication and storage equipment) that intermittently travel within communications range of the gateway device 120. The transfers of data by the store and forward method may be bi-directional. The vehicles or satellites used to implement store and forward communication can be far less numerous than the number of gateway devices 120 that would be needed to cover a designated remote area. Further, vehicles or satellites used to implement store and forward communication can be more rapidly deployed, which can save time during the implementation of the remote backhaul system 100, reduce the duration of blackouts resulting from failure of gateway devices 120 and permit maintenance operations and system upgrades to be carried out using the core server 150 rather than on site in the field.
Short Burst Data (SBD) is another technique for communicating short data messages between seismic data acquisition unit 110 and a centralized host computing system such as the core server 150. SBD satellite messaging systems work by waiting for a suitable slot in a satellite network that has voice as its primary application. Examples include Orbcomm™, Jridiu™ and Globalstar™. The voice traffic in such systems is prioritized and requires latencies typically less than 500 ms, for example. However, due to the fluctuating demands for voice traffic, there are windows in which shorter messages can be sent. This is analogous to the Short Messaging System (SMS) technique/standard used in terrestrial communications networks design for mobile telephony. The typical latencies of the SBD traffic in such systems can be in the range of 5 seconds to 10 minutes or greater, for example.
In some embodiments, the gateway device 120 comprises LPWAN antennas that are configured to communicate over 8 or 16 radio channels. The gateway device 120 may communicate with seismic data acquisition units 110 within a range of 20 km, for example. The LPWAN antenna of gateway device 120 may be configured to communicate using the LoRa™ technology over the frequency bands 902-928 MHz, 863-870 MHz, 433-434 MHz, for example. The gateway device 120 may also be configured to communicate over Bluetooth (or other short-range) technology or over WiFi™ with devices located in its immediate vicinity, for example within a range of 15 m. The gateway device 120 may be configured to communicate with a maximum number of edge devices, such as at most 500 or 1000 edge devices, for example.
Enclosure 215 may have a length of about 135 mm to 165 mm. Enclosure 215 may have a length of about 140 mm to 155 mm, 147 mm to 157 mm, 150 mm to 160 mm, for example. Enclosure 215 may have a length of about 145 mm, 146 mm, 147 mm, 148 mm, 149 mm, 150 mm, 151 mm, 152 mm, 153 mm, 154 mm, 155 mm, or 156 mm for example.
Enclosure 215 may have an outer diameter of about 105 mm to 140 mm. Enclosure 215 may have an outer diameter of about 105 mm to 125 mm, 115 mm to 130 mm, or 120 mm to 135 mm, for example. Enclosure 215 may have an outer diameter of 120 mm, 121 mm, 122 mm, 123 mm, 124 mm, 125 mm, 126 mm, 127 mm, 128 mm, 129 mm, or 130 mm, for example.
In some embodiments, the top part 220 comprises a recess hole bearing central section 230, a top part segment separation 232, and a top part recess 225. The recess hole bearing central section 230 may comprise one or more top part recess holes 234. In some embodiments, the recess hole bearing section 230 comprises two three top part recess holes 234. In some embodiments, the recess hole bearing central section 230 is surrounded by a top part segment separation 232 on the top part 220. In some embodiments, the top part segment separation 232 is a recess on top part 220 forming a closed line around recess hole bearing central section 230.
On the top surface of top part 220, the top part recess holes may each have an internal diameter of about 5 to 7 mm. On the top surface of top part 220, the top part recess holes may each have an internal diameter of 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm.
Seismic data acquisition unit 110 is intended to be submerged in a ground mass or region up to the top portion, so that only the antennae 280, 290 project above ground level. A top surface of the top portion is preferably visible so that a status indicator (e.g. a coloured LED) is visible for inspection and a line-of-sight (to a gateway and satellite) for the antennae 280, 290 are unobstructed. In embodiments such as are shown and described in relation to
GPS antenna recess 390 and LPWAN antenna recess 380 may each have a diameter of about 5 to 8 mm. GPS antenna recess 390 and LPWAN antenna recess 380 may have a diameter of about 5.5 mm, 6 mm, 6.5 mm, or 7 mm, for example.
Also, as shown in
In some embodiments, fastener tool 820 is an elongated tubular shaped instrument comprising of two shafts 912 which extend from a central protrusion bearing body 910. Central protrusion bearing body 910 may be a cylinder, and may have protrusions 926 extending from a flat circular face of the cylinder. Shafts 912 may extend at 180 degrees angle from each other upon a plane parallel to the surface of the circular faces of the cylinder of the central protrusion bearing body. Shafts 912 may be rounded or segmented and oriented along their body in order to allow a user to grip the shaft with ease. Shafts 912 may bear recesses 930 on the same side as protrusions 926. Shafts may also bear recesses 942 at their ends. Recesses 930 may allow insertion of a shaft that can aid in manual rotation of the fastener tool 820.
Geophones 1033, 1035 and 1037 may be mounted upon a bottom clamping part 1020. The geophones 1033, 1035 and 1037 mounted upon bottom clamping part 1020 may be enclosed by a top clamping part 1010. The joining of top clamping part 1010 and bottom clamping part 1020 creates an inner housing 1000 for the geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037. Therefore geophone assembly 1030 may comprise inner housing 1000. Geophone assembly 1030 may also comprise screws 1012 and nuts 1022. Top clamping part 1010 and bottom clamping part 1020 may be joined by the use of screws 1012 and nuts 1022. Top clamping part 1010 and bottom clamping part 1020 may additionally or alternatively be joined by an adhesive, such as a medium strength thread-locking adhesive.
The top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 are each formed of a material having a low modulus of elasticity. For example, the material of the top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 may be a relatively hard plastic material, such as a polyethylene material. The material of the top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 may also be selected to substantially not change its form (i.e. by expansion) in temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. The material of the top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 may be a high density polyethylene material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) or a mechanically similar material. The material of the top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 may be selected to have minimal or negligible expansion or contraction due to expected thermal changes in the environment in which the data acquisition unit 110 is to be installed. The top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 may each be formed by 3D printing, for example. The material of the top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 may be selected to be formable by using a 3D printer, for example.
Geophones 1033, 1035 and 1037 may be mounted and enclosed within top clamping part 1010 and bottom clamping part 1020 so that they are oriented perpendicular to each other. Geophone 1033 may be oriented so that it is perpendicular to a celestial body's surface when seismic data acquisition unit 110 is installed. Geophones 1035 and 1037 may be oriented so that they are parallel to the tangent of the celestial body's surface and perpendicular to each other.
Geophone assembly 1030 may also comprise spacers 1014. Top clamping part 1010 may also bear spacers 1014 which may be secured to top clamping part 1010 by fasteners and/or an adhesive. A circumferential recess 1013 may be formed in an upper plate section of the top clamping part 1010 near where one of the screws 1012 passes through the top clamping plate 1010 to the bottom clamping plate 1020.
The following description will be in reference to
Printed circuit board 1300 may bear electronic components shown in
Power supply unit 1305 may comprise power source mounts 1310, power supply circuitry 1314, and power source support 1312 as shown in
The arrangement of assembled components in component assembly 1357 in the housing 205 is selected to provide a centre of mass of the device that is approximately or substantially aligned with a vertical axis of the housing 205, which is defined by an axial centre line of the probe 250 and the cylindrical outer wall 215. This allows for the data acquisition unit 110 to maintain inertial balance, which assists to avoid bias to the geophones and to therefore receive accurate measurements from the geophones. Gravity can impact the bias of the geophones at particular natural frequencies (including 4.5 Hz), so it is preferred that the data acquisition units 110, when deployed in the ground, are kept vertically straight (i.e. the vertical axis of the data acquisition unit 110 is vertical relative to the earth's surface). That is, the top part 220 may be coplanar with the ground if the ground around the data acquisition unit 110 is horizontal. It would be a significant challenge to consistently deploy up to hundreds of data acquisition units 110 if they have an imbalanced centre of mass. An imbalanced mass may also impact the vibrational response of the data acquisition unit 110, and the response may be different between the X and Y geophones 1037, 1035.
In some embodiments, processor 1484 is a microcontroller. Processor 1484 forms part of processing unit 1402. Processing unit 1402 may comprise printed circuit board 1300. Processing unit 1402 or processor 1484 may comprise volatile memory 2040 and non-volatile memory 2030 so that memory 2040 and 2030 are accessible to the microcontroller of processor 1484. Processing unit 1402 is responsible for controlling operation of the data acquisition unit 110, most of the work of which is performed by processor 1484.
Non-volatile memory 2030 may comprise operating system code 2032. Non-volatile memory 2030 may also comprise pre-determined or periodically determined operational parameters and device operation management (e.g. executed as a system tick handler) code 2034 as described in relation to
Volatile memory 2040 may comprise sample buffer 2042, event buffer 2044, and LoRaWAN queue 2046 which are further described in
In some embodiments, processor 1484 is packaged with a data communications unit 2020 including a chip for long range wireless communications. In some other embodiments, the data communications unit 2020 including the chip for long range wireless communications is not packaged with processor 1484, but instead is another electronic component which interfaces with processor 1484 outside of processor 1484's package. In some embodiments, the data communications unit 2020 is a LPWAN unit and the chip for long range wireless communications is an LPWAN chip. In some embodiments, the LPWAN chip is a LoRaWAN chip which utilizes a LoRaWAN protocol. The LoRaWAN chip may be used for low-power consumption during transmission, as well as utilizing communication range capabilities. The data communications unit 2020 including the chip for long range wireless communications enables processor 1484 to communicate with gateway 120.
GNSS unit 1494 may enable processor 1484 to communicate with a GNSS satellite 2010 for receiving positioning and timing data. The GNSS satellite may be a global positioning system (GPS) satellite, for example.
Terminal module 1970 may enable serial communications between processor 1484 and external devices. Terminal module 1970 may enable RS-232 communications via a serial bus, for example.
Power source 1330 may supply power to processor 1484 and other components on printed circuit board 1300. According to some embodiments, power source 1330 may also be able to supply power to another external device, such as a temperature sensor device 2080 (
Analog to digital converter 1920 may be used to convert voltages measured by components such as geophones 1033, 1035 and 1037 and output the digital data to processor 1484.
In some embodiments, the electronic components are chosen for their low-power consumption and capability. Components may be chosen optimal to the design rather than being limited to commercial modules. In addition, the PCBA may be designed to consume as little power as possible to extend its battery life in the field. In some embodiments, no sampled data is stored locally outside of buffering, removing the need to keep a permanent memory component, and this may save additional power.
In some embodiments, bottom part 400, top part 220, enclosure 215, annular ring or plate 1240 and plates 1110 may be comprised of Aluminium or Aluminium alloy. The probe 250 may be formed of stainless steel or another structurally equivalent metal. Materials of the data acquisition unit 110 are selected to allow the data acquisition unit 110 to be suitable for harsh environments and to improve ground coupling. The heavier the data acquisition unit 110 is, the better it will be coupled to the ground to receive transmission of seismically originating vibrations. However, if the data acquisition unit 110 is too heavy, then it can be cumbersome for transportation and deployment. If the data acquisition unit 110 is too light, then vibration sensing may be inadequate. The housing components of data acquisition unit 110, such as housing 205, being made from a light but durable metal (such as Aluminium or an alloy) improves its ruggedness for deployment in harsh and arid environments. In contrast, many IoT (Internet-of-things) devices are made from plastic to reduce manufacturing cost and are usually deployed in urban environments with conditions quite different from remote areas where seismic event detection is desired.
The use of 3D printed parts, such as top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020, to construct the geophone holder assembly 1000 advantageously provides ease of manufacture and freedom in the topological design of such parts. Top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 are formed specifically to be suitable for holding the geophones 1033, 1035, 1037 in place once assembled, and provide a robust mechanical coupling to the rest of the housing 205. The top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 are designed in a way that enables easy assembly with a robust fitting. For example, the top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 make use of interlocking features that might otherwise be challenging to design with traditional machining processes. Further, the 3D top and bottom clamping parts 1010, 1020 can provide encapsulation, suitable mechanical coupling of vibration, and a relatively homogenous mass.
In some embodiments, processor 1484 executes system tick handler code in non-volatile memory at step 1510. System tick handler code may be executed by processor 1484 repeatedly at an execution start time between 0.5 to 3 milliseconds. In some embodiments, the execution start time is about 1 millisecond. In some embodiments, execution of system interrupt handler code by processor 1484 is invoked by an interrupt signal.
At step 1510, processor 1484 determines another process step within method 1500 to commence. In some embodiments, following step 1510, processor 1484 commences one of steps 1520, 1528, 1530, or 1540. In some embodiments, execution of step 1520 may be followed by steps 1522, 1524, 1526 sequentially. In some other embodiments, execution of step 1520, may be followed by steps 1522, 1524, 1526, 1528, 1552 and 1554 sequentially. In some embodiments, execution of step 1528 may be followed by steps 1552 and 1554 sequentially. In some embodiments, execution of step 1530 may be followed by steps 1532 and 1534. In some embodiments, execution of step 1540 may be followed by steps 1542 and 1544. In some embodiments, after executing one sequence, processor 1484 may then execute one or more other sequences before the next execution of system tick handler code at step 1510. For example, processor 1484 may transmit oldest payload 1534 while also sampling all geophones at step 1520. Steps in method 1500 requiring data storage may utilize volatile memory of processor 1484.
At step 1520, processor 1484 executing code in non-volatile memory 2030 samples geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037. In some embodiments, sampled data from geophones at step 1520 may include voltage readings pertaining to instantaneous vibration-induced velocity data. The voltage readings from the geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037 may be processed by ADC 1920 to convert them from analog to digital signals. Before or after processing by the ADC 1920, the voltage readings may be filtered. The filtering may include removing a previously detected DC offset for each geophone. The filtering may include low pass filtering of the voltage readings, for example. The DC offset may be determined at an initial calibration step at commissioning of the data acquisition unit 110 and may then be periodically re-determined at recalibration steps performed by processor 1484. The frequency of the periodic recalibration may be fixed. For example, the frequency of recalibration may be around every 1 to 10 hours, or every 3 to 6 hours. The frequency of the recalibration may be increased by processor 1484 in response to changes in external and/or internal temperature, where such temperature information is available to the processor 1484. This can be helpful if the data acquisition unit 110 is in an environment that has large temperature fluctuation cycles, for example. The processor 1484 may receive temperature information about the internal and/or external temperature from a local temperature sensor in housing 205 or external to housing 205 (e.g. by serial connector 2140 or terminal module 1970), or from an external source, such as gateway device 120, for example.
In some embodiments, the voltage readings of the geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037 are sampled continuously at an interval of a total sample time. In some embodiments, the total sample time is between 15 milliseconds and 70 milliseconds. In some embodiments, the total sample time is every 25 to 30 milliseconds for a normal operation. In some embodiments, the total sample time is as often as possible. In some embodiments, the total sample time may be limited by the processor 1484 and analog to digital converter 1920. In some embodiments, system tick handler code is executed by processor 1484 at a higher frequency than the frequency of sampling at step 1520, therefore may then execute another method step from method 1500. In some embodiments, when the total sample time is around 15 to 40 milliseconds, data acquisition unit 110 may be able to accurately determine seismic events of a frequency of approximately between 1 to 10 Hz or 4 to 6 Hz. In some embodiments, the total sample time is selected or increased to conserve power or processing resources in a low power operation. In some embodiments, the lower power operation may be achieved alternatively or additionally by putting the processor 1484 in a sleep mode and/or disconnecting particular electronic components.
While processor 1484 is sampling the geophone outputs at step 1520, it stores samples in the sample buffer 2042. In some embodiments, processor 1484 is a microcontroller with the sample buffer 2042. In some embodiments, the sample buffer 2042 stores up to a fixed buffer size of n samples (e.g. 50 samples) from readings of each of geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, after processor 1484 determines that n (e.g. 50) samples have been collected at step 1522, processor 1484 will then apply a moving average filter window on a predetermined number x of the most recent samples stored in the sample buffer 2042 at step 1524 (see
In some embodiments, the moving average filter window is a calculation determined by processor 1484 based on a summation of the most recent samples and a subsequent division of the summation of the most recent samples. In some embodiments, the summation of the most recent samples is a weighted summation, wherein samples within the summation are weighted based upon relevant recency of the sample.
In some embodiments, if processor 1484 determines that the moving average filter window yields a magnitude greater than a predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold at step 1526, processor 1484 then samples geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037 and places the samples in the event buffer 2044 at step 1528. In some embodiments, processor 1484 also places samples from accelerometer 1950 into the event buffer 2044 at step 1528. In some embodiments, processor 1484 also places samples from magnetometer 1960 into the event buffer 2044 at step 1528. In some embodiments, the determination of exceeding the predetermined magnitude threshold in step 1526 and commencement of step 1528 may be referred to as an event trigger time or epoch. In some embodiments, the event trigger time may be adjusted by processor 1484 to account for delays in signal transmission and processing.
In some embodiments, the predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold is a number determined by processor 1484 from samples of geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037. In some embodiments, the predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold number is a number determined by samples from geophone 1033. The samples for determining the predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold may be measured in steps 1520 and 1528. The predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold may be determined based on an average of the magnitudes of a number of samples. In some embodiments, the predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold may be an average of the magnitudes of the samples multiplied by a scale factor number. The predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold may be determined from a predetermined number of samples. The predetermined number of samples may be between 30 and 2000 for instance. In some embodiments, the predetermined number of samples may be about 1000 samples.
In some embodiments, processor 1484 automatically and periodically recalculates the predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold after a recalibration period of time. The recalibration period may be between 1 hour and 10 hours. In some embodiments, the recalibration period is about 3 hours or 4 hours.
In some embodiments, the samples in the moving average filter window which yielded a magnitude greater than the predetermined event trigger magnitude threshold, as well as the corresponding samples from geophones 1035 and 1037 which were sampled at the same time, are placed into the event buffer 2044 before subsequent new samples from geophones 1033, 1035 and 1037. In some embodiments, processor 1484 continues to sample the geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037 and place the samples into the event buffer 2044 at step 1528. Processor 1484 may stop step 1528 when a parameter based on a sample of geophone 1033 is below a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, processor 1484 stops step 1528 when the average of multiple samples of geophone 1033 is below a second predetermined threshold, which may be called a predetermined event end magnitude threshold. In some embodiments, processor 1484 stops step 1528 when a predetermined event duration, such as a minimum event sampling period, has elapsed since sampling into the event buffer begins at step 1528. In some embodiments, the predetermined event duration is between 0.1 and 20 seconds. In some embodiments, the predetermined event duration is between 0.1 and 0.5 seconds, or 1 to 3 seconds, or 5 to 8 seconds. In some embodiments, the predetermined event duration is about 0.3 seconds. In some embodiments, a shorter predetermined event duration is chosen to filter out relatively weaker vibrations, which are likely to occur later than relatively stronger vibrations after commencement of a seismic event, and to reduce utilization of resources for data transmission and storage. In some embodiments, when processor 1484 stops sampling geophones into event buffer 2044 at conclusion of step 1528, processor 1484 continues to sample geophones 1033, 1035, and 1037 at step 1520 in the sample buffer 2042, as it contemporaneously carries out steps 1552 and step 1554 on the captured data in the event buffer 2044.
In some embodiments, once processor 1484 stops step 1528, processor 1484 then records the event trigger time at step 1552. The event trigger time may be a global time when the event was triggered. In some embodiments, the event trigger time is a global Unix time. In some embodiments, the event trigger time at step 1552 may be contemporaneously recorded at the commencement of step 1528, during step 1528, or during step 1526.
In some embodiments, after step 1528 or step 1552, wherein the sampling into event buffer 2044 and recordal of event trigger time has concluded, processor 1484 then batch processes the data in event buffer into LPWAN payloads at step 1554. In some embodiments, the LPWAN payloads may be LoRaWAN payloads 1700 as shown in
In some embodiments, processor 1484 processes the LoRaWAN payload 1700 with a LoRaWAN payload of samples 1720 which comprises a number of data fields. Samples 1720 comprises one or more delta milliseconds fields (as an indicator of time from a start of the epoch, set as time 0 as shown in
At step 1530, of
At step 1540, of
In some embodiments, and as shown in
The sample buffer 2042 may store up to the predetermined number of samples. The sample buffer 2042 may store up to 20 to 100 samples from each geophone. The sample buffer 2042 may store 25 to 55 samples, 40 to 65 samples, 50 to 80 samples, or 70 to 100 samples from each geophone, for example. The sample buffer 2042 may store 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 samples from each geophone, for example. The buffer size of sample buffer 2042 is fixed and selected according to a desired sample buffer processing capacity.
At step 3310 of method 3300, once the sample buffer 2042 is full, processor 1484 computes an event trigger parameter based on at least some of the samples in the sample buffer 2042 at step 3310. In some embodiments, the event trigger parameter is determined based on an average moving filter window 1634. In some embodiments, a predetermined number of the most recent samples is placed in the average moving filter window 1634. The predetermined number of the most recent samples may be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 samples, for example. In some embodiments, the last 5 samples are placed in the average moving filter window 1634. Processor 1484 may determine the average of the magnitude of each sample value in the moving average filter window 1634 is the event trigger parameter. In some other embodiments, processor 1484 may determine the event trigger parameter using another function, such as determining an increasing amplitude gradient of the samples in the average moving filter window 1634. In some embodiments, the event trigger parameter may be determined based on multiple separate functions applied to the samples, and/or multiple separate event trigger parameters may be calculated based on multiple different functions applied to one or multiple sets of samples. For example, the event trigger parameter may be determined based on a first function (e.g. magnitude averaging) applied to a first set of samples and on a second function (e.g. maximum amplitude difference or minimum signal-to-noise ratio) applied to a second set of samples that may be the same as or different from the first set.
At step 3315 as shown in
If the processor 1484 determines that the event trigger condition is satisfied at step 3315, processor 1484 will determine event sampling start and determine pre-event samples at step 3320 (i.e. samples between −n+x and 0, as shown in
Processor 1484 then will check for two conditions while sampling after determining a seismic event. Processor 1484 will check whether the sample buffer 2042 is full, at step 3330 in
Contemporaneously to step 3330, processor may determine whether a minimum event sampling period 1638 has expired. The minimum event sampling period 1638 may be referred to as time constraint 1638. The minimum event sampling period 1638 may be about 0.2 seconds to 1.0 seconds. The minimum event sampling period may be about 0.2 to 0.5 seconds, 0.4 to 0.7 seconds, or 0.7 to 1.0 seconds, for example. The minimum event sampling period may be about 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, or 0.4 seconds, for example.
If processor 1484 determines that the minimum event sampling period 1638 has not expired, processor 1484 continues sampling and saving event samples into sample buffer 3325.
If processor 1484 determines that the minimum event sampling period 1638 has expired, processor 1484 may then compute event end parameter, at step 3355 as shown in
The number of samples y for determining the event end condition may be a different number from the number of samples x used for determining the event trigger condition, or they may be the same number. In some embodiments, the event end parameter may be determined based on multiple separate functions applied to the samples, and/or multiple separate event end parameters may be calculated based on multiple different functions applied to one or multiple sets of samples. For example, the event end parameter may be determined based on a first function (e.g. magnitude averaging) applied to a first set of samples and on a second function (e.g. maximum amplitude difference) applied to a second set of samples that may be the same as or different from the first set.
Processor 1484 may then determine whether the event end condition is satisfied by the computed event end parameter, at step 3360, as shown in
In some embodiments, the sampling buffer 2042, after determining an event sampling start at step 3320 and then commencing step 3325, may be referred to as the event buffer. In some other embodiments, processor will use event buffer 2044 to carry out step 3325 and its subsequent steps during event capture. In some embodiments, if the magnitude of the average of the sample values in the moving average filter window is greater than a predetermined magnitude threshold, processor 1484 begins to place samples into an event buffer of processor 1484. Processor 1484 continues to place samples into event buffer for a duration that is shown by event measurement window 1636 until a time constraint 1638 has lapsed. The time constraint is a fixed time period starting from when the magnitude threshold was determined by processor 1484 to have been met or exceeded. In some embodiments, time constraint 1636 is about 0.3 seconds. In some embodiments, the time constraint is a number between 0.2 to 1 second. In some other embodiments, the time constraint is another number within an order of magnitude of 0.3 seconds. In some other embodiments, processor 1484 continues to place samples into event buffer until a data point (magnitude of a measured sample) is below a predetermined noise threshold level. In some other embodiments, processor 1484 will continue to place all the samples which are measured in the event measurement window 1636 into the event buffer, and then upon a determination that a second moving average filter window requirement is met, processor 1484 will determine that the seismic event has ended, but will continue to place samples into the event buffer in order to determine the next seismic event. In some other embodiments, processor 1484 determines a calculated noise threshold level, instead of a predetermined noise threshold level, based on measured samples from geophone 1033 and uses the calculated noise threshold level to compare with sample data in the event buffer to determine when to stop sampling into the event buffer.
According to some embodiments, the seismic data acquisition unit 110 shown in
Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a top surface diameter of about 105 mm to 140 mm. Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a top surface diameter of about 105 mm to 125 mm, 115 mm to 130 mm, or 120 mm to 135 mm, for example. Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a top surface diameter of 120 mm, 121 mm, 122 mm, 123 mm, 124 mm, 125 mm, 126 mm, 127 mm, 128 mm, 129 mm, or 130 mm, for example.
Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a bottom surface diameter of about 105 mm to 140 mm. Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a bottom surface diameter of about 105 mm to 125 mm, 115 mm to 130 mm, or 120 mm to 135 mm, for example. Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a bottom surface diameter of 118 mm, 119 mm, 120 mm, 121 mm, 122 mm, 123 mm, 124 mm, 125 mm, 126 mm, 127 mm, or 128 mm, for example.
Fixed top cover 2120 and/or top part 220 may have a height of about 21.5 to 26.5 mm. Fixed top cover and/or top part 220 may have a height of about 21 mm to 24 mm, 23 mm to 24.5 mm, or 23.5 mm to 25 mm. Fixed top cover and/or top part 220 may have a height of 23 mm, 23.5 mm, 24 mm, 24.5 mm, or 25 mm, for example.
As shown in
The annular portion 2220 may be made from aluminum. The annular portion 2220 may be ring shaped. The annular portion 2220 may also be referred to as a shelf, an annular shelf, a ring, or an aluminum ring, for example. Housing 205 may comprise annular portion 2220. The annular portion 2220 is male-threaded and serves to engage and seal with an upper internal rim of the enclosure 215 and to act as an anchor to secure the top cover 2120.
Annular portion 2220 may have a top surface diameter of about 105 mm to 140 mm. Annular portion 2220 may have a top surface diameter of about 105 mm to 125 mm, 115 mm to 130 mm, or 120 mm to 135 mm, for example. Annular portion 2220 may have a top surface diameter of 120 mm, 121 mm, 122 mm, 123 mm, 124 mm, 125 mm, 126 mm, 127 mm, 128 mm, 129 mm, or 130 mm, for example.
Annular portion 2220 may have a bottom surface diameter of about 105 mm to 140 mm. Annular portion 2220 may have a bottom surface diameter of about 105 mm to 125 mm, 115 mm to 130 mm, or 120 mm to 135 mm, for example. Annular portion 2220 may have a bottom surface diameter of 115 mm, 116 mm, 117 mm, 118 mm, 119 mm, 120 mm, 121 mm, 122 mm, 123 mm, or 124 mm, for example.
As shown in
The annular portion 2220 may also comprise fastener tool recesses 2520, as shown in
According to some embodiments, the seismic data acquisition unit may comprise a serial connector 2140, such as a mil-spec (military specification) connector. The serial connector 2140 may be fitted to the fixed top cover 2120. The serial connector 2140 may be circular. The serial connector 2140 may allow power exchange between power source 1330 and other devices external to seismic data acquisition unit 110, such as with a one or more external temperature sensor devices, power sources, or measurement devices, for example. The serial connector may allow output of 3.3V of power to other devices external to seismic data acquisition unit 110, for example.
The serial connector 2140 may allow data transfer between the processor 1484 and other external devices, such as the one or more external temperature sensor devices, power sources, measurement devices, laptops, or other configuration devices, for example.
The serial connector 2140 may allow data connections with other external devices, via the terminal module 1970 and/or USB programmer/debugger unit 1940, to the processor 1484. Other external devices may be able to transfer data to the processor 1484 via the serial connector 2140. The processor 1484 may subsequently process the data received via serial connector 2140 in a new form, and/or create a data payload from the data received and/or processed, and may transmit the data payload to the external gateway device 120 (separately from seismic event data payloads).
According to some embodiments, enclosure 215 may comprise an external orientation indication 2160, as shown in
According to some embodiments, enclosure 215 may comprise an internal orientation indication 2260, as shown in
External orientation indication 2160 and internal orientation indications 2260 may assist an installer of seismic data acquisition unit at a site to cardinally orientate the seismic data acquisition unit 110 and its internal components, such as component assembly 1357, including geophone assembly 1030. In some embodiments, internal components, such as the screw 1012 between the x and y geophones 1035 and 1037, may be used as an internal reference indication for assisting in cardinally orienting the seismic data acquisition unit 110 and its internal components.
In some embodiments, the seismic data acquisition unit 110 may also comprise an LED indicator 2150. LED indicator 2150 may be fitted on the top of the fixed top cover 2120. LED indicator 2150 may comprise one or more LEDs. LED indicator 2150 may be communicably coupled to the processor 1484. The processor 1484 may via an LED driver cause the LEDs to emit light colours and/or particular sequences of light emissions to indicate one of multiple statuses of the seismic data acquisition unit 110. For example, the LED indicator 2150 may indicate a power source 1330 charge level, a communication status of a connection of an external device via the serial connector 2140, an internal component operation failure indication, and/or a communication/operational status of the GNSS unit 1494 or the LPWAN unit 2020, for example.
In some embodiments the seismic data acquisition unit 110 may comprise an upper engagement portion 2130, which in one example includes a swivel handle, as shown in
The central hub 2132 may offer resistance and/or lock when the swivel handle 2130 is extended vertically. The central hub 2132 may resist extension to prevent extension beyond a vertical axis when the swivel handle is rotated towards the antennae 290 and 280. The engagement portion 2130 may extend to allow the seismic data acquisition unit 110 to be more easily gripped, carried, and/or transported.
The central hub 2132 may offer less resistance when rotating the engagement portion 2130 towards the serial connector 2140. The central hub 2130 may allow the engagement portion swivel handle 2130 to be rotated over to surround the serial connector 2140. The engagement portion 2130 may be rotated about a horizontal axis from an upward position to fold down compact to the fixed top cover 2120 to better allow for storage of the seismic data acquisition unit 110 than a unit with a fixed handle.
As shown in
The fixed top cover 2120 may comprise a serial connector recess 2340 and LED indicator recess 2350, as shown in
Interlocking connection may comprise a groove in the top clamping part 1010 and a protruding segment in the bottom clamping part 1020.
The inner housing 1000 may be further secured through the use of reinforcement plates 1110 and 2820. As shown in
As shown in
At step 2920, the software clock of processor 1484 may be updated by an interrupt service routine of the system tick handler code 1510 when executed by processor 1484. Step 2920 may occur every millisecond or another small unit of time within an order of magnitude of 1 millisecond, for example.
According to some embodiments, at step 2930, the software clock of processor 1484 may be updated by an external interrupt triggered by GNSS module 1494. Software clock of processor 1484 may be updated by an external interrupt triggered by GNSS module 1494 on a frequent periodic basis, such as every second, for example. Accurate timing and position information for the acquired seismic data from each data acquisition unit 110 enables more meaningful processing and downstream decision-making based on data from multiple data acquisition units 110 distributed and operating over a geographic region of interest.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021901451 | May 2021 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2022/050047 | 1/31/2022 | WO |
