WIRELESS MODEM FOR COMMUNICATION ON A NETWORK METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PATH TO COMMUNICATE USING WIR

专利摘要:
wireless modem for communication on a wire through a communication channel, network of modems without acoustic modem for communication on a network of acoustic modems via a drill string, and method of determining a path to communicate using wireless modems in an environment well bottom. a wireless modem for communicating on a wireless modem network via a communication channel includes a transceiver assembly, transceiver electronics, and a power supply. the electronics of transmitter electronics, electronics minus a processing unit. Transmitter causes the transceiver assembly to include the receiver and the transceiver electronics to send wireless signals to the communication channel. receiver electronics decode signals received by the transceiver assembly. the at least one processing unit executes instructions to (1) allow the transmitter electronics to transmit the wireless signals to the communication channel for at least two wireless mod ms in a first direction away from the transceiver assembly, (2) receive a signal from at least one of the wireless modems, (3) assign a quality parameter to the signals received from the other wireless modems, and (4) select one of the wireless modems to communicate based on an examination of the quality parameters and at least one predetermined criterion. the power source supplies power to the transceiver assembly and the transceiver electronics.
公开号:BR112013025133B1
申请号:R112013025133-6
申请日:2012-03-28
公开日:2022-01-11
发明作者:Carlos Merino
申请人:Prad Research And Development Limited；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to wireless telemetry systems for use with oil and gas well facilities or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for a wireless modem to determine a communication path with other wireless modems to transmit and receive control signals and data between a downhole location and the surface, or 10 between wireless modems (ie, a first wireless modem, a second wireless modem, etc.) at various rock bottom locations. FUNDAMENTALS
One of the most difficult problems associated with any well is communicating measured data between one or more downhole locations and the surface, or between downhole locations themselves. For example, 15 in the oil and gas industry it is desirable to communicate data generated at the bottom of the well to the surface during operations such as drilling, perforating, fracturing, and drilling tool or well testing; and during production operations such as reservoir assessment tests, pressure and temperature monitoring. Communication is also desired to transmit intelligence from the surface to downhole tools, equipment or instruments to effect, control or modify operations or parameters.
Accurate and reliable communication with the downhole is particularly important when complex data comprising a set of measurements or instructions must be communicated, that is, when more than a single measurement or a single trigger signal must be communicated. For the transmission of complex data, it is often desirable to communicate encoded digital signals.
One approach that has been widely considered for well communication is the use of a direct wire connection between the surface and the downhole location(s). Communication, then, can be done through an electrical signal over the wire. Although a lot of effort has been spent on "wireless" communication, 1 its inherent high rate of telemetry is not always necessary and its power needs cannot always be met in a viable way.
Wireless communication systems were also developed for the purpose of data communication between a downhole tool and the surface of the well. These techniques include, for example, downhole communication commands via (1) electromagnetic waves; (2) pressure or fluid pulses; and (3) acoustic communication.
Conventional sonic sources and sensors used in downhole tools are described in US Patents 6,466,513, 5,852,587, 5,886,303,5,796,677, 5,469,736, 6,084,826, 6,466,513, 7,339 494, and 7,460,435.
It is useful for wireless modems to know a lot of data 10 about other wireless modems so that these wireless modems can communicate efficiently. For example, knowledge of the nearest neighbor i in a test pipe string is useful for being energy efficient and for finding the shortest path between the surface and downhole tools with fewer hops. In fact, network stabilization is faster and easier. In the past, wireless modems were programmed or otherwise adapted to communicate with: a known neighboring wireless modem before such wireless modems were installed in a test pipe column. However, a potentially major problem can arise when a wireless modem network is programmed to communicate with a known neighboring wireless modem, and where engineers ! field workers assemble the tool column with the wireless modem network in an improper order/arrangement. In such a situation, a communication signal could be lost between hops, preventing the transmission of control and data signals between the surface and the downhole location. As such, there is a need for a new and improved method for finding the identity, position or relative order of wireless modems within a wireless modem network coupled with a communication channel such as a test column/drill/pipe. With this network discovery algorithm, a Pampo engineer does not have to rely on a perfect placement order for each wireless modem as wireless modems will know the identity of their nearest neighbors1 and thus secure a network of reliable communication.
In network industries operating above the Earth's surface, flooding algorithms are used to discover neighboring wireless modems. Flooding algorithms work very well, however they are known to require many message exchanges, making flooding algorithms impractical in a downhole environment where power consumption is important and data rates i are much slower.
Algorithms for determining a bit rate and/or an acoustic communication frequency; between two wireless modems have been proposed. See, for example, PCT international publication WO 2010/069633.
However, despite the efforts of the prior art, there is a need for a wireless modem that can determine a communication path between two or more wireless modems in a networked communication system in a way that is suitable for use in a downhole environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION
In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless modem network over a communication channel including a transceiver assembly, transceiver electronics, and a power source. Transceiver electronics include transmitter electronics, receiver electronics, and at least one processing unit. Transmitter electronics cause the transceiver assembly to send wireless signals, such as acoustic signals, to the communication channel. The communication channel can be a column; of drilling. Receiver electronics decode signals received by the transceiver assembly. The at least one processing unit executes instructions to (1) allow the transmitter electronics to transmit the wireless signals for the communication channel to at least two wireless modems in a first direction away from the transceiver assembly, (2) receive a signal from at least one of the wireless modems, (3) assign a quality parameter to the signals received from the other wireless modems, and (4) select one of the wireless modems to communicate based on an examination of the quality parameters i with at least one predetermined criterion. The power source supplies power to the transceiver assembly and the transceiver electronics.
The wireless signals sent to the communication channel may include a variable signal frequency and a variable signal bit rate cooperating to define a transmission pair for the wireless signals.
In another aspect, the at least one processing unit executes instructions to additionally (5) allow the transmitter and receiver electronics to later communicate with the selected wireless modem.
The selected wireless modem can be characterized as at least a two-hop modem, such as a three-hop modem or a four-hop modem.
In yet another aspect, the at least one processing unit may allow transmitter electronics and receiver electronics to communicate with the selected wireless modem of a transmission pair based on the quality parameter assigned to the signal received from the wireless modem. selected wire.
In another aspect, one of the wireless modems may be a first wireless modem, and another of the wireless modems may be a second wireless modem, and wherein the at least one processing unit executes instructions to allow the receiver electronics to receive the signal from the first wireless modem in a first predetermined time slot and receive the signal from the second wireless modem in a second predetermined time slot such that the signals are received at different times.
In yet another aspect, one of the wireless modems is a first wireless modem, and another of the wireless modems is a second wireless modem, and wherein at least one processing unit executes instructions to allow the receiver receives serials from the first and second wireless modems over variable time slots.
In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for determining a path for communicating with the wireless modem in a downhole environment, comprising the steps of: coupling a plurality of wireless modems to an elongate element extending from the inside from a pit to a surface location; and allowing a first wireless modem to transmit a series of signals having different transmission characteristics to at least two other wireless modems in a first direction from the first wireless modem via the elongated element, receiving a series of signals from other modems at least one of the different transmission characteristics, assigning a quality parameter to signals received from other wireless modems having different transmission characteristics, and determining which of the other wireless modems to communicate with the base an examination of the quality parameters assigned to signals received from other wireless modems with at least one predetermined criterion. The elongate element may be a perfuming column, and the signals may be acoustic signals.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure for preparing a wireless modem, steps of: connecting a set of transceiver electronics to transmitter electronics, receiver electronics, and at least one suitable processing unit to make the set transceiver transmit and receive wireless signals; and storing a path optimization algorithm of one or more non-transient machine readable media accessible by at least one processing unit of the transceiver electronics with the path optimization algorithm having instructions which when executed by at least one processing unit do ' with at least one processing unit (1) enabling the transmitter electronics to transmit a wireless signal on a communication channel to at least two modems in a first direction away from the transceiver assembly, (2) receiving a signal from at least one of the wireless modems, (3) assign a quality parameter to the signals received from the other wireless modems, and (4) select one of the wireless modems to communicate based on an examination of the parameters of quality with at least one predetermined criterion.
These together with other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention, together with the various novelty features, which characterize the invention, are pointed out in particular in the appended claims and form part of this disclosure.
The above aspects and advantages are neither exhaustive nor individually or collectively critical to the spirit or practice of the invention. Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description in combination with the accompanying drawings, illustrating, by way of example, the principles of the invention. Consequently, the drawings and description should be considered 15 illustrative in nature and not restrictive. j BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Implementations of the invention can be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. T'al description makes reference to the pictorial illustrations, schemes, graphs, drawings, and attached appendices. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a wireless telemetry system for use with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial block diagram of an exemplary wireless modem constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figures 3a and 3b are logical flow diagrams of a method for discovering a wireless modem network in a downhole environment, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; i
Figures 4a and 4b are logic flow diagrams of an alternative method for discovering a wireless modem network in a downhole environment, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
Figures 5a and 5b are time diagrams of versions of the interaction of various wireless modems, according to the methods described in Figures 4a-l and 4b.
Figure 6 is a logic flow diagram of a method for determining a communication path for wireless communication modems in a downhole environment, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a trace route table showing the communication sequence between wireless modems in the downhole environment, according to the method shown in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a table showing the results of signals received using the method shown in Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a logic flow diagram of an alternative method for determining a communication path for downhole environment modem communication, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a logic flow diagram of another alternative method for determining a communication path for wireless modem communication in a downhole environment, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Numerous applications of the present invention are described, and in the description that follows, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that implementations of the invention can be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, while particularly described with reference to data transmission between a downhole site and the surface during test facilities, aspects of the invention are not thus limited. For example, some implementations of the invention are applicable to transmitting data from the surface during drilling in particular measuring while drilling (MWD) measurements. In addition, certain aspects of the invention are applicable throughout the life of a wellbore, including, but not limited to, during drilling, logging, drilling tool testing, fracturing, stimulation, completion, cementing and production.
In particular, however, the present invention is applicable to test facilities such as those used in oil and gas wells or the like. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of one. installation of this type. Once the well has been drilled, the drilling apparatus is removed from the well, and tests can be performed to determine the formation properties through which the well was drilled. In the example of Figure 1, well 10 was drilled and lined with a steel casing 12 (lined hole) in a conventional manner, although similar systems can be used in unlined (open hole) environments. In order to test the formations, it is necessary to place the test apparatus in the well very close to the regions to be tested, to be able to isolate sections or gaps of the well, and to transmit fluids from the regions of interest to the surface. This is commonly done using an elastic means 13, such as a drill pipe 14, such as an articulated tubular drill pipe, which extends from the wellhead rig 16 on its surface (or seabed, in submarines) down inside shaft 10 to a zone of interest. Although elastic means 13 is described herein in relation to drill pipe 14, it should be understood that elastic means 13 may have other shapes in accordance with the present invention, such as production piping, a drill string, a tubular casing , or the like. The head and well equipment 16 may include blast arrestors and connections for fluid, power and data communication.
A packer 18 is positioned over the drill pipe 14, and can be driven to seal the well around the drill pipe 14 in the region of interest. Various pieces of downhole equipment 20 for testing and the like are connected to drill pipe 14 above or below packer 18, such as a sampler 22, or a tester valve 24. Downhole equipment 20 may also be referred to here as a "downhole tool". Other examples of downhole equipment 20 may include: Additional Packers Circulation Valves ! Downhole Throttles Firing Heads TCP Cannon Drop Subs (Pipe Carried Drill) Pressure Gauges Downhole Flow Meters Downhole Fluid Analyzers: Downhole Etc.
As shown in Figure 1, sampler 22 and tester valve 24 are located above packer 18.
In order to support signal transmission along the drill pipe 14 between the downhole location and the surface, a series of wireless modems; 25MI-2 25Mj.-i, 25M, 25Mi+i, etc. can be positioned along drill pipe 14 and mounted to drill pipe 14 by any suitable technology such as 28a, 28b, 28c gauge conveyors , 28d, etc. to form a telemetry system 26. Downhole equipment 20 is shown to be connected to modem 25Mi+i positioned between sampler 22 and tester valve 24. j Wireless modems 25MI-2 25MI-I , 25M, 25Mi+1 can be of various types and communicate with each other via at least one communication channel 29 using one or more of several protocols. For example, the 25MI-2 25MI-1Z 25M, 25Mi+i wireless modems can be acoustic modems, that is, electromechanical devices adapted to carry one type of energy or physical attribute to another, and can also transmit and receive, allowing, thus, the electrical signals received from the downhole equipment 20 are converted into acoustic signals for transmission to the surface, or for transmission to other locations of the drill pipe 14. In this example, the communication channel 29 is formed by elastic means 13 and/or perforation tube 14, although it should be understood that the communication channel 29 can have other shapes. In addition, the 25Mi+i wireless modem can operate to convert the surface acoustic tool control signals into electrical signals to operate the downhole equipment 20. The term "data" as used herein is intended to encompass the signals control, tool status, and any variation thereof whether transmitted via digital or analog signals. It should be noted that, instead of the drill pipe 14, other suitable tubular element(s) (e.g. elastic means 13) can be used as the communication channel 29, such as the production piping, and/or casing to carry the acoustic I signals.
Referring to Figure 2, 25MI.2, 25MI-I, 25M, 25Mi+1 wireless modems include transceiver electronics 30, including transmitter electronics 32 and receiver electronics 34. Wireless modems 25MI-2/! 25Mi-i, 25M, 25Mi+1 also include one or more wireless transceiver assemblies 37 (two shown by way of example). Transmitter electronics 32 and transceiver electronics 34 may also be located in a housing 36 and power is supplied via one or more batteries, such as a lithium battery 38. Other types of one or more power sources also can be used. The 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25M, 25Mi+1 wireless modems are similar in construction and function, except as discussed below. For the sake of brevity, building one of the 25 Mi+i wireless modems will be discussed below.
Transmitter electronics 32 is arranged to initially receive an electrical output signal from a sensor 42, for example from downhole equipment 20, provided from an electrical or electro/mechanical interface. These signals are typically digital signals, which may be provided with one or more processing unit 44, which modulate the signal in one of a number of known ways, such as FM, PSK, QPSK, QAM, and the like. The resulting modulated signal is amplified by either a linear or non-linear amplifier 46 and transmitted to one or more wireless transceiver assemblies 37 to generate a wireless, e.g. acoustic, signal in the drill pipe material 14.0 wireless transceiver assembly 37 will be described here, by way of example, as an acoustic type of transceiver assembly that converts electrical signals to acoustic signals and vice versa. However, it should be understood that the wireless transceiver assembly 37 may be incorporated in other ways, including an electromagnetic transceiver assembly, or a pressure type transmitter assembly using technologies such as mud pulse telemetry, pressure pulse or the like.
The acoustic signal passing along the drill pipe 14 as a longitudinal and/or flexural wave comprises a carrier signal, which optionally includes an applied modulation of the data received from the sensors 42. The acoustic signal typically has, but is not, limited to, a frequency in the range of 1 to 10 kHz, preferably in the range of 2 to 5 kHz, and is configured to transmit data at a rate of, but not limited to, about 1 bps to about 200 bp, 5 preferably from about 5 to about 100 bps, and more preferably from about 50 bps. Data rate is dependent on conditions such as noise level, carrier frequency, and distance between 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25M, 25Mi+i wireless modems. A preferred embodiment 10 of the present invention is directed to a combination of a short-hop acoustic telemetry system for transmitting data between a hub located above the main choke 18 and a plurality of downhole equipment, such as downhole valves and /or above said packer 18. Wireless modems: 25MI_2, 25MI_1Z 25M,25Mi+i can be configured as repeaters. Then the control and/or data signals can be transmitted from the hub to a surface module, either through a plurality of acoustic signal repeaters or through conversion to electromagnetic signals and transmission directly to the top. . The combination of short-hop acoustics with a plurality of repeaters and/or the use of electromagnetic waves allows for an improved data rate over existing systems. The telemetry system 26 can be designed to transmit data as high as 200 bps. There are other advantages of this system.
The receiver electronics 34 is arranged to receive the acoustic signal passing along the drill pipe 14 produced by the transmitter electronics 32 of another modem. Receiver electronics 34 are capable of converting the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic signal passing along the drill pipe 14 excites the transceiver assembly 37 so as to generate an electrical (voltage) output signal; however, it is contemplated that the acoustic signal may drive an accelerometer 50 or a set of additional transceivers 37 so as to generate an electrical output signal (voltage). This signal is essentially an analog signal that carries digital information. The analog signal is applied to a signal conditioner 52, which to filter/condition the analog signal to be digitized by an A/D (analog-to-digital) converter 54. The A/D converter 54 provides a digitized signal. , which can be applied to a processing unit 56. The processing unit 56 is preferably adapted to demodulate the digital signal in order to retrieve data provided by the sensor 42 connected to another modem, or provided by the surface. The type of signal processing depends on the modulation applied (ie, FM, PSK, QPSK, QAM, and the like).
The 25Mi+1 wireless modems can therefore operate to transmit the acoustic data signals from one or more sensors 42 in the downhole equipment 20 along the drill pipe 14. In this case, the electrical signals from the Downhole equipment 20 is applied to the transmitter electronics 32 (described above) which operate to generate the acoustic signal. Wireless modem 25Mi+i may also operate to receive acoustic control signals to be applied to downhole equipment 20. In this case, the acoustic signals are demodulated 10 by receiver electronics 34 (described above), which operate to generate the electrical control signal that can be applied to downhole equipment 20.
In order to support acoustic signal transmission along the drill pipe 14 one or more of the 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25M, 25Mi+i wireless modems 15 can be configured as a / repeater and positioned along the pipe drilling 14.
In the example described here, the wireless modems 25MI-2, 25MI-I, and 25M are configured as repeaters |and can operate to receive an acoustic signal generated in the drill pipe 14, 20 by an earlier wireless modem 25 and to amplify and retransmit the signal for further propagation along the drill pipe 14. The number and spacing of the 25MI-2, 25MI-I, and 25M repeater modems will depend on the particular installation selected, for example, or the distance that the 25th signal has to go through. A typical spacing between 25MI-2, 25MI-1Z 25M, 25Mi+1 modems is around 1000 feet, but can be much more or less in order to accommodate all possible test tool configurations. Acting as a repeater, the acoustic signal is received and processed by the receiver electronics 34 and the output signal is provided to the processing unit 56 of the transmitter electronics 32 and used to drive the transceiver assembly 37 in the manner described above. Thus, an acoustic signal can be passed between the surface and the downhole location in a series of short hops.
The role of a repeater modem, eg 25MI-2.25MI-I, and 25M, is to detect a signal; input, to decode it, interpret it and retransmit it later if necessary. In some implementations, the 25MI-2, 25MI-I, and 25M wireless modems do not decode the signal, but only amplify the signal (and noise). In this case, 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25M wireless modems are acting as a simple signal booster. However, this is not the preferred implementation selected for the wireless telemetry systems of the present invention.
The 25MI-2 25Mi_1, 25M wireless modems are positioned along the pipe/tube column 14. The 25MI-2 25MI.1Z 25M, 25Mi+i wireless modems will either continuously hear any incoming signal or can i occasionally.
Acoustic wireless signals, transmitting commands or messages, propagate in the transmission medium (the drill pipe 14) in an omni-directional manner, i.e. up and down. It is not necessary for the 25Mi+i wireless modem to know if the acoustic signal is coming from another 25Mi_2 25MI-I and/or 25M modem, above or below. The message direction is preferably incorporated into the message itself. Each message contains several network addresses: the address of transmitter electronics 32 (last and/or first transmitter) and the destination address of the modem, eg wireless modem 25Mi+i. Based on the addresses embedded in the messages, the 225MI-2, 25MI-I, and 25M wireless modems configured as repeaters will interpret the message and construct a new message with updated information about the transmitter electronics 32 and destination addresses. Messages being sent from the surface will generally be transmitted from the 25MI-2 Wireless Modem to the 25Mi-i Wireless Modem to the 25M Wireless Modem > to the 25Mi+i Wireless Modem slightly modified over time. path to add new network addresses.
Referring again to Figure 1, the 25MI-2 wireless modem is provided as part of the wellhead equipment 16, which provides a connection between the drill pipe 14, and a data cable or wireless connection 62 to a control system 64 that can receive data from downhole equipment 20 and provide control signals for its operation.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, the telemetry system 26 is used to provide communication between the surface and the downhole location. In another embodiment, acoustic telemetry can be used for communication between tools in multizone tests. In this case, two or more well zones are isolated by means of one or more Packers 18. Downhole test equipment 20 is located in each isolated zone and corresponding modems, such as the 25mi+i wireless modem, are supplied in each coating in the zone. Operation of wireless modems, 25MI-2, 25MI-1Z 25M, 25Mi+i allows downhole equipment 20 in each zone to communicate with each other as well as downhole equipment 20 in others zones, as well as allowing surface communication with control and data signals in the manner described above.
References in the specification to "a modality", "a modality", "an example of a modality", etc. indicate that the modalities described may include a particular feature, structure, or feature, but each modality may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or feature. Also, these phrases are not necessarily referring to the same modality. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or feature is described in connection with one embodiment, it is claimed that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or feature in connection with other embodiments either explicitly described or not.
Embodiments of the invention with respect to processing units 44 and 56, and control system 64 may be carried out using machine-executable instructions provided or stored on one or more machine-readable media. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism that provides, that is, stores and/or transmits, information accessible by the processing units 44 and 56 or another machine, such as the control system 64. The processing units 44 and 56 and the control system 64 includes one or more computers, network devices, fabrication tools, or the like, or any device with a set of one or more processors, 15 etc., or multiple devices that have one or more processors working together, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a machine-readable medium includes volatile and/or non-volatile media, for example, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk storage medium, optical storage medium, flash memory or similar. In 56 can as a central processing unit or the like.
Such instructions may be executable to cause a general or special purpose processor, multiple processors, or the like to perform the methods or processes of embodiments of the invention.
Wireless modems 25 may be programmed with a network discovery algorithm and/or a path optimization algorithm stored by one or more machine-readable media which, when executed by processing units 44 and/or 56, cause a of wireless modems 25 discover the identity, position and/or relative order of other wireless modems 25 that are capable of communicating with each other over communication channel 29, with the network discovery algorithm, and/or to select particular wireless modems 25 to communicate using algorithmic path optimization. The network discovery algorithm and/or the path optimization algorithm may be stored as one or more files, one or more instruction sections, in one or more databases as separate records, or the same records, or in any otherwise suitable form accessible by the processing unit(s) 44 and/or 56. NETWORK DISCOVERY ALGORITHM
Generally speaking, the processing unit 44 and/or the processing unit 56 of the wireless modems 25 execute instructions of the network discovery algorithm to (1) allow the transmitter electronics 32 to transmit an identification signal to the channel 29, (2) receiving data from at least one other wireless modem 25 by receiver electronics 34 indicative of (a) a unique identifier that identifies at least one other wireless modem 25, and (b) at least one measurement sensor 5 related to the depth or height of at least one other wireless modem 25 relative to the earth's surface, and (3) determining the position and/or relative order of at least one or more other wireless modems 25, using the indicative measurement data from the local sensor. More particularly, Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b illustrate two different versions of the network discovery algorithm to allow certain of the modems 25 to discover the identity, position and/or relative order of the modems 25 within the network of the telemetry system. 26.
Data indicative of at least one local sensor measurement can be provided in a variety of ways, such as information from the local sensor measurement, e.g. 50 degrees centigrade, information used to look up the local sensor measurement from a table or database, or the manner in which wireless modems communicate, such as a particular protocol or frequency or the use of a particular time slot, as discussed below with respect to Figures 4a and 4b.
Referring now to Figures 3a and 3b, these Figures cooperate to illustrate the logic of a version of the network discovery algorithm that operates within a wireless modem 25. Figure 3a illustrates a portion of the network discovery algorithm trying to discover the identity (for example, a network or an IP address), the position (for example, 1000 feet below the surface of the 5 Earth) and/or the relative order (for example, 2000 feet below the modem 25 transmitting the signal identification) of the other modems 25. Figure 3b illustrates a portion of the network discovery algorithm in which one of the other modems 25 is responding to a request (discussed herein as an identification signal) from the other modem 25.
As shown in Figure 3a, the network discovery algorithm starts as indicated by a block 100, and branches to a block 102 where the network discovery algorithm determines whether this particular modem 25 15 knows information, such as identity, position and/or 1 relative order of the other modems 25 within the network. Other modems 25 within the network may be referred to as "neighbors". If the wireless modem 25 already knows the identity, position, and/or relative order of the other modems 25, then the network discovery algorithm 20 branches to a block 104, thus either terminating the network discovery algorithm I or branching to the portion of the network discovery algorithm depicted in Figure 3b that is monitoring receiver electronics 34. Otherwise, the network discovery algorithm branches to a block 106, where the discovery algorithm network causes the processing unit 44 and/or 56 to transmit the identification signal to the communication channel 29. The identification signal includes at least a network address or other type of identification information to identify the modem 25, transmitting the identification signal so that the other modems 25 can respond to the correct modem 25. The identification signal may include other information, such as one or more provided local sensor measurements or details. ected by sensor 42, for example. Once the identification signal has been transmitted to the communication channel 29, the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 108, where the network discovery algorithm monitors the receiver electronics 34 to determine if any responses have been received. from other 25 wireless modems within the network. If no response is received (or all responses are received), then the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 109, where the network discovery algorithm determines whether to attempt to locate any information with respect to the other modems 25. If the network discovery algorithm determines to send another identification signal, then the network discovery algorithm branches to block 100, and if not, the network discovery algorithm branches to a block 110 thus either terminating the network discovery algorithm network or branching off to the portion of the network discovery algorithm shown in Figure 3b that is monitoring receiver electronics 34. The network discovery algorithm can determine whether to continue requesting more information from other modems 25, using either mode. appropriate, such as a fixed number of requests, number of dynamic requests, or the like.
If the network discovery algorithm determines that any responses have been received at step 108, then that network discovery algorithm branches to a step 112, where the network discovery algorithm compares its own local sensor measurement with data indicative of a network discovery algorithm. measurement received from another of the wireless modems 25, and then the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 114 where it determines the identification, position, and/or relative order of the wireless modems 25 that responded. The network discovery algorithm may determine the identification, position and/or relative order in any suitable manner, however, it is specifically contemplated that the measurements from the local sensors taken by the particular wireless modems 25 are correlated with the depth of the wireless modems. 25. This correlation will be described in more detail below.
When a particular wireless modem 25 transmits the identification signal as discussed above in step 106, such identification signal can be received and decoded by the other wireless modems 25 within the network. As shown in Figure 3b, the network discovery algorithm performed by wireless modems 25 causes wireless modems 25 to monitor receiver electronics 34 and wait to receive an identifying signal from another of wireless modems 25, such as indicated by step 120. Once the network discovery algorithm receives the identification signal using receiver electronics 34, the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 122, where the network discovery algorithm allows the unit to 44 and/or 56 create a response that includes the local sensor measurement related to its depth into the wellbore or altitude above the wellbore. The network discovery algorithm then branches to step 124 where the network discovery algorithm causes the processing unit 44 and/or 56 to allow the transmitter electronics 32 to transmit the response, preferably in a slot. of random time.
The particular wireless modem 25 that transmitted the identification signal in step 106 then receives the response and processes that response as discussed above in connection with steps 108, 112, and 114 to determine information about its neighbors. After the wireless modem 25 transmits its response in a random time slot, for example, as indicated by steps 124, such a network discovery algorithm branches to a step 126, where the network discovery algorithm waits to receive an additional identification message.
With reference to Figures 4a and 4b, shown therein is another version of the network discovery algorithm in which Figure 4a shows the network discovery algorithm from the point of view of the modem 25 that is trying to discover the identity, position and /or relative order of the other wireless modems 25 within the network, while Figure 4b illustrates the network discovery algorithm from the point of view of the other wireless modems 25 being discovered
As shown in Figure 4a, the network discovery algorithm begins as indicated by a step 130 and then branches to a step 132 which is similar to the step 102 discussed above, where the particular wireless modem 25 determines whether it knows the identity, position, and/or relative order of other wireless modems 25 within the network. If so, then the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 134, and if not, the network discovery algorithm branches to step 136, where such a network discovery algorithm allows the transmitter electronics 32 transmits the identification signal to the communication channel 29 with the identification signal including an identification, such as a network address, of the wireless modem 25, and the measurement of the local sensor of the wireless modem 25 derived using the sensor 42 , for example. The network discovery algorithm branches to a step 138, which is similar to step 108 discussed above. At step 138, the network discovery algorithm monitors receiver electronics 34 to see if any response(s) have been received, and if so, the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 140 to determine in which time slot the answer was transmitted inside. The network discovery algorithm then branches to a step 142 and determines the position and/or relative order of the wireless modem 25, based on the time slot, for example, in which the response was received. If no other response was received at step 138, the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 144 to see if it should transmit its identification signal again and, if so, branches to block 130, and if not , branches to block 146.
Referring now to Figure 4b, shown therein is a portion of the network discovery algorithm, which can be executed by the processing unit 44 and/or 56 of the wireless modems 25 and functions to provide responses to the transmitted identification signal. by the particular wireless modem 25 trying to discover the identity, title and/or relative order of the other wireless modems 25 within the network. As shown in Figure 412 , the network discovery algorithm branches to a step 150, where receiver electronics 34 wait to receive an identification signal containing a local sensor measurement from another wireless modem 25. If so, the discovery algorithm stops step 150 to wait to receive another identification signal.
Figure 5a is a timing diagram 160 of a version of the network discovery algorithm illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. In particular, Figure 5a represents the timing of the interaction of five wireless modems 25 that communicate on communication channel 29. In the example depicted in Figure 5, a wireless modem 25M (shown as Mi) transmits the identification signal, as shown by reference numeral 162 and described in step 136 of Figure 4a. The identification signal is received by the 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25Mi+i and 25Mi+2 wireless modems. As shown in Figure 5, the 25MI-2, 25MI-X, 25Mi+i and 25Mi+2 wireless modems; receive the identification signal, compare the local sensor measurement in the identification signal with their own measurement from the local sensor and respond to the identification signal based on predetermined time slots, for example. In the example depicted in Figure 5, the 25Mi+i and 25MI+2 wireless modems that have a greater depth than the 25M wireless modem respond in odd-numbered time slots T± and T3 based on their relative position with respect to a 25M wireless modem. Likewise, wireless modems, 25MI-2 and 25Mi-i that have a depth less than the depth of the 25M wireless modem respond in T2 and T4 even time slots based on their relative position with respect to a modem. wireless 25M. The 25Mi+I wireless modem responds in a first Tiz time slot, the 25Mi-i wireless modem responds in a second T2 time slot, the 25MI+2 wireless modem responds in a third T3 time slot, and the modem 25MI-2 wireless responds in a fourth time slot 5 T4. The 25M wireless modem receives and stores responses, including identifying information for the other 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25Mi+1 and 25MIV2 wireless modems within the network along with their position and/or relative order, and then then transmits directly to the 25Mi+2 wireless modem (as indicated by the reference number 164), using the identifying information received in the 25Mi+2 wireless modem's response.
In this example, the 25MI-2, 25MI-I,25Mi+and 25MI+2 wireless modems can be placed along the drill pipe 14 separated by a space of 1000m. The local sensor measurement can be temperature or pressure, since it is known that the relationship between depth and pressure, for example, is:
where piama is the density of the mud in the ring, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and di is the distance measured from the surface. It can be assumed that the surface temperature is 25°C and the temperature gradient in the tube is 25°C/km
For example, assuming p iama = 1.5 - p water and g = 10ms'2

If each wireless modem 25 exchanges its local sensor measurement with its neighbors, the other positions and/or relative order of the modems 25 to the wireless modems 25 can be determined using a correlation similar to the one shown above. The term local sensor measurement, as used herein, refers to a measurement of an environmental condition associated with a particular wireless modem 25 which is sufficiently accurate to distinguish the particular wireless modem measurement from other measurements. of wireless modems 25. Sensor 42 may be part of downhole equipment 20 or part of wireless modem 25. Measurements from the local sensor may be taken in a well or any other suitable locations associated with wireless modems 25 Examples of local sensor measurements include a temperature measurement, a pressure measurement, a gravitational acceleration measurement, a magnetic field measurement, a dip angle measurement, and combinations thereof.
Referring now to Figure 5b, shown therein is an alternative version of the interaction of various wireless modems, 25Mi, 25Mi+1, 25Mi+2 and 25Mi+3 according to the methods described in Figures 4a and 4b. In this version, at step 154 (shown in Figure 4b) the wireless modems 25 determine whether a is to create a response as follows. In step 152, the wireless modems 25 receive an identification signal and compare their own local sensor measurement to the local sensor measurement in the identification signal. Then, in step 154, the wireless modems 25 generate a response if (1) such wireless modems 25 are at a deeper depth than the modem that transmitted the identification signal, and (2.) are within two modem hops 25 that transmitted the identification signal. Thus, as shown in Figure 5b, the 25Mi modem transmits an identification signal, including its local sensor measurement, as indicated by step 200, and the 25Mi+i and 25MI+2 wireless modems create the response such as indicated by steps 202 and 204 while 25Mi+3 wireless modem. do not. Discovery is continued as indicated by step 205 by the next deeper wireless modem 25Mi+i, transmitting an identification signal, as indicated 20 by step 206 and the wireless modems 25MI+2 and 2 5Mi+3 creating a response, as indicated by steps 208 and 210. This process is repeated, as indicated by step 212 until a 25Mi+3 deeper wireless modem transmits an identification signal, but a response is not received.
At this point, all wireless modems 25 know the identification, position and/or order of the two or more wireless modems 25 for communication. PATH OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM
Turning now to a different aspect of the present disclosure, a path optimization algorithm (or method) and a wireless modem adapted to implement said algorithm are disclosed. Since wireless modems 25 in a downhole environment have been discovered, for example, using the methods described above, or other network discovery methods known in the art, the present disclosure relates to a network optimization algorithm. wireless path and modems adapted to implement said algorithm, wherein a communication path for communicating from the downhole surface is determined based on a or more predetermined criteria, such as transmission speed, latency, time consumption, processing speed or similar. In particular, variations of the path optimization algorithm are disclosed which are discussed below under the following notations: a complete optimization algorithm, a fast optimization algorithm, and a fast-complete optimization algorithm.
Once the drill pipe 14, having the wireless modems 25 adapted to communicate on the communication channel 29 and knowing each other's relative position 25 (being pre-programmed with the relative positions of the wireless modems 25, or discovering the same that use the network discovery algorithm discussed above) has been placed in the downhole of the well 10, it is desirable to determine the optimal communication path between the surface and downhole via the wireless modems 25. In one aspect, the path optimization determines the optimal communication path in order to reduce the latency of the telemetry system 26. Latency generally refers to the time required to make a downhole request and receive a response at the surface, or vice versa. As is understood, it is desirable to keep the latency of the telemetry system 26 as small or short as possible.
Path optimization criteria include, but are not limited to, communication speed as well as the number of communication hops between the surface and downhole. Communication speed is normally measured in bits per second (bps), and it is generally desired to communicate between the surface and downhole b as fast as possible. Another criterion is the number of hops between the surface and the downhole, i.e. the number of wireless modems that have to communicate with each other in order to pass information from the surface to a downhole tool. well, and vice versa. It is generally preferred to minimize the number of hops between the surface and bottom of the well, in order to reduce latency and thus increase the speed of communication. For example, it is desired to jump or jump as many wireless modems as possible between the surface and the bottom of the well. In certain circumstances, it may be desirable for the 25Mi wireless modem to communicate directly with the 25Mi+2 wireless modem instead of communicating with the 25Mi+i wireless modem.
As is understood in the art and discussed above, a wide variety of criteria can influence the communication channel 29. The path optimization algorithm disclosed today generally tests the communication capabilities between at least one-and-a-half wireless modems 25. two hops in order to determine the optimal communication path between the modems, however, wireless modems 25 that are more than two hops in distance may also be tested and selected in accordance with the present disclosure.
Returning again to Figure 2, there is shown a wireless modem adapted to implement the path optimization algorithm according to the present invention. As discussed above, wireless modems 25 (25Mi+i being shown in Figure 2) include transceiver electronics 30, including transmitter electronics 32 and receiver electronics 34. Wireless modems 25 also include one or more sets of wireless transceivers 37 (two shown by way of example). Transmitter electronics 32 and transceiver electronics 34 may also be located in a housing 36 and power is supplied via one or more batteries, such as a lithium battery 38. Other types of one or more may also be used. energy sources. The 25MI-2, 25MI-I, 25M, 25Mi+1 wireless modems may be of similar construction and function. Generally, transceiver electronics 30, including transmitter electronics 32 and transceiver electronics 34, operate as described above. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, transceiver electronics 30, including transmitter electronics 32 and transceiver electronics 34, are adapted to vary the parameters of wireless signals sent to communication channel 29. For example, the transceiver electronics 30 can vary the frequency, bit rate, timing, amplitude, and the like, of the wireless signal being sent to the communication channel 29. Two or more variable parameters of wireless signals generally define the transmission pair for the wireless signals.
As also discussed above, transmitter electronics 32 and receiver electronics 34 include processing units 44 and 56, respectively. Embodiments with respect to processing units 44 and 56 may utilize machine-executable instructions provided or stored on one or more non-transient machine-readable media (which is referred to herein as a "machine-readable medium"). A machine-readable medium includes a mechanism that provides, that is, stores and/or transmits, information accessible by processing units 44 and 56 or another machine, such as control system 64. Processing units 44 and 56 and the control system 64 includes one or more computers, network device, production tool, or the like, or any device with a set of one or more processors, etc., or multiple devices that have one or more processors working together, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a machine-readable medium includes volatile and/or non-volatile media, e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk storage medium, optical storage medium, memory devices flash or similar.
In one embodiment, processing units 44 and 56 may be implemented as a single processor, such as a microcontroller, digital signal processor, central processing unit, or the like.
The wireless modems 25 may be programmed with the path optimization algorithm stored by one or more machine-readable means which, when executed by the processing units 44 and/or 56, cause one of the wireless modems 25 to determine a communication, such as an optimal path, for communication between wireless modems 25 over communication channel 29. The path optimization algorithm can be stored as one or more files, one or more instruction sections, in one or more databases as separate records or the same records, or any other suitable form accessible by the processing unit(s) 44 and/or 56.
Generally speaking, the processing unit 44 and/or the processing unit 56 of the wireless modems 25 execute instructions of the path optimization algorithm to (1) allow the transmitter electronics 32 to transmit the wireless signals to the wireless channel. communication 29, to at least two modems 25 in a first direction (e.g., up or down) away from the transceiver assembly 37, (2) receive a signal from at least one of the modems 25, (3) assigning a quality parameter to signals received from other wireless modems 25, and (4) selecting one of the wireless modems 25 to communicate with based on the quality parameter. More particularly, Figures 6-10 illustrate three different versions of the path optimization algorithm to allow certain of the modems 25 to determine a communication path of the modems 25 within the network of the telemetry system 26.
As will be discussed below, processing units 44 and 56 of wireless modems 25 preferably execute path optimization algorithm instructions to vary the signal parameters of the wireless signal being sent to communication channel 29. In an example , processing units 44 and 56 of the signal frequency, signal bit rate, signal timing, signal strength, and the like, of the wireless signal being transmitted to the communication channel 29.
The plurality of wireless modems 25 may include a unique identification number that identifies each, or at least a portion of, the wireless modems 25 that form the telemetry system 26. In addition, the wireless modem 25 may be programmed or, otherwise, know its position on the drill pipe 14, and also the relative position of the other wireless modems 25. In other words, the 25Mi wireless modem knows that it is positioned between the 25Mi+1 and 25Mi- modem! , that is, that said modems are 'one hop' from the 25Mi modem. Furthermore, the 25Mi wireless modem also knows that the 25Mi+2 modem is positioned two hops away, in a first direction, for example.
In addition, the wireless modems 25 are programmed or otherwise know a common set of communication parameters for the wireless signals transmitted between the other wireless modems 25. For example, the wireless modems 25 of the telemetry system 26, may each include hardware, logic and/or instructions that identify a common set of transmission and reception characteristics of wireless signals. The term "transmission characteristic" or "transmission characteristics" as used herein generally refers to a signal parameter, or a combination of signal parameters that form the wireless signals to be transmitted and received between wireless modems. 25. In the examples described herein two transmission characteristics are varied, and are referred to herein as a transmission pair In one example, a transmission pair may refer to the wireless signal having a first frequency and a first bit rate. Together, the first frequency and the first bit rate define a first transmission pairb for the wireless signal In another example, the wireless modem 25 may change the wireless signal to a second frequency and/or a second bit rate. to define a second pair of transmissions for the wireless signal.
By way of example, in one embodiment, the wireless modem 25 is adapted to have six pairs! transmission, wherein the path optimization algorithm may include logic and/or instructions to cause the transmitter electronics 32 to transmit the wireless signals to the communication channel 29 on each of the six transmission pairs formed by the combination of three different frequencies (a first frequency, a second frequency, and a third frequency) and two different bit rates (a first bit rate and a second bit rate). In one embodiment, the first, second and third frequencies are combined with the first bit rate to define a first, second and third transmission pair. The first, second, and third frequencies can then be combined with the second bit rate to define a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth transmission pair. In one aspect, the first bitrate may be higher than the second bitratej. Although in example 5 above, six transmission pairs are provided, it should be understood that a wide variety of signal parameter(s) can be changed and matched to (set a different I number of wireless signal transmission characteristics.
Turning now to Figure 6, there is shown a logic flow diagram of a first of the path optimization algorithm (also referred to as full optimization algorithm version) according to the present invention. The following description of the path optimization algorithm is discussed from the perspective of the 25Mi wireless modem and its communication with the 25Mi+i and 25Mi+2 modems.
Generally, however, the path optimization algorithm is performed with the interaction of a first modem, a second modem, and a third modem. The second modem, for example the 25Mi+1 modem, is preferably one hop away, in a first direction. The third modem, for example the 25MI+2 modem, is preferably two hops away in the first direction. The second modem may be referred to herein as a "one-hop modem", and the third modem may be referred to herein as a two-hop modem.
Once the first modem has completed the path optimization algorithm, a signal is transmitted to the second modem so that it can then run the path optimization algorithm. This process is repeated until each, or at least a portion of the modems 25 form the telemetry system 26 having determined the best way to communicate with each other and; two other modems closer. ;
The process generally begins at step 300. At step 300, the initialization parameters are determined by the modems 25 that form the telemetry system 26. For example, the wireless modems 25 learn, or are otherwise programmed with (1) its own identification number, (2) its relative location on the drill pipe 14 and the relative position of other wireless modems 25, and (3) the wireless signal parameters, e.g., first, second and third frequencies (fl , f2, and f3) and first and second bit rates (braita θ brlow) to define the transmission pairs. As discussed above, the combination of the frequency parameters and the bit rate parameter define the transmission pair for the wireless signals. Additionally, the 25Mi wireless mbdem ships with the network path optimization signal which generally identifies the 25Mi modem as the test modem.
In step 302, the 25Mi wireless modem transmits a wireless signal having a first pair of downhole transmissions (e.g. fx frequency and braita bitrate), i.e. for the 25Mi+ and 25Mi+ wireless modems two. The 25Mi wireless modem then listens for a response from the 25Mi+1 modem in step 304. That is, if a 25Mi+1 wireless modem receives the transmission from the 25Miz modem, the 25Mi+i wireless modem responds 5 by transmitting a signal wireless on the same transmission pair for the 25Mi modem. If the 25Mi+1 modem does not receive the transmission from the 25Miz modem, the 25Mi+1 wireless modem could not then respond with a transmission to the 25Mi modem. This is shown in step 306 where if the 25Mi wireless modem receives a response from the 25Mi+i modem, the 25M1 wireless modem proceeds to step 308 where the response is stored. In one aspect, in step 308, the modem 25Mi stores received response 25Mi+i, by assigning a quality parameter to the received signal and storing the quality parameter. More particularly, in one aspect, the 25Mi wireless modem "receives" response from the 25Mi+1 modem (or goes from the 25Mi+2 modem), when a response signal quality parameter is greater than a threshold or predetermined value.
Examples of received signal deterministic factors used to determine the quality parameter include, but are not limited to, a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), a signal-to-noise ratio -Interference-to-noise (SINR), measure of intersymbol interference, the level of distortion, combinations thereof, and the like, of the signal response.
If no response is received from the 25Mi+1 modem, the 25Mi modem skips to step 310 where the 25Mi modem listens for a response from the 25MI+2 modem. In one aspect, the 25Mi modem listens for a response at step 304 in a first time slot (or first window) and then listens for a response at step 310 in a second time slot (or second window). The use of predetermined time slots (or windows) for the 2 5Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems to respond to the transmit signal from the 25Mi modem helps to avoid conflicting responses in the 25Miz modem for example.
If the 25Mi+2 endless modem receives the transmission from the 25Mi modem, it responds by transmitting a wireless signal having the same transmission pair to the 25Mi modem. If the 25Mi+2 modem does not receive the transmission from the 25Mi modem, it cannot then respond with a transmission to the 25Mi modem. This is shown in step 312, where if the 25Mi wireless modem receives a response from the 25Mi+2 modem in the first pair of transmissions, it proceeds to step 314, where the response is stored. As in the process described above, the 25Mi modem stores the received 25Mi+2 response by assigning a received signal quality parameter, i.e. 25Mi wireless modem "receives" a 25MI+2 modem response when a signal quality parameter response is greater than a predetermined value or threshold.
If no response is received from the 25MI+2 modem, the 25M± modem jumps to step 316 where the 25Mi modem determines whether each of the transmit pairs has been tested. If each of the transmission pairs has not been tested between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+1 and 25MI+2 modems, the 25Mi modem changes the parameters of the wireless signal to define, thus, a second transmission pair and then transmits the wireless signal having the second transmission pair as shown in step 302. More particularly, in the full path optimization algorithm, the 25Mi modem transmits the wireless signal to each of the transmission pairs stored therein and, later, stores the quality parameter for each response received, if any. For example, the 25Mi modem first transmits the signal in step 302 having the first transmission pair (e.g. fT and braita). Then, once all responses from the 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems have been received and stored, the 25M± modem switches to the second transmission pair (e.g. f2 and braita) θ then retransmits the wireless signal having the second pair of transmissions for the 25Mi+i and 25Mi+2 modems. This process is repeated until each transmission pair is tested, and the responses stored. This is shown in Figure 6, at step 318, where if each transmission pair is not tested, the 25Mi modem changes at least one of the parameters of the wireless signals to thus define the second transmission pair, and then then returns to step 302 (see line 320) to repeat the process for the second pair of transmissions.
Referring to Figure 7, it shows an example of a table that stores the responses received by the 25Miz modem from the 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems. As can be seen, the path optimization algorithm stored in the 25Mi modem stores the response received from each of the 25Mi+i and 25Mi+2 modems for each of the transmission pairs stored and tested on it. The example table shown in Figure 7 reveals that for at least a portion of the tested transmission pairs, the 25Mi modem does not receive any response from other mod.ems, or at least no response satisfies the predetermined quality parameter and therefore does not assigns a quality parameter to the modem in the transmission pair. As the table also shows, the quality parameter is assigned and stored for each received signal, where the quality parameter is indicative of the ability of the wireless modem, in the transmission pair, to transmit and/or receive information for, and the from the 25Mi modem to the other modems.
Returning now to Figure 6, if each of the transmission pairs were tested between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+1 and 25MI+2 modems, the process proceeds to step 322, where the 25Mi modem compares the response quality parameter received from each modem for each transmission pair (for example, the table shown in Figure 7) with at least one predetermined criterion to determine the best transmission pair to assign as the primary communication between the 25Mi modem and 25Mi+ modems 1 and 25Mi+2. It should be understood that a variety of criteria may be considered to determine at least one predetermined criterion for an optimal communication path between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+i modem and also between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+2 modem. For example, the determination can be based on criteria such as the bit rate of the transmission pair and the relative locations of the 25Mi modem and 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems to increase the bit rate, reducing latency. The determination preferably gives a higher priority to transmission pairs which 15 can be used to pulse a modem 25 in order to reduce latency. Other criteria such as transmission time consumption, power consumption or processing consumption can also be used to determine the communication path.
In step 324, the 25Mt wireless modem transmits an acknowledgment message to the 25Mi+i modem on the optimal transmission pair determined for the modem, and also an acknowledgment message to the 25MI+2 modem on the optimal transmission pair assigned to this modem, in order to define the transmission pairs with the optimal communication protocol between these modems. In the example shown in Figure 7, the 25Mi modem can determine that the optimal communication transmission pair between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+i modem can be transmission pair 3 (for example, because transmission pair 4 has a 5 bit rate and pair 1 has a lower quality parameter), and that the optimal transmission pair between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+2 modem may be transmission pair 3. In this example, the 25Mi modem sends the acknowledgment signal to 25Mi+1 modem on transmission pair 3 and another acknowledgment signal 10 to 25Mi+2 modem on transmission pair 3.
At this point in the process, the 25Mi modem has enough information to determine the optimal communication path between itself and the modems; 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2. That is, the 25Mi modem can determine that the optimal communication path is between itself and the 25Mi+2 modem, to reduce latency by skipping the 25Mi+1 modem and communicating directly with the 25Mi+2 modem. The 25Mi modem also stores enough information to determine which transmission pair to communicate with.
Once the confirmation messages are sent in step 324, the process moves to step 326 where the 25Mi modem sends the signal to the 25Mi+i modem, which then sets the 25Mi+i modem as the path optimization determination. That is, the process discussed above and shown in Figure 6 is repeated from the perspective of the 25Mi+i modem to thus determine the optimal communication path and optimal transmission pair between it and the 25Mi+2 and 25MI modems. +3. This process preferably continues until each of the modems 25 that form the telemetry system 26 has established the optimal communication transmission pair between itself and the next two modems. Once each modem in the telemetry system 26 determines the optimal communication path and transmission pair, the last modem transmits a final message back to the surface indicating that all transmission optimal pairs between the modems have been determined. This is shown in Figure 6, at step 328, where the process ends when each of the transmission pairs has been tested for each of the modems 25 and the resulting information is provided to the surface.
Returning now to Figure 8, there is shown a table showing an example of a resulting trace route table generated using the above described process. The trace route table lists the optimal transmission pair between each wireless modem 25 and its two other closest wireless modems 25 in the first direction, for example, the trace route table lists the frequency rate and the transmission rate. bits used for k communication between modem 25 and its two closest other modems 25, even though modems 25 have selected one of the two other modems 25 to generally communicate in an effort to optimize the communication path, as discussed above. This information is stored in the event that a particular modem 25 needs to communicate with the neighboring modem 25 which has not been selected. For example, the 25Mi modem stores information related to 25Mi+i even though the 25Mi modem is going to communicate directly with the 25Mi+2 modem because the 25Mi+2 modem may have failed and it may be necessary for the 25Mi modem to communicate directly with the 25Mi+1 modem.
Turning now to a different aspect of the path optimization algorithm, a flow diagram illustrating a fast path optimization algorithm in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 9. The fast optimization algorithm is similar to the full optimization algorithm discussed above, except that not all transmission pairs are tested. Instead, the first 25Mi modem tests a first pair of transmissions, then if a response is received from both the 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems, the 25Mi modem stores the quality parameter for each communication path, selects the optimal communication path based on the stored quality parameter and then passes the signal to the 25Mi+i modem to continue the process. Generally, in the fast algorithm, the same process is repeated only until a response is received and stored from the other modems that meet the predetermined value. Once an acceptable quality parameter is stored for each modem, the process passes the signal to the next modem to repeat the process. The fast path optimization algorithm is generally faster to run, thus allowing the use of the faster telemetry system 26, but it also cannot test and identify the main optimal communication path to be used, i.e., only one transmission pair that meets the predetermined criteria is used.
Referring now to Figure 9, the fast path optimization algorithm starts at step 400, which is similar to step 300 described above. In this step, initialization information is stored on the 25Mi modem. In step 402, the 25Mi modem transmits the message wirelessly over the first pair of downhole transmissions to the 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems, that is, in the first direction. In step 404, the 25M± modem listens for a response on the first pair of transmissions from the 25Mi+1 modem. Similar to above, the 25M± modem can hear the response in a first time window. In step 406, the 25Mi modem determines whether a response has been received from the 25Mi+i modem. If a response is received, the quality parameter is stored for that transmission pair in step 408. If no response is received from the 25Mi+i modem, the process moves to step 410, where the 25Mi modem listens for a response. of the 25Mi+2 modem. Again, the 25Mi modem can listen for a second time window response. In step 412, the 25Mi modem determines whether a response has been received from the 25Mi+2 modem. If a response was received, the quality parameter for the modem in the transmission pair is stored in step 414. In step 416, the 25Mi modem determines if an acceptable quality parameter has been stored for the 25Mi+1 modem and if a quality has been stored for the 25Mi+2 modem. If not, the 25Mi modem changes the signal parameter to pass on to the second pair of transmissions and returns to step 402 to repeat the process on the second pair of transmissions. In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, signals having acceptable quality parameters were received from both the 25Mi+i and 25MI+2 modems with the first pair of transmissions. In this case, in step 416, modem 25M selects modem 25Mi+2 to communicate with the first transmission pair.
If an acceptable quality parameter has been stored for each of the 25ML+I and 25MI+2 modems in at least one pair of transmissions, the process moves to step 418, where the 25Mi modem sends the acknowledgment messages to the 2 5Mi+i and 25Mi+2 modems, in the saved transmission pair to define the communication parameter between said modems. That is, in the fast path optimization algorithm, the process is repeated until at least one quality parameter is stored for the communication path between the 25bh modem and the 25Mi+í modem and also a quality parameter is stored for the communication path between the 25Mi modem and the 25MI+2 modem.
In step 420, the 25Mi modem sends the signal to the 25Mi+i modem to change the optimization of the path determining the modem. Similar to the process discussed above, the fast path optimization algorithm continues for each modem 255 forming the telemetry system 26 until each modem has determined at least one quality parameter between itself and its two other closest modems. This is shown in Figure 9, at step 422, where the process ends and the last modem 25 transmits the final message to the 10 surface, as described above.
Moving now to another version of the path optimization algorithm, a complete fast path optimization algorithm is disclosed. The fast-complete optimization algorithm combines features of the full algorithm and the fast algorithm. Generally, once the 25Mi modem has received a response and stored a quality parameter for each of the 25Mi+i and 25MI+2 modems in a transmission pair having a high bit rate, the remaining transmission pairs are not tested and 20 the signal is transmitted. Fast full path optimization algorithm is generally more reliable than fast optimization algorithm but takes longer to run, and also not as reliable as full path optimization algorithm but takes 25 less time to run .
Referring now to Figure 10, the fast path optimization algorithm starts at step 500, which is similar to steps 300 and 400 described above. In this step, initialization information is stored on the 25Mi modem. In step 502, the 5Mi modem 2 transmits the wireless message in the first pair of downhole transmissions to the 25Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems, that is, in a first direction. In the fast-full-path optimization algorithm, the first pair of transmissions include a fast bit rate. In step 504, the 25Mi modem listens for a response on the first pair of transmissions from the 25Mi+i modem. Similar to the above, the 25Mi modem can listen for the response in a first time window. In step 506, the 25Mi modem determines whether a response has been received from the 25Mi+1 modem. If a response is received, the quality parameter is stored for that transmission pair in step 508. If no response is received from the 25Mi+i modem, the process moves to step 510, where the 25M± modem listens for a 25Mi+2 modem response. Again, the 25Mi modem can listen for the response in a second time window. In step 512, the 25Mi modem determines whether a response has been received from the 25Mi+2 modem. If a response is received, the quality parameter for the modem in the transmission pair is stored in step 514. In step 516, the 25Mi modem determines whether a quality parameter has been stored for modem 2 5Mi+1 in a transmission pair having a high bit rate, and if a quality parameter was stored for the 25MI+2 modem in a transmission pair having a high bit rate. If not, the 25Mi modem changes the signal parameter to pass for the second pair of transmissions, also having a high bit rate, and returns to step 502 to repeat the process for the second pair of transmissions (see step 518).
If a quality parameter has been stored for each of the 25Mi+i and 25Mi+2 modems in at least one transmission pair having a high bit rate, the process moves to step 520, where the 25Mj modem sends the messages confirmation for the 2 5Mi+1 and 25Mi+2 modems, in the saved transmission pair, in order to define the communication parameter between said modems. That is, in the fast-complete path optimization algorithm, the process repeats until at least one quality parameter is stored in a pair of transmissions having a high bit rate for the communication path between the 25Mi modem and the 25Mi+1 modem and also a quality parameter in a transmission pair having a high bit rate is stored for the communication path between the 5Mi 2 modem and the 25Mi+2 modem. In step 522, the 25M± modem sends the signal to the 25Mi+1 modem to thereby change the path optimization determination modem. Similar to the process discussed above, the fast-full path optimization algorithm continues for each modem 25 forming the telemetry system 26 until each modem has been determined to have at least one quality parameter in a pair of transmissions having a high bit rate between si and its two other closest modems 25. This is shown in Figure 10 at step 524, where the process ends and the last modem 25 transmits the final message to the surface, as described 5 above.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the above-described modems 25 and algorithms may be implemented in a telemetry system 26 using acoustic signals to communicate on the communication channel 29.

权利要求:
Claims (9)
[0001]
1. Wireless modem (25M) for communication in a wireless modem network (25Mi-1, 25M, 25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) in a wellbore environment through a communication channel (29), the wireless modem (25M) characterized in that it comprises: a transceiver assembly (37); transceiver electronics (30) comprising: transmitter electronics (32) adapted to cause the transceiver assembly (37) to send wireless signals defining two or more transmission pairs for the communication channel (29), wherein each transmission pair having different transmission characteristics comprising a combination of a signal frequency and a signal bit rate, said modem being adapted to selectively vary the transmission characteristics; receiver electronics (34) adapted to decode signals received by the transceiver assembly (37); at least one processing unit (44, 56) adapted to carry out instructions to: (1) allow the transmitter electronics (32) to transmit the wireless signals for the communication channel (29) to at least two wireless modems (25Mi +1, 25Mi+2) in a first direction away from the transceiver assembly (37), wherein one of the two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) is communicatively coupled intermediate to the transceiver assembly (37) and the other of the two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2), (2) determine a characteristic of signals received in the transceiver electronics (30) from the at least two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2 ) in response to transmitted wireless signals, the signals being received at different time intervals and having the same transmission characteristics as the respective transmitted transmission pairs, (3) assign a quality parameter to the signals received from the two modems wireless (25M i+1, 25Mi+2) based on a certain characteristic, and (4) determine whether or not the intermediate wireless modem can be skipped based on a comparison of the quality parameters assigned to the received signals with at least one predetermined criterion and selecting one of at least two wireless modems (25Mi+ 1.25Mi+2) to communicate directly based on the determination result; and a power source (38) supplying power to the transceiver assembly (37) and the transceiver electronics (30).
[0002]
2. Wireless modem, according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one processing unit (44) is adapted to additionally execute instructions (5) to allow the transmitter electronics (32) and electronics receiver (34) communicate with the selected wireless modem using the selected transmission characteristics.
[0003]
3. Wireless modem, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one other modem (25Mi+1) of the modem network is positioned between the wireless modem (25M) and the selected wireless modem (25Mi +2).
[0004]
4. Wireless modem, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one processing unit (44) is adapted to execute instructions to allow the receiver electronics (34) to receive signals from of at least two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) at variable time intervals.
[0005]
5. Wireless modem, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the modem is an acoustic modem.
[0006]
6. Wireless modem, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the particular characteristic used to assign quality parameters to received signals comprises one of a signal-to-noise ratio, a signal-to-noise-interference ratio , measure of intersymbolic interference, and the level of distortion or combinations thereof.
[0007]
7. Wireless modem, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modems of the wireless modem network are positioned along a perforation tube (14).
[0008]
8. Wireless modem, according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication channel (29) comprises the drill pipe (14).
[0009]
9. Method to determine a way to communicate using wireless modems (25Mi-1, 25M, 25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) in a downhole environment, characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: coupling a plurality of wireless modems (25Mi-1, 25M, 25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) to an elongated element (14, 29) extending from inside a wellbore to a surface location so that wireless modems are communicatively coupled in series; and allow a first wireless modem (25M): to transmit in a first direction a series of wireless signals, through the elongated element, the signals defining two or more transmission pairs, where each transmission pair has different transmission characteristics comprising a combination of a signal frequency and a signal bit rate, said first modem being adapted to selectively vary transmission characteristics; receiving signals from the at least two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) at different time intervals, said received signals having the same transmission characteristics as the respective transmitted transmission pairs; determine a quality of signals received from at least two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2); assigning respective quality parameters to the received signals based on the determined quality; determine whether or not a communication path can be established through the elongated member (14, 29) that skips at least one of the two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) based on a comparison of the assigned quality parameters with at least one predetermined criterion; and select which of at least two wireless modems (25Mi+1, 25Mi+2) to communicate directly with based on the result of the determination.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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BR112013025133A2|2021-06-29|

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MX2013011288A|2014-01-31|

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US20120249338A1|2012-10-04|

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AU2012235719B2|2015-10-22|

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WO2012131601A1|2012-10-04|

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US9686021B2|2017-06-20|

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EP2692075A1|2014-02-05|

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AU2012235719A1|2013-10-10|

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EP2692075B1|2019-07-24|

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法律状态:
2021-07-06| B15K| Others concerning applications: alteration of classification|Free format text: AS CLASSIFICACOES ANTERIORES ERAM: H04B 11/00 , E21B 47/00 , H04W 40/00 Ipc: E21B 47/13 (2012.01), E21B 47/16 (2006.01), H04W 4 |

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2021-07-06| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2021-10-26| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2022-01-11| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 28/03/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

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