HK1101430B - Method and system for transmission of seismic data - Google Patents

Description

Seismic data transmission method and system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to seismic data acquisition and more particularly to a data transmission method and system for communicating transmission data between a plurality of remote stations and data acquisition stations in an array using a linked relay system (relay system) that allows the transmission path to be altered.

Background

Seismic exploration generally utilizes a seismic energy source to generate acoustic signals that are transmitted into the earth and partially reflected by subsurface seismic reflectors (e.g., interfaces between subsurface lithologic or fluid layers having different elastic properties). The reflected signals are detected and recorded by a seismic unit having a receiver and geophone located at or near the earth's surface, thereby enabling a seismic survey of the subsurface. The recorded signals or seismic energy data are then processed to generate information related to the subsurface formations and to identify characteristics thereof, such as subsurface formation boundaries.

Typically, the seismic units or workstations are arranged in an array, wherein each of the array of workstations arranged in a line has at least one geophone attached thereto to record data from a seismic cross-section below the array. For data of a larger area and a three-dimensional representation of the formation, multiple lines of the workstation may be arranged side by side, thus forming a grid of receivers. Typically, workstations are remote or widely dispersed from their geophones. Taking a land seismic survey as an example, hundreds or thousands of geophones may be used in different spatial ways, such as a typical lattice structure in which each line of workstations extends 5000 meters, with workstations spaced 25 meters apart and successive workstation lines disposed 200 meters apart.

Various seismic data transmission systems are used to connect remote seismic acquisition units to a control station. Typically, the seismic stations are controlled from a central location that transmits control signals to the workstations and collects seismic and other data from the workstations. Alternatively, the workstation may transmit the data to an intermediate data acquisition station, such as a concentrator, where the data is recorded and stored until retrieved. In either case, the various workstations are typically connected to one another via data telemetry cables. Other systems use wireless methods to control and transmit data so that individual workstations are not connected to each other. Still other systems temporarily store data at each workstation until the data is extracted.

For wired workstations, typically geophones are connected in a series-parallel combination on a twisted pair of wires to form a single receiver group or workstation channel. During data acquisition, the output of each channel is digitized and recorded by the workstation for subsequent analysis. Further, the workstation is typically connected to a cable for communicating with a recorder, which is located at a control station or a centralized station, and transmitting the collected data to the recorder.

For wireless seismic units, each unit communicates with a central control station or concentrator via wireless transmission. The transmission is made directly between each seismic unit and the control station or directly between each seismic unit and the concentrator. The transmission is to some extent a high power, remote signal, such as between a seismic acquisition and a central control station, which transmission typically requires permission from local regulatory authorities. Units capable of such transmission also have higher power requirements and therefore require large battery packs. To the extent that the seismic acquisition units transmit data to the concentrator station using low power, short range signals, there is typically a bit line between the transmitting and receiving units.

U.S. patent No. 6,070,129, which teaches a method and apparatus for transmitting seismic data to a remote acquisition station, describes the prior art. More specifically, the acquisition unit with the attached geophones communicates with the central station directly through a radio channel or alternatively through an intermediate station. To the extent that a large number of acquisition units are utilized, this patent also teaches that each of a plurality of intermediate stations will be utilized, with each intermediate station being in communication with a portion of an acquisition unit. The intermediate station will act as a data concentrator and may be used to control the different tasks performed by the acquisition unit sets. Whether the data is transmitted directly between the acquisition units and the central station or between the acquisition units and the intermediate station, the transmission system accumulates the seismic data, distributes the data over a continuous transmission window and transmits the data intermittently in the continuous transmission to reduce variations in the seismic data stream.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,620 teaches a seismic data acquisition system using wireless remote sensing technology in which a large number of remote seismic acquisition units are grouped together to form a plurality of units (cells), and each acquisition unit within a unit communicates directly with a unit access node (i.e., concentrator), which in turn communicates with a central control unit. This patent teaches that to avoid overlap between transmitting seismic units within adjacent units, adjacent units communicate between each unit and its respective unit access node using different frequencies. In other words, adjacent cells operate at different frequencies, so that a particular acquisition unit can only transmit to the cell access node assigned to that cell.

One disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art seismic transmission system is that the failure of any one intermediate transmission station or unit access node will prevent communication with multiple seismic acquisition units. Furthermore, to the extent that individual cells are prevented from transmitting to their unit access nodes due to factors external to the cells, the joining and operation of cells within the array is lost. For example, a unit may lose wireless contact with an access node due to weak signals, weather conditions, terrain, interference from other electrical devices operating in the vicinity of the unit, perturbations in the unit's deployment location, or the presence of physical structures in the site wiring between the unit and the access node.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a communications system for a seismic survey array that has flexibility in transmitting signals and data with remote seismic units and control and/or data acquisition stations. The system should be capable of communicating between functional seismic units even if one or more intermediate stations are not operating properly. In addition, the system should be capable of communicating between functional seismic units even if environmental or physical condition changes inhibit or prevent direct communication between the remote units and their control stations.

Disclosure of Invention

The method according to the invention transmits wireless signals between individual seismic acquisition units in an array such that the signals are transmitted through the array of seismic units in a relay chain. A plurality of seismic acquisition units within the array are capable of transmitting transmissions to a plurality of other seismic units. More specifically, any one data acquisition unit in the array is capable of transmitting wireless signals to some other seismic acquisition unit that is within wireless range of the transmitting seismic acquisition unit. A network of wirelessly linked seismic acquisition units such as these allows seismic data to be transmitted to a control station to be changed as desired or needed. In other words, the transmission path used to transmit data from a single data acquisition unit in the array to the control station may be varied. That is, in transmission from the most remote seismic acquisition unit up the chain to the control station, each unit acquires data from the seismic units "down" the chain and transmits the acquired data and the data stored locally by the receiving unit up the chain. Preferably, it is reflected between the seismic acquisition units to be relayed by each unit in the array as a transmission up the chain. The particular transmission path, i.e., chain of elements, for any given transmission may vary between transmissions depending on overall system requirements. Control signals and the like may be transmitted to the lower side of the chain along the same or different transmission paths.

The strength of the transmitted signal may be varied to adjust the transmission range of the transmitting seismic unit so that a large number of potential receiving seismic acquisition units may be controlled. In one embodiment, each seismic acquisition unit is omni-directional in its transmission and is capable of linking to all units within 360 ° around the transmission unit. Alternatively, transmitting seismic units may use directional antennas, so that transmissions are only made at one or more seismic acquisition units in a limited or single direction or multiple limited ranges of transmission.

Preferably, the individual seismic acquisition units are wireless and do not require external cables for data transmission or unit control. Such units may include a battery, a short-range wireless transmitter/receiver, a local clock, limited local memory, a processor, and a geophone package. In one embodiment, each unit may include a short-range wireless transmission antenna cast or integrated into the unit housing. In another embodiment, each unit may contain an external spike used to couple the unit to ground and act as a conductive conduit through which the unit's batteries are recharged.

At least one and preferably a plurality of seismic acquisition units in the network are located in the vicinity of the control station so that the network can transmit seismic data to the control station all the way by short range radio frequency. In another embodiment of the invention, the control station is located remotely from the seismic units and one or more concentrators are located in the vicinity of the seismic acquisition units in the network, so that the network can use short range radio frequencies to transmit seismic data to the concentrators. The concentrator may in turn store the seismic data and/or transmit it to a control station as desired.

Such a concentrator may include a remote transmitter/receiver for communicating with a control station, a short-range transmitter/receiver for communicating with an address acquisition unit network, a mass memory for long-term storage of data collected from the network, a power supply, a local clock, and a processor. In one embodiment, the concentrator may communicate with the seismic control station via telemetry cables while communicating with the seismic acquisition network via short range transmission.

In a transmission network there are multiple transmission paths from the most remote transmission unit to the control station/concentrator. The particular transmission path used for any given transmission will be determined based on the signal strength between the communicating units, the operating conditions of the units, and the path efficiency (path efficiency).

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top view of a seismic acquisition array illustrating possible transmission paths between strings of seismic acquisition units in the array.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a seismic data transmission path utilizing a seismic acquisition unit.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a seismic acquisition unit of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a top anatomical view of the unit shown in fig. 2.

Detailed Description

In particular embodiments of the present invention, like numerals are used to indicate like parts. Various details of the device, such as fasteners, fittings, etc., are omitted to simplify the description. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that such conventional equipment may be used as desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, a seismic data transmission network 10 of the invention is shown. The transmission network 10 is comprised of a plurality of seismic acquisition units 12 dispersed in a seismic array 14 and controlled by a control station 16. The array 14 is made up of a plurality of lines 18 of acquisition units 12. Wireless transmissions, and in particular seismic data, are transmitted from seismic unit 12 to seismic unit 12 as the transmission reflections are transmitted through network 10 to control station 16. In one embodiment of the network 10, the concentrator 20 is disposed between the array 14 and the control station 16. Although the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to seismic data transmission, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention encompasses any form of transmission from a seismic unit, and does not encompass quality control data in any way.

Each acquisition unit 12 has an omni-directional transmission range 22 and may form a wireless link 23 with multiple acquisition units 12. As shown, there are a plurality of other units 12 within the transmission range 22 of the unit 12 that are capable of receiving transmissions, essentially forming a local area network that includes the acquisition unit 12. For example, unit 12a has an omni-directional transmission range 22 a. The seismic acquisition units 12b-12g fall within the transmission range 22a of the unit 12 a. Because of the flexibility of transmission to the plurality of acquisition units 12, each of the plurality of acquisition units 12 is capable of receiving and transmitting seismic data to other ones of the plurality of units 12 in the array 14, each unit 12 in the array 14 having a plurality of paths for transmitting seismic data to the control station 16. For example, unit 12' can transmit data to control station 16 by sending data along path 24, path 25, or other path as determined by the requirements of network 10.

In another embodiment, the transmitting seismic unit 12 may utilize directional wireless antennas or antenna arrays such that the transmissions are predominantly omni-directional and such that only one or more seismic acquisition units 12 are facing in a limited direction. It is common in the art to implement direct transmission and acquisition improvements using phased antenna arrays of two or more antennas. In these types of antenna arrangements, various adjustable antenna parameters, such as frequency, may be varied to directly control and thus obtain the transmission range. Thus, for purposes of this description, "unidirectional" means transmission with higher gain in the axial or defined direction, while "omni-directional" means transmission with generally the same gain over 360 °. This will maintain the flexibility of transmission to multiple units in the direction in which the transmit antennas are pointing, while at the same time reducing the number of path selections that need to be handled by the overall system and thus reducing the number of multipaths for simultaneous transmission at the same frequency without interfering with each other. Furthermore, high gain in a single or limited direction can be achieved without the need for additional power, or alternatively, the power requirements can be reduced, thus battery life is extended while ensuring the same gain as an omni-directional signal.

In the illustration of FIG. 1, array 14 is shown as being comprised of three seismic acquisition unit strings 18a, 18b, and 18 c. Each string 18a, 18b and 18c shows a different potential transmission path defined by a wireless link 23 between the units 12 in a string. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wireless link 23 is shown for illustrative purposes only and that for purposes of the present invention, the string 18 of seismic units for a particular path is defined by a selected transmission path through which to communicate with each other between the units 12. Thus, for any given array 14, the "string" of cells may be continuously changed between transmissions. Such an arrangement allows the transmission to be re-routed in the event of a failure of a cell 12 in the string. Similarly, transmissions may also be re-routed if signals between units 12 are weak or to overcome topographical or other obstacles that interfere with short-range point transmission lines. Furthermore, in addition to the failure of one cell, it is necessary to re-route the transmission only due to the operating state of the cell. For example, a unit with low battery power may be used downstream at the end of the string and avoided as a further up-stream transfer to protect the battery of the unit, i.e. the upstream transfer unit needs more power to transfer the transfer due to the cumulative size of the transfers.

If multiple adjacent strings are required, the assignment of wireless transmission parameters will minimize interference to other transmissions and allow the same transmission parameters to be reused. For example, string 18a may transmit data under a first set of wireless transmission parameters and string 18b may transmit data under a second set of parameters. Since the transmission from string 18 is a short range transmission, it may only be necessary to use different transmission parameters for adjacent strings. In this regard, the physical seismic unit layout defined as the portion of the array 14 of the string 18 may depend on the short range transmission capabilities of the seismic units 12 in the adjacent string. Non-adjacent strings utilizing the same string are sufficiently spaced to avoid interference. In other words, string 18b is defined such that its width is sufficient to ensure that transmissions from seismic units 12 in string 18a having a particular set of wireless transmission parameters are not acquired by any seismic unit 12 in string 18c, and that string 18c is configured to acquire transmissions using the same set of wireless transmission parameters. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many transmission parameters that can be adjusted in this regard, including non-limiting examples of frequencies, time slots, power, modulation methods, directional antenna gain, physical spacing between cells and strings, and so forth. Of course, interference between adjacent strings and individual units can be minimized by transmitting in discrete packets, which are sent by short transmission bursts.

Further, although three strings 18 are depicted to indicate possible transmission paths, the system 10 may include any number of strings. The number of strings for any given transmission group depends on the requirements of the system. For example, rather than multiple strings, each acquisition unit 12 in the array 14 may be utilized on a single transmission path, such that the entire array 14 may be considered a "string" for purposes of this description. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of transmission paths and the number of acquisition units used for any given transmission will remain on the fly to maximize the operational requirements of a particular transmission or group of transmissions.

In each case, the transmitted signal strength of the seismic unit 12 may be varied to adjust the transmission range of the transmitting seismic unit so that a plurality of potential receiving seismic acquisition units 12 may be controlled.

At least one and preferably a plurality of seismic acquisition units 12 in network 10 are located near control station 16 such that network 10 may utilize short range radio frequencies to transmit seismic data from seismic units 12 to control station 16. However, the large amount of data transmitted to the control station can be difficult to manage and typically requires high power, long-range transmission. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the data is accumulated and stored in a plurality of distributed concentrators located remotely from the control station 16. By accumulating seismic data in the concentrator 20, the need for wireless permits and other requirements associated with remote transmission is avoided. The concentrator 20 is located in the network 10 in the vicinity of the seismic acquisition units 12, so that the network 10 can use low power, short range wireless transmission to transmit data to the concentrator 20. The concentrator 20, in turn, may store the seismic data or transmit the seismic signals back to the control station 16 as expected. In one embodiment, the concentrator stores the data locally but transmits the quality control data from the acquisition units to the control station 16.

Much like the single acquisition unit 12, each concentrator 20 preferably has a transmission range 26 that encompasses several seismic acquisition units 12. In the array 14, data transmission from the string 18 to the concentrator 20 may be by multiple ones of the cells 12. For example, concentrator 20a has an omni-directional transmission range 26 a. The seismic acquisition units 12h-12j fall within the transmission range 26a of the concentrator 20 a. In this manner, any of the acquisition units 12h-12j may transmit seismic data from the string 18a to the concentrator 20 a. Thus, failure of one acquisition unit, such as 12h, will prevent seismic data from traveling up the line from string 18 a. Conversely, the transmission path from the string 18a to the concentrator 20a will be re-routed through an operational acquisition unit such as unit 12i or 12 j. The concentrator 20 may be positioned within a short transmission distance of the adjacent concentrator.

As described above, the network 10 will function as a unidirectional network, i.e., the concentrator 20 is used only to receive seismic data from the array 14; or will function as a bi-directional network, i.e., concentrator 20 transmits command signals to array 14 and receives seismic data transmitted from array 14.

In another configuration, seismic data is transmitted back using a network of linked seismic acquisition units 12, but control signals are transmitted directly to each seismic acquisition unit 12 from the control station 16 or associated concentrator 20. In this case, the acquisition unit 12 is able to receive long range transmissions directly from a source over long distances with sufficient transmission power, i.e., the control station 16, the associated concentrator 20, or a wireless repeater for extended range, even though the acquisition unit 12 itself is only able to make short range hopping transmissions to send seismic data back to the control station or concentrator.

The transmission from the memory 20 or acquisition unit 12 to the control station 16 may also contain global positioning system ("GPS") or other survey information to determine the location of a particular unit 12 for the purposes of hit and recovery. This is highly desirable for the wireless units described herein because locating such units may be difficult at the time of recovery. GPS survey information is also useful for selecting transmission paths in the array described above.

In operation, the preferred transmission path may occur in unit 12 or a predetermined unit. Similarly, the alternative transmission path may be present in unit 12 or a predetermined unit. These preset paths and the number of paths required for a particular array 14 are determined based on the amount of data to be transmitted, the data rate, the signal strength, and "real-time" wireless channels with different transmission parameters (such that the wireless transmission channel is non-interfering), battery power, cell location, etc.

The beacon signal may be used to verify the preferred transmission path prior to transmission or a group of transmissions along the string in the same manner as an ad hoc network or a peer to peer network identification system. Alternatively, rather than using a predetermined or predetermined path to transmit data, the beacon signal may use the parameters described above to establish a transmission path. If a beacon signal is transmitted and the preferred transmission path is not obtained, the system 10 will look for another transmission path through the seismic units. In one embodiment, a beacon signal is transmitted and local units within range send feedback signals acknowledging receipt of the beacon signal. Once one path is verified or established, in this case, this path may be "locked" for the purpose of the particular transmission, so that the system 10 will not continuously look for another path. The beacon signal may originate from within the array 14 by the seismic unit itself or from a control station or concentrator.

The synchronization signal may also synchronize the recording times of the units of system 10 by determining a future time t (0) at which trace recording by seismic unit 12 will begin. In contrast, prior art typically emit an impulse signal that triggers recording by each seismic unit immediately upon receipt of the signal, such that prior art seismic units located closer to the signal source begin recording at an earlier time than units further from the seismic source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all seismic units 12 may be set to start recording at a particular clock time, such that data transmitted over network 10 is time-stamped based on the synchronization shot time. In this regard, all data is time synchronized regardless of the transmission path used by the network or the time period used by the network to transmit the data in the network.

Likewise, it may also be desirable to determine data delays along paths based on master clock time so that data that is not time stamped may be synchronized with data from other seismic units. The network 10 allows data to be retrieved by wireless transmission in real time or near real time.

Although the invention has been described in its broadest sense as having the flexibility to change transmission paths, i.e. each unit has a wireless link with a plurality of other units in order to transmit seismic data acquired from an array of acquisition units to a control station or concentrator, virtually none of the existing transmission systems use seismic data acquisition units as intermediate transmission devices. Thus, one aspect of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is the use of seismic data acquisition units 12 themselves, in a predetermined string configuration, as an intermediary for transmissions from seismic units in the string to a control station. In this regard, the string 40 of seismic units 42 is predetermined and defined by the farthest unit 42a and a plurality of intermediate units 42b through 42 i. Each unit 42 in the string 40 has a wireless link 44 in its transmission range 46 with only the units directly up and directly down the string. For example, seismic unit 42g can only communicate with seismic units 42f and 42h through their respective wireless links 44 because only seismic units 42f and 42h are within transmission range 46 of unit 42 g. Once the data is collected, unit 42g will then transmit the acquired data up the string to 42h along with any data received from 42f by wireless transmission. All seismic data from the units 12 containing the string 40 will be transmitted up the string to the control station 16. Control stations 16 may similarly use seismic units 12 to transmit control and command signals back down the string.

As mentioned above, one advantage of the present invention is the ability to use flexible transmission paths that can be easily changed based on various internal and external parameters that affect the network. This flexibility may also make the network itself more reliable. Preferably, the transmission path may be established and/or rerouted in an idle state based on these parameters. Another advantage of the present system is that it transmits signals over multiple short transmissions over a given distance at less power than would be used for a single transmission over the same distance. In other words, it is better to transmit a signal in several short hops than to transmit the same signal over the same distance in a single hop, because the power required to transmit the signal decreases with the square of the transmission distance. This is true even for low power short range transmissions. Of course, an additional advantage of the system of the present invention is that it avoids the need to acquire long-range wireless transmission grants. Finally, unlike the prior art, the system of the present invention eliminates the need to physically locate concentrators or similar devices in the middle of a seismic array, and does not use concentrators to sort or organize multiple seismic data transmissions directly from a single seismic acquisition unit.

Returning to the single seismic acquisition unit illustrated in fig. 3 and 4, each unit 12 is preferably wireless and does not require external cables for data transmission or unit control. Each unit 12 may include a battery 30, a short-range wireless transmitter/receiver 31, a local clock 32, limited local memory 33, and a processor 34 located within a housing 35. Geophone package 36 may be mounted within housing 35 or attached externally thereto. Any standard short-range wireless transmission device may be utilized. One non-limiting example is a wireless fidelity ("Wi-Fi") device, where transmission parameters may be selected to provide a signal carrier modulation scheme, such as, for example, a Complementary Code Keying (CCK)/Packet Binary Convolutional Code (PBCC) or direct sequence spread spectrum or a multi-carrier scheme such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). The local memory capacity is preferably limited because the seismic data is retained only for a short time. Further, since unit 12 only needs to transmit short range signals, the power requirements of unit 12 are minimized relative to the increased power required to transmit stronger signals to more distant receiving devices. By reducing memory requirements, the transmission requirements and battery requirements, overall cost, and physical size and weight of each unit are minimized.

While each unit may contain an antenna attached by an external connector, in one embodiment of the invention, each unit 12 may contain a short-range wireless transmission antenna 36 cast or integrated within the unit's housing 35. This eliminates the need for an external connector. Each cell 12 may contain a radio frequency identification tag or similar identification tag, such as a bar code. Finally, each unit 12 may include a receiver for receiving remote wireless transmissions directly from the control station or concentrator described above.

In another embodiment, each cell 12 may contain external protrusions or spikes 37 that are used not only to couple the cell to ground, but also as a conductive conduit through which the cell's internal battery 30 may be recharged. This configuration minimizes the need for external connectors that are known in the art as sources of various problems such as corrosion, leakage, etc., or alternatively minimizes the need to open and seal the unit. Although any shape, length or number of projections or spikes may be utilized, a preferred configuration utilizes three spikes, which may also be used to couple the unit to ground. In a three-pin configuration, two pins are connected to the battery through a relay or similar mechanism. A third spike will be used to control the relay. In the charging process, the relay is closed; after charging, the relay will be opened to prevent the battery from discharging.

The concentrator 20 (not shown) may include a long range wireless transmitter/receiver for communicating with the control station 16, a short range wireless transmitter/receiver for communicating with the network of seismic acquisition units 12, a power source, a local clock, and a processor. In one embodiment, concentrator 20 functions only as a mid-range transmitter/receiver to relay short range transmissions from the network of seismic units 12 to control station 16. In another embodiment, a mass memory is provided to concentrator 20 for storing data to be transmitted from the network of seismic units 12. In either embodiment, the concentrator 20 may relay control signals from the control station 16 and other transmissions to the network of seismic units 12. Likewise, concentrator 20 may be provided as a local control station for a network of seismic units 12. While the preferred embodiment utilizes radio frequencies for transmission between the concentrator 20 and the control station 16, the transmission therebetween may be by various other transmission means, such as telemetry cable or fiber optic cable.

While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be readily understood that the invention includes all modifications and adaptations coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims (85)

1. A method for seismic data transmission, comprising the steps of:

A. providing a plurality of seismic acquisition units, wherein each of the seismic acquisition units is capable of acquiring seismic data, receiving short range wireless transmissions, and transmitting short range wireless transmissions;

B. transmitting seismic data to another seismic acquisition unit in the array by short range wireless transmission using at least two of the seismic acquisition units;

C. receiving seismic data from another seismic acquisition unit in the array by short range wireless transmission using at least two of the seismic acquisition units;

D. dividing the plurality of seismic acquisition units into at least two seismic acquisition unit subsets; and

E. short-range radio transmission techniques with sets of parameters are used so that non-interfering radio transmissions in each subset can be achieved.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a receiving station to receive short-range wireless transmissions from the seismic acquisition unit.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of transmitting seismic data from said array to said receiving station using short range wireless transmission.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of recording seismic data from said array at said receiving station.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein multiple short range wireless transmissions are used to transmit multiple sets of seismic data from said array to said receiving station.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of recording sets of seismic data from the array at the receiving station.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing a control station for receiving the short-range wireless transmissions from the first acquisition unit, wherein the control station is remote from the receiving station.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of transmitting seismic signals from said receiving station to said control station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmission of seismic data from the receiving station to the control station is accomplished using remote transmission.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmission of seismic data from the receiving station to the control station is accomplished using fiber optic cables.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmission of seismic data from the receiving station to the control station is accomplished using telemetry cabling.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of acquiring seismic data using the first and second seismic units.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting, with the first seismic acquisition unit, the seismic data acquired by the second seismic unit via short-range transmission.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of transmitting the seismic data acquired by the first seismic unit via short-range transmission using the first seismic acquisition unit.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of dividing the plurality of seismic acquisition units into a third subset, wherein the first and third subsets of seismic acquisition units are separated from each other by a second seismic acquisition unit.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of assigning transmission parameters such that the third subset of seismic acquisition units have the same short-range wireless transmission parameters as assigned to the first subset.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting seismic data to other seismic acquisition units in the first subset by short-range wireless transmission using a plurality of said seismic acquisition units in said first subset while transmitting seismic data to other seismic acquisition units in the second subset by short-range wireless transmission using a plurality of said seismic acquisition units in said second subset, wherein each transmission is made using short-range wireless transmission parameters assigned to the respective subset.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting seismic data to other seismic acquisition units in the first subset by short range wireless transmission using a plurality of said seismic acquisition units in said first subset, while transmitting seismic data to other seismic acquisition units in the second subset by short range wireless transmission using a plurality of said seismic acquisition units in said second subset, while transmitting seismic data to other seismic acquisition units in the third subset by short range wireless transmission using a plurality of said seismic acquisition units in said third subset, wherein each transmission is made using short range wireless transmission parameters assigned to the respective subset.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein each seismic acquisition unit has a wireless transmission range, and the seismic acquisition units within the first and third subsets are sufficiently spaced apart so as to fall outside the transmission range of any seismic acquisition unit within the respective subsets.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein each seismic acquisition unit has a wireless transmission range that is adjustable by adjusting the transmission parameters such that the first and third subsets have transmission ranges that do not interfere with each other.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein each acquisition unit has a set of transmission parameters associated therewith and an adjustable transmission range, the method further comprising the step of adjusting the transmission range by adjusting the transmission parameters.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmission range is adjusted by adjusting the transmission power.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range wireless transmissions from at least two other seismic acquisition units.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein each seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range wireless transmissions from at least two other seismic acquisition units.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein each seismic acquisition unit is capable of receiving short range wireless transmissions from at least three other seismic acquisition units.

26. A method for seismic data transmission, comprising the steps of:

A. providing at least three spaced apart seismic acquisition units deployed in an array, wherein each of the seismic acquisition units is capable of receiving and transmitting short range wireless transmissions;

B. providing a receiving station for receiving short range wireless transmissions from at least one seismic acquisition unit in the array;

C. after deployment, identifying at least two separate transmission paths from the seismic acquisition units to the receiving station, wherein a transmission path is defined as a chain of at least two seismic acquisition units and the receiving station, each capable of serial communication via short-range wireless transmission;

D. selecting a transmission path from the identified transmission paths based on a set of transmission path criteria; and

E. transmitting a signal along the selected transmission path.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of transmitting the first signal along one path and the second signal along another path.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein each of the seismic acquisition units is capable of acquiring seismic data.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of acquiring seismic data with the seismic acquisition unit.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the transmission signals received by the receiving station comprise seismic data acquired by at least one of the seismic acquisition units.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the transmission signals received by the receiving station comprise seismic data acquired by a plurality of said seismic acquisition units.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein each seismic acquisition unit has a wireless transmission range.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein at least two seismic transmission units fall within the wireless transmission range of another seismic acquisition unit.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the wireless transmission range of each seismic acquisition unit is omni-directional.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the wireless transmission range of at least one seismic acquisition unit is omni-directional.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the wireless transmission range of each seismic acquisition unit is unidirectional.

37. The method of claim 26, wherein the transmission chain is comprised of a plurality of seismic acquisition units.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein a transmission chain comprises each seismic acquisition unit in the array.

39. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of adjusting the transmission range of the seismic acquisition unit to change the number of other seismic acquisition units within the adjusted wireless transmission range of the seismic acquisition unit.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein the receiving station is within short-range wireless range of at least two seismic acquisition units.

41. The method of claim 26, wherein the receiving station is within short-range wireless range of at least three seismic acquisition units.

42. The method of claim 26 wherein the receiving station transmits control signals to the seismic acquisition units.

43. The method of claim 31 wherein the receiving station transmits control signals to the seismic acquisition units and the control signals are transmitted on the same transmission chain used to transmit seismic data from the seismic acquisition units to the receiving station.

44. The method of claim 31 wherein the receiving station transmits control signals to the seismic acquisition units and the control signals are transmitted on different transmission chains used to transmit seismic data from the seismic acquisition units to the receiving station.

45. The method of claim 26, wherein transmissions from the seismic acquisition units to a receiving station are made using different transmission chains.

46. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of using remote transmission to transmit control signals from said receiving station to said seismic acquisition unit.

47. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting control signals from the control station to the seismic acquisition units using remote transmission.

48. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmissions from the seismic acquisition units include information identifying the location of the seismic acquisition units.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmissions from the seismic acquisition unit include information identifying the identity of the seismic acquisition unit.

50. The method of claim 26, wherein the transmission path is preset between seismic units.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein the second alternative transmission path is preset between seismic acquisition units.

52. The method of claim 26, wherein a plurality of transmission paths are identified.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of selecting one of the plurality of transmission paths prior to transmission.

54. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a beacon signal from at least one of the seismic acquisition units.

55. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of determining the number of other seismic acquisition units within transmission range of the seismic acquisition unit.

56. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of determining the signal strength of other seismic acquisition units within transmission range of the seismic acquisition unit.

57. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of generating a beacon signal and transmitting the beacon signal along a transmission path.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of verifying the transmission path by generating a beacon signal.

59. The method of claim 57 further comprising the step of utilizing said beacon signal to establish a synchronized recording time in the seismic acquisition unit.

60. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of simultaneously initiating recording of seismic data by said seismic acquisition units.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein the seismic data transmitted from the seismic acquisition units is time stamped.

62. A seismic data transmission system, comprising:

A. at least three wireless seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) A housing;

(2) a battery;

(3) a short-range wireless transmitter disposed within the housing;

(4) a short-range wireless receiver disposed within the housing;

(5) a local clock disposed within the housing;

(6) a local memory disposed within the housing;

(7) a processor disposed within the housing; and

(8) a geophone; and

B. a receiving unit comprising

(1) A battery; and

(2) a short-range wireless receiver;

C. wherein the seismic data acquisition units are arranged in an array such that each seismic data acquisition unit is in short-range wireless transmission contact with at least two other seismic data acquisition units.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a mass storage medium.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a remote transmitter.

65. A seismic data transmission system comprising:

A. at least three wireless seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) A housing;

(2) a battery;

(3) a wireless fidelity transmitter disposed within the housing;

(4) a wireless fidelity receiver disposed within the housing;

(5) a local clock disposed within the housing;

(6) a local memory disposed within the housing;

(7) a processor disposed inside the housing; and

(8) a geophone; and

B. a receiving unit comprising

(1) A battery; and

(2) a wireless fidelity receiver;

C. wherein the seismic data acquisition units are arranged in an array such that each seismic data acquisition unit is in short-range wireless transmission contact with at least two other seismic data acquisition units.

66. The transmission system of claim 62 wherein each seismic acquisition unit further comprises an antenna.

67. The transmission system of claim 62 wherein the antenna is molded into the housing.

68. The transmission system of claim 62, wherein each seismic acquisition unit further comprises a remote wireless receiver.

69. The transmission system of claim 62, wherein each seismic acquisition unit further comprises a geophone.

70. The transmission system of claim 62, wherein at least one seismic acquisition unit further comprises a spike externally affixed to the housing, wherein the spike is in selective electrical contact with the battery.

71. The transmission system of claim 62, wherein at least one seismic acquisition unit further comprises at least three spikes externally affixed to the housing, wherein at least one spike is in selective electrical contact with the battery.

72. The method of claim 1, wherein each acquisition unit has associated therewith a set of antenna parameters and an adjustable transmission range, the method further comprising the step of adjusting the transmission range by adjusting the transmission parameters.

73. The method of claim 1, wherein each acquisition unit has a set of antenna parameters associated therewith and an adjustable transmission direction, the method further comprising the step of adjusting the transmission direction by adjusting the transmission parameters.

74. A seismic data transmission system comprising:

A. at least ten wireless seismic acquisition units, each unit comprising

(1) A short-range wireless transmitter;

(2) a short-range wireless receiver; and

(3) a geophone; and

B. a receiving unit comprising

(1) A short-range wireless receiver;

C. the seismic data acquisition units are arranged in an array form, so that a plurality of independent seismic data acquisition units and at least two other independent seismic data adjacent to the independent seismic data acquisition units adopt unit short-range wireless transmission contact to form at least two short-range wireless transmission paths between the adjacent seismic data acquisition units originating from the independent seismic data acquisition units; and

D. wherein the receiving unit is in short-range wireless transmission contact with at least two seismic data acquisition units.

75. The seismic data transmission system of claim 74, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a short-range wireless transmitter.

76. The seismic data transmission system of claim 74, wherein the receiving unit is in short-range wireless transmission communication with at least three seismic data acquisition units.

77. The seismic data transmission system of claim 74, wherein the plurality of seismic data acquisition units are in short-range wireless transmission communication with at least three seismic data acquisition units.

78. The seismic data transmission system of claim 74, further comprising at least two different array transmission paths through the array, wherein each array transmission path comprises a plurality of short-range wireless transmission paths.

79. A seismic data transmission system comprising:

at least four wireless seismic acquisition units arranged in an array, each unit comprising:

(1) a short-range wireless transmitter;

(2) a short-range wireless receiver; and

(3) a geophone; and

B. a receiving unit comprising

(1) A battery; and

(2) a short-range wireless receiver;

C. wherein at least two seismic data acquisition units have a first set of transmission path parameters; and

D. wherein at least two seismic data acquisition units have a second set of transmission path parameters, wherein the first set of transmission path parameters and the second set of transmission path parameters are different.

80. The seismic data transmission system of claim 79, wherein the first set of transmission path parameters is a first frequency and the second set of transmission path parameters is a second frequency.

81. The seismic data transmission system of claim 79 wherein the first set of transmission path parameters is a first channel and the second set of transmission path parameters is a second channel.

82. The seismic data transmission system of claim 79, further comprising a control station in communication with the receiving unit.

83. The seismic data transmission system of claim 82, wherein the control station and the receiving unit are interconnected with a cable.

84. The seismic data transmission system of claim 82, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a long range transmitter capable of communicating with the control station.

85. A seismic data transmission system comprising:

a plurality of wireless seismic acquisition units arranged in an array, each unit comprising:

(1) a short-range wireless transmitter;

(2) a short-range wireless receiver; and

(3) a geophone; and

B. a concentrator comprising a short-range wireless receiver; and

C. at least two different wireless transmission paths through the array from each of the plurality of wireless seismic acquisition units to the concentrator,

D. wherein each transmission path podcasts a plurality of the seismic data acquisition units.