Wireless network discovery algorithm and system

摘要

A wireless modem for communication in a network of wireless modems via a communication channel includes a transceiver assembly, transceiver electronics and a power supply. The transceiver electronics include transmitter electronics, receiver electronics and at least one processing unit. The transmitter electronics cause the transceiver assembly to send wireless signals into the communication channel. The receiver electronics decode signals received by the transceiver assembly. The at least one processing unit executes instructions to (1) enable the transmitter electronics to transmit an identification signal into the communication channel, (2) receive data from at least one other wireless modem via the receiver electronics indicative of a unique identifier identifying the other wireless modem, and data indicative of at least one local sensor measurement related to the depth of the other wireless modem below the surface of the Earth, and (3) determine the position and/or relative order of the other wireless modem using the data indicative of the local sensor measurement. The power supply supplies power to the transceiver assembly and the transceiver electronics.

主权项

1. A wireless modem for communication in a network of wireless modems via a communication channel in a downhole environment, the wireless modem comprising:
a transceiver assembly; transceiver electronics, comprising:
transmitter electronics to cause the transceiver assembly to send wireless signals into the communication channel;receiver electronics to decode signals from a plurality of other wireless modems received by the transceiver assembly;at least one processor executing instructions to (1) enable the transmitter electronics to transmit an identification signal into the communication channel, (2) receive data from at least one other wireless modem via the receiver electronics indicative of a unique identifier identifying the at least one other wireless modem, and data representative of at least one first local sensor measurement made by at least one first local sensor associated with the at least one other wireless modem of a parameter that is related to a depth of the at least one other wireless modem below a surface of the Earth, and (3) determine a relative order and a position of the at least one other wireless modem in the network of wireless modems along the communication channel using a comparison between the data representative of the at least one first local sensor measurement of the parameter that is related to the depth of the at least one other wireless modem and data representative of a second local sensor measurement made by a second local sensor associated with the wireless modem, wherein the data representative of the at least one first local sensor measurement includes a time slot, and wherein the relative order and the position of the at least one other wireless modem is determined in part based on which available time slot of a plurality of available time slots contains the data representative of the at least one first local sensor measurement received from the at least one other wireless modem; and a power supply supplying power to the transceiver assembly and the transceiver electronics.