Sensor array for down-hole measurement

摘要

A sensor array includes an array of nodes (12) coupled to an optical transmission line (14) and inserted into a hole, such as an oil well. The nodes include a transducer (16), and encoder (18), and a transmitter (20). The transducer (16) senses an environmental condition such as temperature and pressure. The encoder (18) encodes readings from the transducer (16) by means of a characteristic frequency to indicate which node (12) generated the reading. A sensor transmitter (20) transmits the encoded reading to a decoder (22) located near the opening of the oil well, or other blind hole. Power is transmitted to the nodes (12) through the transmission line (14). A photo-electric converter (28) at the node (12) converts the optical power to electrical energy that is stored to power the node (12).