Apparatus and method for providing communication between a probe and a sensor

Abstract

A wireless data communication system for a down hole environment. The system includes a housing containing a sensor, positioned within a tubular, for collecting information and processing the information, a modulator for modulating the information from the sensor into an analog signal, and a sensor antenna electrically connected to the first modulator for generating a modulated electromagnetic wave. The system further includes a probe housing, concentrically disposed within the tubular, comprising a probe antenna for receiving the modulated electromagnetic wave and generating an output, and a demodulator for demodulating the electromagnetic wave received from the sensor to a digital record. A method of wirelessly communicating between a probe and a remote sensor is also disclosed.

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       26 . An apparatus for wirelessly communicating from a probe to a tubing string located in a well bore, the apparatus comprising:
 a probe modulator electronics module located within the probe, said probe modem electronics module converting a digital signal into a modulated signal;   a probe antenna electrically connected to said probe modulator electronics module, said probe antenna generating an electromagnetic wave duplicating said modulated signal;   a collar antenna located within the tubing string, said collar antenna capable of receiving the electromagnetic wave;   a collar demodulator electronics module electrically connected to said collar antenna, said collar modem electronics module demodulating the received electromagnetic wave to the digital signal.   
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the length of the probe antenna is a first length, and the length of the collar antenna is a second length; and,
 wherein the length of the probe antenna is longer than the length of the collar antenna.   
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the probe antenna is disposed about an outer periphery of the probe and wherein the probe antenna comprises:
 a non-metallic coil form; an antenna winding wrapped about said coil form; and, a non-metallic shield covering said antenna winding.   
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the collar antenna is disposed about an inner pocket within the tubing string, and wherein the collar antenna comprises: a non-metallic coil form that is adjacent the inner pocket; an antenna winding about said non-metallic coil form; and, a non-metallic shield covering said antenna winding. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein an operating frequency range of said collar antenna and said probe antenna is between 10,000 Hertz and 100,000 Hertz, and a transmitter power range of the probe antenna between 1 Watt and 0.001 Watt.