as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0272529 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Nov.5, 2009
`
`Crawford
`
`US 20090272529A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE
`ACTIVATION OF DOWNHOLEDEVICES IN A
`TOOL STRING
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Donald L. Crawford, Spring, TX
`(US)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`E21B 43/12
`(52) US. Ch. eeccecccsccceseeeen 166/250.15; 166/66; 166/55.1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system (100) for selective activation of explosive devices
`Correspondence Address:
`(126, 128, 130, 132) includes a surface controller (102), a
`LAWRENCER. YOUST
`downhole controller (106) operable to communicate bidirec-
`Lawrence Youst PLLC
`tionally with the surface controller overa first communication
`link (108) andaplurality of downhole remote units (114, 116,
`2900 McKinnon, Suite 2208
`118, 120) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the
`DALLAS, TX 75201 (US)
`downhole controller (106) over a second communication link
`(112). One or more sensors (162) are operably associated
`with the downhole controller (106) and one of the explosive
`devices (126, 128, 130, 132) is operably associated with each
`of the downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) such that,
`responsive to a detonation event, the sensors (162) detect the
`intensity level ofthe detonation which is communicated from
`the downhole controller (106) to the surface control (102)
`overthe first communication link (108).
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/112,016
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 30, 2008
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`HALLIBURTON ENERGY
`SERVICES,INC., Carrollton, TX
`(US)
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Ex. 1022
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
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`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 005
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US 2009/0272529 Al
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE
`ACTIVATION OF DOWNHOLEDEVICES IN A
`TOOL STRING
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates, in general, to selective acti-
`vation of downhole devices in a tool string and, in particular,
`to systems and methods for bidirectional communication
`between a surface system and a downhole system that enables
`individual addressing of and operational feedback from
`downhole devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Without limiting the scopeofthe present invention,
`its background will be described in relation to activating
`perforating guns, as an example.
`[0003] One ofthe typical steps in completing a well that
`traverses a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation is
`perforating the well casing to allow production of a hydro-
`carbonfluid such asoil or gas. In some wells, the hydrocarbon
`bearing subterranean formation is continuous, which allows
`the casing adjacent to the formation to be perforated in a
`single trip into the well with one or more guns that create
`openings along the entire productive zone. In other wells,
`however, it has been found that the productive zones of a
`formation are not continuous. For example, some formations
`may have non-productive streaks in the oil-bearing zone. In
`other cases, the well may traverse multiple formations that are
`separated by non productive intervals. In well having such
`multiple zones or multiple formations, it remains desirable to
`perforate the individual zones or formations at separate well
`depths during a single trip into a well.
`[0004] Attempts have been madeto perforate such multiple
`zones in a single trip using multi-gun strings and selective
`fired gun systems. Typically, the guns in such a multi-gun
`string are sequentially armedandfired starting from the low-
`ermost gun and progressing to the uppermost gun using a
`variety ofmechanicalandelectrical techniques. For example,
`in certain gun systems, each gun above the lowermost gun is
`sequentially activated responsive to the force of a detonation
`of the gun below. In such gun systems, mechanical switches
`are used to step through the guns from the bottom to the top.
`It has been found, however, that these selective fired gun
`systems encounter a numberof problems. For example, cer-
`tain guns in these selective fired gun systems mayfail to fire
`because of assembly mistakes, mechanical integrity issues,
`switch failures and thelike. In addition,it has been found,that
`guns may become prematurely armed due, for example, to
`electrical or mechanical failures which may lead to off depth
`firing of the misarmed gun.Also, in some systems, if any gun
`fails to fire for any reason, the gun above will not be armed
`and the firing sequence is stopped. As a result, the guns must
`be pulled out of the well for repair or replacement.
`[0005] More recently, attempts have been made to improve
`selective fired gun systems by allowing downhole control
`units to be individually addressed by a surface system. In such
`systems, a request and response protocol has been used to
`allow communication between the surface system and the
`downhole control units such that the identity of the downhole
`control units may be confirmedpriorto activating a gun.Ithas
`been found, however,
`that such individually addressable
`selective fired gun systems require each of the downhole
`control units to communicate over a long distance to the
`
`surface system. In addition, it has also been found, that such
`individually addressable selective fired gun systemsfail to
`provide any information regarding the quality of the perfo-
`rating results. For example, certain failures in firing, includ-
`ing low order firing, may go undetected with such systems
`resulting in non productive or under productive completions.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] The present invention disclosed herein provides sys-
`tems and methodsforbidirectional communication between a
`surface system and a downhole system that enables individual
`addressing of and operational feedback from downhole
`devices The systems and methods of the present invention
`enable such communication without the need for each of the
`downhole devices to communicate over a long distance to the
`surface system. In addition, systems and methods of the
`present invention provide for information regarding the qual-
`ity of the perforating results to be obtained.
`[0007]
`In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a
`system for selective activation of downhole devices in a tool
`string that is operably positionable in a wellbore. The system
`includesa surface controller, a downhole controller operable
`to communicate bidirectionally with the surface controller
`over a first communication link and a plurality of downhole
`remote units operable to communicate bidirectionally with
`the downhole controller over a second communication link.
`In response to a single enable commandreceivedoverthefirst
`communication link from the surface controller, the down-
`hole controller communicates with each of the downhole
`remote units over the second communication link to obtain
`
`status information therefrom and reports the status informa-
`tion relating to each of the downhole remote units to the
`surface controller over the first communication link.
`[0008]
`In one embodiment, each of the downhole remote
`units has a fixed address wherein each of the fixed addresses
`maybe a uniquefixed address such as a unique frequency, a
`unique digital code or the like. In another embodiment, the
`first and second communication links may be wired commu-
`nication links. In a further embodiment, the status informa-
`tion relating to each of the downhole remote units includes
`eithera status of operational or a status of non operational.
`[0009]
`In one embodiment, each of the downhole remote
`units is operable to activate an associated downhole device
`such as an explosive device, a perforating gun, a group of
`perforating guns, a cutting device, an actuator, an injector or
`the like. In this embodiment and responsive to the status
`information received relating to each of the downhole remote
`units, the surface controller sends a commandto the down-
`hole controller to activate a particular downhole device and
`the downhole controller sends an activation command to the
`downhole remote unit associated with the particular down-
`hole device.In certain embodiments, the activation command
`may be a voltage, a current, a signal orthelike.
`[0010]
`Inanotheraspect,the present invention is directed to
`amethodfor selective activation ofdownhole devices in a tool
`string that is operably positionable in a wellbore. The method
`includes providing a surface controller, positioning a down-
`hole controller in the tool string, the downhole controller
`operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface
`controller over a first communication link, positioning a plu-
`rality of downhole remote units in the tool string downhole of
`the downhole controller, the downhole remote units operable
`to communicate bidirectionally with the downhole controller
`over a second communication link, sending a single enable
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 006
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 006
`
`

`

`US 2009/0272529 Al
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`command from the surface controller to the downhole con-
`
`troller over the first communication link and, responsive to
`the enable command, the downhole controller communicat-
`ing with each of the downhole remote units over the second
`communication link to obtain status information therefrom
`
`and reporting the status information relating to each of the
`downhole remote units to the surface controller over thefirst
`communication link.
`
`[0011] The method may also include, responsive to the
`status information received relating to each of the downhole
`remote units, the surface controller sending a commandto the
`downhole controller to activate a downhole device associated
`with one of the downhole remote units and the downhole
`controller sending an activation commandto the downhole
`remote unit associated with the downhole device.
`
`Ina further aspect, the present invention is directed
`[0012]
`to a system for selective activation of downhole devices in a
`tool string that is operably positionable in a wellbore. The
`system includes a surface controller, a downhole controller
`operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface
`controller over a first communication link and a plurality of
`downhole remote units operable to communicate bidirection-
`ally with the downhole controller over a second communica-
`tion link. One or more sensors are operably associated with
`the downhole controller and an explosive device is operably
`associated with each of the downhole remote units such that,
`responsiveto a detonation of oneofthe explosive devices, the
`sensor detects an intensity level of the detonation which is
`communicated from the downhole controller to the surface
`controller over the first communication link.
`
`In one embodiment, the surface controller sends a
`[0013]
`command to the downhole controller over the first commu-
`
`nicationlink to initiate the detonation of the explosive device
`and the downhole controller sends a fire command to the
`
`downhole remote unit associated with the explosive device
`over the second communicationlink. In another embodiment,
`each of the explosive devices further comprises at least one
`perforating gun. In this embodiment, the sensor may include
`one or more accelerometers that are operable to detect the
`quality ofthe firing of the perforating gun.
`[0014]
`Inanother aspect, the present invention is directed to
`amethodfor selective activation ofdownhole devices in a tool
`
`string that is operably positionable in a wellbore. The method
`includes providing a surface controller, positioning a down-
`hole controller in the tool string, the downhole controller
`operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface
`controller over a first communication link, positioning a plu-
`rality of downhole remote units in the tool string downhole of
`the downhole controller, the downhole remote units operable
`to communicate bidirectionally with the downhole controller
`over a second communication link, operably associating an
`explosive device with each of the downhole remote units,
`detonating one ofthe explosive devices, detecting an intensity
`level of the detonation and communicating the intensity level
`of the detonation from the downhole controllerto the surface
`controller over the first communication link.
`
`[0015] The method mayalso include sending a command
`from the surface controller to the downhole controller over
`the first communication link to initiate the detonation of the
`
`explosive device and sending a fire commandfrom the down-
`hole controller to the downhole remote unit associated with
`the explosive device over the second communication link.
`The method may further include detecting the intensity level
`
`ofthe detonation with at least one accelerometer suchthat the
`quality of the firing of a perforating gun may be determined.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present
`[0016]
`invention, including its features and advantages, reference is
`now madetothe detailed description ofthe invention, taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like
`numerals identify like parts and in which:
`[0017]
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of a
`system for selective activation of downhole devices in a tool
`string that is positioned in a wellbore that embodiesprinciples
`of the present invention;
`[0018]
`FIG. 2 is a communication diagram of a system for
`selective activation of downhole devices in a tool string that
`embodies principles of the present invention;
`[0019]
`FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram of a surface
`controller of a system for selective activation of downhole
`devices in a tool string that embodiesprinciplesofthe present
`invention;
`[0020]
`FIG. 3Bisa functional block diagram of a downhole
`controller of a system for selective activation of downhole
`devices in a tool string that embodiesprinciplesofthe present
`invention;
`[0021]
`FIG. 3Cisa functional block diagram of a downhole
`remote unit of a system for selective activation of downhole
`devices in a tool string that embodiesprinciplesofthe present
`invention;
`[0022]
`FIG. 4isa flow chart illustrating a methodforselec-
`tive activation of downhole devices in a tool string that
`embodies principles of the present invention; and
`[0023]
`FIG. 5isa flow chart illustrating a methodforselec-
`tive activation of downhole devices in a tool string that
`embodies principles of the present invention
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0024] While the making and using of various embodi-
`ments ofthe present invention are discussedin detail below,it
`should be appreciated that the present invention provides
`manyapplicable inventive concepts which can be embodied
`in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodi-
`ments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific
`ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the
`scope ofthe invention.
`[0025] Referring initially to FIG. 1A,therein is representa-
`tively illustrated a system forselective activation of downhole
`devices in a tool string that is positioned in a wellbore andis
`generally designated 10. System 10 is being operatedin asso-
`ciation with a wellbore 12 lined with casing 14. Wellbore 12
`traverses various earth strata including hydrocarbon bearing
`formations 16, 18, 20, 22. Between each of the hydrocarbon
`bearing formations 16, 18, 20, 22 is anon productive interval.
`Specifically, non productive interval 24 is between forma-
`tions 16, 18, non productive interval 26 is between formations
`18, 20 and non productive interval 28 is between formations
`20, 22. While the illustrated embodiment depicts four forma-
`tions separated by three non productive intervals,
`those
`skilled in the art will recognize that system 10 is suitable for
`use within a wellbore thattraverses any numberof formations
`or production zones separated by a concomitant numberof
`non productive intervals without departing from the principle
`of the present invention.
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 007
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 007
`
`

`

`US 2009/0272529 Al
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`[0026] Wellbore 12 is depicted during the completion
`phaseofthe well. Specifically, a tool string 30 is suspended in
`wellbore 12 supported by a conveyance 32 such as a wireline
`or electric line. Conveyance 32 preferably includes one or
`more cables that are operable to transport and position tool
`string 30 within wellbore 12 and provide communication
`capability between a surface controller 34 and a downhole
`controller 36 when downhole controller 36 is positioned
`within wellbore 12. In addition, conveyance 32 may also be
`operable to provide power from the surface to downhole
`controller 36 as well as the other components within tool
`string 30. In the illustrated embodiments conveyance 32 is
`supported by a hoisting assembly 38 positioned within der-
`rick 40.
`
`In addition to downhole controller 36, tool string 30
`[0027]
`includesa plurality of perforating guns each being associated
`with a downhole remote unit. In the illustrated embodiment,
`tool string 30 includes perforating gun 42 and downhole
`remote unit 44, perforating gun 46 and downhole remote unit
`48, perforating gun 50 and downhole remote unit 52, and
`perforating gun 54 and downhole remote unit 56. While the
`illustrated embodimentdepicts four perforating guns and four
`downhole remote units, those skilled in the art will recognize
`that system 10 may encompass any numberof perforating
`guns and downhole remote units depending on the numberof
`independent perforating events desired. In addition, those
`skilled in the art will recognize that more than one perforating
`gun may be associated with a single downhole remote unit,
`the numberof perforating guns being dependent upon the
`length of the formation being perforated.
`[0028]
`System 10 of the present
`invention enables the
`operator to control the detonation of individual perforating
`guns 42, 46, 50, 54 while obtaining definitive feedbackrelat-
`ing to the outcomeofthe activation events downhole. As best
`seen in FIG. 1A, tool string 30 has been positioned within
`wellbore 12 such that perforating gun 54 is aligned with
`formation 16. Once system 10 is in this configuration, a
`sequence of commands and responses, as will be detailed
`below,
`is communicated between surface controller 34,
`downhole controller 36 and downhole remote units 44, 48, 52,
`56 such that a desired oneofthe perforating guns, in this case
`perforating gun 54 maybefired. As best seen in FIG.1B, after
`perforating gun 54 has beenfired, perforations 58 have been
`made which will eventually allow production of the hydro-
`carbon fluids from formation 16 to enter wellbore 12, and
`feedback has been delivered regarding the quality of the per-
`forating event, tool string 30 is raised such that perforating
`gun 50 is aligned with formation 18. Once system 10 is in this
`configuration, the sequence of commands and responsesis
`repeated such thata desired one ofthe perforating guns, in this
`case perforating gun 50, maybefired and feedback regarding
`the quality ofthis perforating event is obtained. This process
`continues up tool string 30 sequentially firing guns 46, 42 to
`respectively perforate formations 20, 22. While the firing
`sequence has been described as progressing from the lower-
`mostperforating gun 54 to the uppermostperforating gun 42,
`the system of the present invention in not limited to such a
`sequence. As more fully described below, each of the down-
`hole remote units 44, 48, 52, 56 possesses a unique address
`such that the operator may choice to fire any of the available
`perforating guns by selecting the downhole remote unit asso-
`ciated with the desired perforating gun using the unique
`address of appropriate downhole remote unit.
`
`[0029] Referring next to FIG.2, therein is depicted a com-
`munication diagram of a system for selective activation of
`downhole devices in a tool string that is generally designated
`100. System 100 includes a surface controller 102 that is
`coupledto a bidirectional communication link 104 that pro-
`vides for communication between surface controller 102 and
`a downhole controller 106. As illustrated, communication
`link 104 includes a communication path 108 from surface
`controller 102 to downhole controller 106 and a communica-
`
`tion path 110 from downhole controller 106 to surface con-
`troller 102. In certain embodiments, bidirectional communi-
`cation may be achieved via a half duplex channel which
`allows only one of communication paths 108, 110 to be open
`in any time period. Preferably, bidirectional communication
`is achieved via a full duplex channel which allows simulta-
`neous communication over communication paths 108, 110.
`This can be achieved, for example, by providing independent
`hardwire connections or over a shared physical media
`through frequency division duplexing, time division duplex-
`ing, echo cancellation or similar technique. In either case,
`communication link 104 may include one or moreelectrical
`conductors, optical conductors or other physical conductors.
`As described above, the downhole controller is supported
`within the wellbore on a conveyancesuchas an electric line
`that may be usedto couple surface controller 102 to downhole
`controller 106. In this configuration, the conveyance prefer-
`ably includes the physical media that provides communica-
`tion link 104 including communication paths 108, 110.
`Accordingly, surface controller 102, downhole controller 106
`and communication link 104 form a first communication
`
`network of system 100.
`[0030] Downhole controller 106 is also coupled to a bidi-
`rectional communication link 112 that provides communica-
`tion between downhole controller 106 and each of a plurality
`of downhole remote units 114, 116, 118, 120. Asillustrated,
`communication link 112 includes a communication path 122
`from downhole controller 106 to downhole remote units 114,
`116, 118, 120 and a communication path 124 from downhole
`remote units 114, 116, 118, 120 to downhole controller 106.
`As described above, bidirectional communication may be
`achieved via a half duplex channel or preferably via a full
`duplex channel. The communication media of communica-
`tion link 112 may be one or moreelectrical conductors, opti-
`cal conductors or other physical conductors. Accordingly,
`downhole controller 106, downhole remote units 114, 116,
`118, 120 and communication link 112 form a second com-
`munication network of system 100.
`[0031] As downhole controller 106 is a componentin both
`the first and the second communication networks of system
`100, downhole controller 106 is operable to serve as a relay
`between surface controller 102 and downhole remote units
`
`114, 116, 118, 120. This feature of the present invention
`enables each ofthe downhole remote units 114, 116, 118, 120
`to operate at a lower powerlevel as communications between
`downhole remote units 114, 116, 118, 120 and downhole
`controller 106 take place over a short distance whereas, com-
`munications between downhole controller 106 and surface
`
`controller 102 take place over a long distance requiring higher
`power. As such, the second communication network may
`operate at a lower powerlevel then the first communication
`network.
`
`Inthe illustrated embodiment, each ofthe downhole
`[0032]
`remote units 114, 116, 118, 120 is in communication with a
`downhole device. Specifically, downhole remote unit 114 is
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 008
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1022
`Pg. 008
`
`

`

`US 2009/0272529 Al
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`in communication with downhole device 126, downhole
`remote unit 116 is in communication with downhole device
`
`128, downhole remote unit 118 is in communication with
`downhole device 130, and downhole remote unit 120 is in
`communication with downhole device 132. The communica-
`
`tion path between respective downhole remote units and
`downhole devices maybebidirectional or unidirectional pro-
`viding at least the ability to send a voltage, current or other
`signal from the downhole remote unit to the downhole device
`to activate the downhole device. In the case of the downhole
`
`devices being perforating guns, a voltage signal such as 40
`volts, 200 volts or other voltage may desirable. Those skilled
`in theart will recognize, however, that the signal sent from a
`downhole remote unit to a downhole device to activate that
`
`downhole device will depend on the type of downhole device
`being activated. For example, the downhole remote units of
`the present invention are suitable for activating a variety of
`downhole devices including, but not limited to, explosive
`devices, perforating guns, cutting devices, actuators, injec-
`tors andthe like.
`
`[0033] Referring next to FIG. 3A, therein is depicted a
`functional block diagram of surface controller 102 that is
`operable in the system for selective activation of downhole
`devices in a tool string of the present invention. Surface
`controller 102 includes a user interface 152 including, for
`example, input and output devices such as one or more video
`screens or monitors, including touch screens, one or more
`keyboards or keypads, one or more pointing or navigation
`devices, as well as any other user interface devices that are
`currently knownto those skilled in the art or are developed.
`The user interface 152 may take the form of a computer
`including a notebook computer.
`[0034]
`Surface controller 102 also includes a logic module
`154 that may include variouscontrollers, processors, memory
`components, operating systems, instructions, communica-
`tion protocols andthe like for implementing the systems and
`methodsforselective activation of downhole devices ina tool
`
`string of the present invention. In one embodiment, logic
`module 154 is operable to communicate via communication
`link 104 (FIG. 2) with downhole controller 106. Logic mod-
`ule 154 is operable to issue commands to the downhole con-
`troller 106 and receive information from the downhole con-
`
`troller 106. As an example, logic module 154 may issue an
`enable command whichinitiates a status check of downhole
`controller 106 as well as a status check of the downhole
`remote units 114, 116, 118, 120. The status information
`returned to logic module 154 may include the operational or
`short/fault/non operational status of each of the downhole
`remote units. As another example, logic module 154 may
`issue a commandto activate one of the downhole devices
`associated with a downhole remote unit. In a perforating gun
`system implementation, logic module 154 preferably com-
`mandsthe deepest downhole remote unit, downhole remote
`unit 120, to activate its downhole device 132. Alternatively,
`logic module 154 may send a commandto a less deep down-
`hole remote unit using that downhole remote unit’s unique
`address. It should be noted by those skilledin theart, that in
`a perforating gun system implementation, certain commands
`from surface controller 102 may be deliberately complex to
`assure the desired degree of safety. For example, logic mod-
`ule 154 may require a multiple step process using multiple
`codes from the user to achieve an explosive event. As a further
`example, logic module 154 mayreceive feedback associated
`with the operational states of the associated downhole
`
`devices. For example, in a perforating gun system implemen-
`tation, logic module 154 may receive feedback information
`giving the operator a definite confirmation regarding the
`occurrence and quality of an explosive event.
`[0035] As should be understood bythoseskilled in the art,
`any of the functions described with reference to a logic mod-
`ule herein can be implemented using software, hardware
`including fixed logic circuitry, manual processing or a com-
`bination of these implementations. As such, the term “logic
`module”as used herein generally represents software, hard-
`ware or a combination of software and hardware. For
`example, in the case of a software implementation, the term
`“logic module” represents program code and/or declarative
`content, e.g., markup language content, that performs speci-
`fied tasks when executed on a processing device or devices
`such as one or more processors or CPUs. The program code
`can be stored in one or more computer readable memory
`devices. More generally, the functionality of the illustrated
`logic modules may be implementedas distinct units in sepa-
`rate physical grouping or can correspond to a conceptual
`allocation of different tasks performed by a single software
`program and/or hardware unit. The illustrated logic modules
`can be locatedat a single site such as implementedby a single
`processing device, or can be distributed over plural locations
`such as a notebook computeror personaldigital in combina-
`tion with other physical devices that communication with one
`another via wired or wireless connections.
`
`[0036] Referring next to FIG. 3B, therein is depicted a
`functional block diagram of a downhole controller 106 thatis
`operable in the system for selective activation of downhole
`devices in a tool string of the present invention. Downhole
`controller 106 includes a plurality of sensors 162 including,
`for example, one or more accelerometers, pressure sensors
`including high speed pressure sensors, temperature sensors,
`voltage and current sensors, a casing collar locator, a gamma
`detector as well as other sensors knownto those skilled in the
`
`art. Using these sensors, downhole controller 106 is operable
`to provide feedback to surface controller 102 regarding a
`variety of downhole conditions and events. For example,
`correlation information may be obtained using the casing
`collar locator as well as the gamma detector. As another
`example, in a perforating gun system implementation, the
`accelerometers, pressure sensors, high speed pressure sensors
`and temperature sensors allow substantially real time analysis
`of the near perforation events. Also, in the case of a perforat-
`ing gun system implementation, the voltage and current sen-
`sors may be used to determine the occurrence or non occur-
`rence of a perforating event.
`[0037] Downhole controller 106 also includes a logic mod-
`ule 164 that includes various controllers, processors, memory
`components, operating systems, instructions, communica-
`tion protocols and thelike for implementing the systems and
`methodsforselective activation of downhole devicesin a tool
`
`string of the present invention. As explained above, logic
`module 164 is an active part of the first and the second
`communication networks of the system of the present inven-
`tion. Logic module 164 acts as a relay for bridging the com-
`munications between surface controller 102 and downhole
`
`remote units 114, 116, 118, 120. Log