Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 25-2 - 62

Design and Implementation of
a Multi-Channel High-Precision
Electromagnetic Seismic Joint
Detection System
Shuaiqing Qiao, Qisheng Zhang, Guangyuan Chen, and Qimao Zhang
T
he developments in deep earth exploration are promoted
by advanced methods and corresponding
high-end detection instruments [1], wherein a single
geophysical exploration approach can yield multiple
solutions. In the mid-nineteenth century, scientific methods
were first used to investigate the earth's internal structure.
In an initial attempt at seismic exploration, R. Mallet, in 1845,
used artificially excited seismic waves to measure the propagation
speed of elastic waves in the earth's crust [2], [3]. In
comparison to the seismic method, the use of electromagnetic
approaches has been very limited. In 1955, a Soviet scholar Tikhonov
and a French scholar Cagniard proposed a geophysical
exploration method called " Magnetotelluric (MT) Sounding, "
which employs natural alternating electromagnetic fields to
study the earth's electrical structure [2]-[4]. To address the
limitations like natural-field source randomness and a weak
signal associated with MT, D. W. Strangway and M. Goldstein
proposed a detection method using artificial sources (CSAMT)
in the early 1970s [5], [6].
Owing to the development of theoretical approaches
and the increasing demand for detection methods [7], [8],
electromagnetic detectors have been subjected to constant improvement
[9]. The Internet digital geophysical exploration
platform comprising " two widths and one height " (wide orientation,
broadband, high-resolution) that combines big data
and Internet technology has upended traditional geophysical
exploration production and management methods, leading
to developments in geophysical exploration instruments, including
increased intelligence, networking, three-dimensional
observation, and remote control [10], [11]. Seismic acquisition
technology has evolved through six stages, namely electron
tubes, transistors, conventional digital instruments, telemetry
seismometers, and all-digital seismometers, over the last century.
Currently, the most advanced seismic acquisition systems
include the French Sercel 508XT and the INOVA G3i HD system.
These systems enable the real-time acquisition of seismic
data from hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of channels
[12]-[15]. Internationally advanced electromagnetic acquisition
stations include the Phoenix's V8 acquisition system in
62
Canada and Zonge's GDP32 and EH4 systems in the United
States [16], which are well-known worldwide. Despite rapid
developments in science and technology, a single exploration
method can no longer cater to the multi-faceted needs of scientific
research. As a result, multi-method joint exploration
has been widely used to resolve ambiguity in the field of geophysics.
However, reports on joint acquisition instruments
employed worldwide are very limited. Currently, the KMS-85
series, launched by KMS in the United States, is the only example
of a multi-method joint exploration platform, and other
countries and companies do not have comparable products.
Thus, it is necessary to develop a high-quality seismo-electromagnetic
combined acquisition system to meet relevant
scientific research and market needs.
Fig. 1 shows the on-site construction method for seismic
and electromagnetic joint exploration. As shown in the figure,
the electromagnetic transmitter, also known as the artificial
seismic source, emits electromagnetic waves and vibration
signals underground through the emitter. The electromagnetic
data is then converted from the altered electromagnetic wave
reception assembly [17], [18]. Furthermore, the seismic acquisition
system converts the anomalous body's seismic waves
into seismic data, which is then calculated, analyzed, and inverted
to infer the underground material [19]. The current
study introduces a joint seismic and electromagnetic collection
station developed by our research team. The hardware circuit
design, software architecture, host computer monitoring,
power frequency suppression, and index parameters of the
collection station are discussed herein. Additionally, a discussion
of the fieldwork, data analysis, and comparative results
for the system are presented.
Seismic Electromagnetic Acquisition
Station
The seismic electromagnetic detection system with the distributed
data acquisition stations is aimed at the geophysical
exploration of diverse systems, including complex geological
conditions, terrains, and geomorphic environments [20].
The system exploits the advantages of similar, advanced
IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine
1094-6969/22/$25.00©2022IEEE
April 2022
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 25-2

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