SN 388

The Complete Seismic Data Acquisition Solution

We are constantly updating the current technology offered by Sercel. This is evidenced by the release of the SU-B class Station Units (SU’s) which take the proven reliability of the original SN388 SU-1 and SU-6’s to a new level. Reliability that prompts an unprecedented 5 year warranty! In addition, we have developed numerous optional hardware and software packages over the years to provide you total pre and post shot quality control of every aspect of your spread. These include packages such as SQC-PRO that runs on an advanced UNIX Workstation directly interfaced to the SN388 Central Control Unit (CCU), Acquisition Processing Module (APM) or Portable Acquisition Module (PAM). SQC-PRO offers your operator a powerful tool for real-time quality assurance and quality control of seismic data at the recording site, without the need for any tape manipulation. Also available are packages for on-line, real-time Vibrator Quality Control (VQC) processing, real-time Vibrator DGPS, and Vehicle Tracking. These provide your operator with the ability to check and adjust vibrators position and source single parameters, as well as maintain the safest environment available for your crew. At Sercel we build on the concepts of advanced technology, reliability and quality control. We intend to do this without limitation to provide you with the most advanced, reliable and versatile seismic data acquisition products ever available. These products are designed to give you the best quality at the lowest price. We understand the challenges you face with every new day, and each new opportunity. It is a difficult task to continuously move your seismic crews into the opportunities of the future, and we at Sercel plan to move there with you!

These components are centred on an acquisition module that is the heart of the data acquisition process.

The SN388 Acquisition Processing Module (APM) provides the capability to acquire, stack and correlate data from a variety of Station Units (SU’s) designed to overcome most terrains. If environmental constraints limit or halt the use of a cable telemetry system, the SN388 can be coupled with the EAGLE88 Eagle Module (EM) to combine the benefits of cable and RF telemetry. For the largest 3D spreads, the SN388 can be configured with up to 16 - 1200 channel recording modules providing a total spread capacity of 19,200 channels. This is achievable at a 2ms sample rate, and the system’s maximum channel capacity expands to 38,400 at a 4ms sample rate. For projects demanding portable operations, the SN388 CCU can be packaged into the PAM portable case. This unit can be configured to acquire up to 1200 channels at a 2ms sample rate with an impulse source. Stacking and correlation are not required in this configuration.

Both the APM and PAM are designed around a pipe-line architecture to insure the fastest possible transfer of acquired data. This concept provides your crew the capability of non-stop data recording and line advancement regardless of type of source. To further support your operation we have designed the acquisition and recording modules to be interchangeable between the APM and PAM. So if the requirements of your project change from flatland to dense jungle, the SN388 is easily configured to handle both. The SN388 CCU can be equipped with an option of reel or cartridge tape drives, and digital camera for data recording and data acquisition monitoring. Data is recorded onto tape in SEG D format, and digital filtering may be performed on camera print out of recorded or playback data to allow review of trace data with the application of notch and/or bandpass filters.

Advanced Operator Interface To provide optimum control of the SN388 CCU, Sercel has based the Operator Interface on the powerful SUN workstation. This Human Computer Interface (HCI) provides the operator with the ability to simultaneously view several high resolution graphic screens, and control every aspect of the seismic spread. In portable mode, the HCI is configured as a laptop workstation for ease of transport. In addition, the HCI can be connected to a color printer to provide the capability of printing all spread parameters, as well as produce a hard copy of the daily production report. The SN388 HCI provides your crew operator with all necessary screens to both control and QC your spread. These screens consist of various informational displays showing data such as line and operations information. Real-Time QC With the advanced workstation design of the HCI your system can also be equipped with our SQC-PRO and Vehicle Tracking software to give you the most powerful field management tools available! SQC-PRO is an optional package offering a powerful tool for real-time QC of seismic data without slowing-down the production. In addition to the high resolution seismic record display SQC-PRO includes miscellaneous seismic attributes display. Vehicle tracking provides safety and efficient crew management. MRU is a Service Vehicle Tracking System providing real-time positioning and data link facilities betwen the Central Unit and the mobiles. In combined mode, the HCI is capable of controlling the RF spread with the above described screens while providing all the original capabilities of the SN388 system. Vibroseis For Vibroseis operations, the standard HCI software has the capability to perform complete remote control of the VE432 vibrator electronic parameters. For other types of vibrator control systems, remote control is achieved through the necessary handshake signals. During operations, the VE432 vibrator status information is received in realtime by the HCI for storage and Vibrator Quality Control (VQC) analysis. Combine this with the power of the SQC-PRO and Vehicle Tracking packages, and you have one of the most powerful and effective field management system available!

Field Units SN388 field recording units are designed to be both rugged and reliable, yet compact and efficient in order to allow your crew to complete all their projects in minimum time. All units are packaged into sealed, waterproof aluminum cast cases, and can operate in a temperature range from -40 °C to 70 °C. Designed with a focus on ease of transport, the SN388 field units do not have a battery pack attached. Direct connection to the recording truck and to adjoining lines is accomplished through a Crossing Station Unit (CSU). From each of these extends a line or lines of Station Units (SU’s) with power regenerated down the line by Power Station Units (PSU’s) are spaced at required intervals and connected to a standard 12 volt battery. For long distances between lines and obstacles prohibiting cable connection, optional repeater and microwave link units are available. The SU-B class Station Units can be configured for either 1 or 6 channel recording capacity. The SU1-B gives your seismic crew spread coverage that provides maximum data resolution and equipment portability. The SU6-B provides easier coverage of large 3D spreads, and a lower cost per channel. The SU-B class of Station Units takes reliability to a new level with a 5 year warranty! Also available with the B class Station Units is the PSU6-B which combines the functions of the PSU and the SU6-B to provide line coverage and power regeneration without the need for two separate units. Along with being compact, rugged and reliable on land and in transition zones, the SU-B class field units can be configured for submersible use up to a depth of 50 feet (15m). The submersible version is available in Station Units (SU1-B/S and SU6-B/S), Crossing Station Units (CSU/S), Power Supply Units (PSU/S and PSU6-B/S), and both Repeater and Transverse Repeater Units (RU/S and TRU/S). Also available are 12 Volt power packs in a submersible housing. A specially designed group of cables and connectors makes your project as reliable underwater as it is on land, and a simple back to back adapter makes these units fully compatible with our land system, all on a single line. In addition, standard land units are easily converted to submersible. Should your recording requirements take you into water beyond the depth capabilities of the submersible field units, we provide the BU-6 Bay-Cable Unit. This unit can operate in depths up to 160 feet (50m). With these options, your SN388 system can be used to cover most terrains, and when coupled with the RF telemetry EAGLE88 ECM, there’s absolutely nothing to stop your crew on any seismic project!

A major driving force of today’s seismic acquisition projects is undoubtedly the need for quicker coverage of ever larger 3D spreads, higher data resolution, and reduced cost by kilometer. This need is compounded by the extremely difficult terrain in which many large 3D surveys are now being carried out. Today’s seismic crews must use the lightest, smallest and most reliable equipment available to remain competitive to ensure completion of projects in the shortest possible time. This equipment must be highly portable, simple to deploy, quick to test and easy to move, yet it must be rugged enough to endure the rigors of the world’s harshest environments. Now Sercel has developed the SN388 SU1-UL and SU1-ULS “Ultralight” Station Units for land and shallow-waters. Approximately one third the size and one half the weight of the SU1-B, the Ultralight Station Units are the smallest and lightest, seismic acquisition field units ever built. SU1-UL and SU1-ULS measuring respectively only 9.4” (240mm) and 10” (255 mm) long by 4.8” (123mm) and 5.7” (145 mm) wide by 2.7” (68mm) and 3.4” (88 mm) high, and weighing in at a mere 3.2 pounds (1.5 kg) and 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg), with a kevlar enforced cable only .31 inches (8mm) in diameter, the Ultralight provide your seismic crews with the ultimate in speed and flexibility when it comes to deployment and roll along. Yet when it comes to reliability, the Ultralight provide the endurance and proven performance capabilities of the SU-B Station Unit. The portability of the new single channel Sercel SN388 SU1-UL and SU1-ULS Ultralight provides you with the most sophisticated and cost effective 3D seismic acquisition system available.

Options and test equipment
The Transverse Repeater Unit (TRU) is used to allow uninterrupted data transfer to the CCU between lines and lines with gaps that exceed 2600 feet (800m). For obstacles preventing the deployment of cables such as rivers, lakes and no permit zones, the SN388 system can bridge this gap with a Microwave Link (MWL). This unit is capable of transmission up to an average range of 10,000 feet (3000m), and can withstand the same environmental conditions as all other SN388 components. A wide variety of cables, connectors and adapters are available to complete your spread, move around obstacles, and change terrain. You define the project, and we will provide the equipment. Sercel has developed test devices to assist your crew in expediting deployment and troubleshooting. The LT388 Line Tester enables field personnel to check the integrity of all line devices without the need of operator or CCU interaction. The TMS388 Test and Maintenance System is designed to test and troubleshoot all SN388 field units.