Mechanical and electronic design for the U of C Seismic Physical Modelling Facility

Joe Wong, Kevin W. Hall, Eric V. Gallant, Malcolm B. Bertram

The University of Calgary Seismic Physical Modelling System has undergone significant upgrades. These upgrades include the implementation of a precise eight-axis positioning system based on modern linear electric motors, smaller piezoelectric transducers for ultrasonic sources and detectors, design of arrays of receiving and transmitting transducers, better high-voltage circuits for driving the source transducers, and improved amplifier electronics for the receivers. The various essential components have been combined mechanically and electronically in order to form a complete system that is able to automatically run acquisition experiments simulating high-fold 3D marine and land seismic surveys. Testing of the system, and integration with a master program for system control, are on-going.