Patent ID: 11905827
Assignee: HIGHSIDE CARBIDE CANADA LTD.
Field: Digital communication (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC E  G  H | IPC E  G  H

Claim 0:
1. A method comprising:
installing a plurality of pairs of ground stakes in the earth, with each pair of the plurality of pairs of ground stakes at a respective distance from a local receiver located at or near a drilling rig;
measuring, by a first remote transmitter, an electric potential between a first pair of the plurality of pairs of ground stakes, the electric potential between the first pair providing a first analog signal;
converting, by the first remote transmitter, the first analog signal into a first digital signal that represents the electric potential between the first pair, the first digital signal having a first signal strength;
measuring, by a second remote transmitter, an electric potential between a second pair of the plurality of pairs of ground stakes, the second pair being spaced apart from the first pair, the electric potential between the second pair providing a second analog signal;
converting, by the second remote transmitter, the second analog signal into a second digital signal that represents the electric potential between the second pair, the second digital signal having a second signal strength; and
one of:
(a) comparing, by the first and second remote transmitters, the first and second signal strengths to determine which of the first and second signal strengths is greater; and if the first signal strength is greater, transmitting, by the first remote transmitter, the first digital signal wirelessly to the local receiver; or if the second signal strength is greater, transmitting, by the second remote transmitter, the second digital signal wirelessly to the local receiver; and
(b) transmitting, by the first and second remote transmitters, the first and second digital signals wirelessly to the local receiver; and comparing, by the local receiver, the first and second signal strengths to determine which of the first and second signal strengths is greater.