Patent Publication Number: US-11028688-B2

Title: Optical splash communication in downhole applications

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a U.S. National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/US2016/041725 filed Jul. 11, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to well drilling operations and, more particularly, to an optical splash communication system for communication between different downhole tools. 
     Hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas, are commonly obtained from subterranean formations that may be located onshore or offshore. The development of subterranean operations and the processes involved in removing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation are complex. Typically, subterranean operations involve a number of different steps such as, for example, drilling a wellbore at a desired well site, treating the wellbore to optimize production of hydrocarbons, and performing the necessary steps to produce and process the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. Measurements of the subterranean formation may be made throughout the operations to characterize the formation and aide in making operational decisions. In certain instances, a communication interface of a downhole tool may be used to communicate data associated with measurements of the formation or other downhole parameters. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       Some specific exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be understood by referring, in part, to the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an illustrative logging while drilling environment, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an illustrative wireline logging environment, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an optical splash communication system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of an optical splash communication system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of an optical splash communication system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of an end portion of a downhole tool comprising an optical splash communication system, according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of an information handling system, according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram for QAM modulation of an optical splash signal, according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram for an optical communication system, according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communication with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. It may also include one or more interface units capable of transmitting one or more signals to a controller, actuator, or like device. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, for example, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (for example, a hard disk drive or floppy disk drive), a sequential access storage device (for example, a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
     Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail herein. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made to achieve the specific implementation goals, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would, nevertheless, be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. 
     To facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, the following examples of certain embodiments are given. In no way should the following examples be read to limit, or define, the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to horizontal, vertical, deviated, or otherwise nonlinear wellbores in any type of subterranean formation. Embodiments may be applicable to injection wells as well as production wells, including hydrocarbon wells. Embodiments may be implemented using a tool that is made suitable for testing, retrieval and sampling along sections of the formation. Embodiments may be implemented with tools that, for example, may be conveyed through a flow passage in tubular string or using a wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, downhole robot or the like. “Measurement-while-drilling” (“MWD”) is the term generally used for measuring conditions downhole concerning the movement and location of the drilling assembly while the drilling continues. “Logging-while-drilling” (“LWD”) is the term generally used for similar techniques that concentrate more on formation parameter measurement. Devices and methods in accordance with certain embodiments may be used in one or more of wireline (including wireline, slickline, and coiled tubing), downhole robot, MWD, and LWD operations. 
     The terms “couple” or “couples” as used herein are intended to mean either an indirect or a direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect mechanical or electrical connection via other devices and connections. Similarly, the term “communicatively coupled” as used herein is intended to mean either a direct or an indirect communication connection. Such connection may be a wired or wireless connection such as, for example, Ethernet or LAN. Such wired and wireless connections are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and will therefore not be discussed in detail herein. Thus, if a first device communicatively couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect communication connection via other devices and connections. 
     Copper wires may be used within a downhole tool to communicate between electrical components and electrical tools. However, copper wires are prone to degrading over time along with the connectors used to connect multiple tools together. Providing an optical splash communication system that is independent of any cables or fibers reduces failures of enclosure or tool due to breakage or connector failures. Further, optical splash communications may not be affected by the presence of electric or magnetic fields that typically cause interference with signals sent over copper cabling. Using optical splash signals for communication effectively immunizes the optical splash communication system from inductive coupling, electromagnetic interference, and ground loops. In some embodiments, visible light is used to communicate data between downhole electrical components which minimizes the risk of detection of the data by unauthorized or unintended users. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide for downhole communications that are reliable and able to withstand the downhole environment. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a subterranean drilling system  100 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The drilling system  100  comprises a drilling platform  2  positioned at the surface  102 . In the embodiment shown, the surface  102  comprises the top of a formation  104  containing one or more rock strata or layers  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c , and the drilling platform  2  may be in contact with the surface  102 . In other embodiments, such as in an off-shore drilling operation, the surface  102  may be separated from the drilling platform  2  by a volume of water. 
     The drilling system  100  comprises a derrick  4  supported by the drilling platform  2  and having a traveling block  6  for raising and lowering a drill string  8 . A kelly  10  may support the drill string  8  as it is lowered through a rotary table  12 . A drill bit  14  may be coupled to the drill string  8  and driven by a downhole motor and/or rotation of the drill string  8  by the rotary table  12 . As bit  14  rotates, it creates a borehole  16  that passes through one or more rock strata or layers  18 . A pump  20  may circulate drilling fluid through a feed pipe  22  to kelly  10 , downhole through the interior of drill string  8 , through orifices in drill bit  14 , back to the surface via the annulus around drill string  8 , and into a retention pit  24 . The drilling fluid transports cuttings from the borehole  16  into the pit  24  and aids in maintaining integrity or the borehole  16 . 
     The drilling system  100  may comprise any number and types of downhole tools. In one or more embodiments, a bottom hole assembly (BHA)  40  coupled to the drill string  8  near the drill bit  14  may comprise one or more downhole tools. The BHA  40  may comprise various downhole measurement tools and sensors and LWD and MWD elements, including an optical splash communication system  26 . In one or more embodiments, optical splash communication system  26  may be located anywhere along the drill string  8  and within or coupled to any tool. As will be described in detail below, the optical splash communication system  26  may communicate data between one or more components of a tool or between one or more components of one or more tools. 
     The tools and sensors of the BHA  40  including the optical splash communication system  26  may be communicably coupled to a telemetry element  28 . The telemetry element  28  may transfer data from the optical splash communication system  26  to a surface receiver  30  and/or to receive commands from the surface receiver  30 . The telemetry element  28  may comprise a mud pulse telemetry system, and acoustic telemetry system, a wired communications system, a wireless communications system, or any other type of communications system that would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. In certain embodiments, some or all of the data provided by the optical communication system  26  may also be stored downhole for later retrieval at the surface  102 . 
     In certain embodiments, the drilling system  100  may comprise an information handling system  32  positioned at the surface  102 . The information handling system  32  may be communicably coupled to the surface receiver  30  and may receive data from the optical splash communication system  26  and/or transmit commands to the optical splash communication system  26  through the surface receiver  30 . The information handling system  32  may also receive data from any component of the BHA  40  or any one or more downhole tools of the drill string  8  when retrieved at the surface  102 . As will be described below, the information handling system  32  may process the data to determine certain characteristics of the formation  104 , including the location and characteristics of fractures within the formation  104  or any other downhole information. 
     At various times during the drilling process, the drill string  8  may be removed from the borehole  16  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Once the drill string  8  has been removed, measurement/logging operations can be conducted using a wireline tool  34 , for example, an instrument that is suspended into the borehole  16  by a cable  15  having conductors for transporting power to the tool and telemetry from the tool body to the surface  102 . The wireline tool  34  may include an optical splash communication system  26 . The optical splash communication system  26  may be communicatively coupled to the cable  15 . A logging facility  44  (shown in  FIG. 2  as a truck, although it may be any other structure) may collect data from the optical splash communication system  26 , and may include computing facilities (including, for example, an information handling system) for controlling, processing, storing, and/or visualizing the data gathered by the optical splash communication system  26 . The computing facilities may be communicatively coupled to the optical splash communication system  26  by way of the cable  15 . In certain embodiments, the information handling system  32  may serve as the computing facilities of the logging facility  44 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of an optical splash communication system  26 . In one or more embodiments of the present invention, different electrical elements  310  and  312  may communicate with each other via an optical splash signal  340 . The electrical elements  310  and  312  may be enclosed within a downhole tool, such as BHA  40 , that is water-tight and filled with air. In one or more embodiments, each of the electrical elements  310  and  312  may be equipped with a light source  322 ,  320  including, but not limited to, a light-emitting diode (LED), a laser or any other suitable light source and a detector  332 ,  330  including, but not limited to, a photo diode or any other suitable light detector. For example, the electrical element  312  may transmit data via a light signal  340  by emitting modulated light. The detector  330  may receive the data by detecting the light signal  340 . In one or more embodiments, the electrical elements  310  and  312  comprise a bidirectional communication system such that each electrical element  310  and  312  may both emit a light signal  340  and may receive a transmitted light signal  340 . The light signal may be emitted, for example, in an omidirectional beam-pattern ensuring that some light from the light source  322  will reach the detector  330  without requiring any alignment. At least one inner space exists between electrical elements  310  and  312 , for example, inner space  360 . In one or more embodiments, optical splash signal  340  is transmitted via free space or independent of a fiber optic cable or fiber optic line. In one or more embodiments, the optical splash signal  340  may be a visible light signal. In one or more embodiments, the optical splash signal  340  may be emitted by an infrared LED. 
     In one or more embodiments, any one or more of the electrical elements  310  and  312  may comprise any one or more of light sources  320 ,  322  and detectors  330 ,  332 . In one or more embodiments, the light source  320  or  322  may also act as a detector  330 ,  332 . For example, a light source  320  may be an LED that emits light and receives light. In one or more embodiments, electrical element  310  may be moved, adjusted, or otherwise altered in relation to electrical element  312  without disrupting the communication of the optical splash signal  340  between the electrical elements  310  and  312 . 
     In one or more embodiments, digital data is encoded in the optical splash signal  340 . For example, digital data received downhole from one or more sensors or receivers  110  may be encoded in the optical splash signal  340 . Sensors or receivers  110  may be located at any downhole tool and may be located at or near drill bit  14 , wireline tool  34 , within optical splash communication system  26 , or any other suitable location. The encoded data may comprise one or more downhole parameters, drilling parameter, formation parameters, determined parameters, ranging parameters, any other downhole formation, or any combination thereof. For example, the encoded data may comprise a temperature, velocity of drilling, a speed of drilling, an angle of drilling, a rotation of drilling, a parameter associated with a target object, a resistivity measurement, or any other downhole information. One or more drilling parameters or drilling operations may be adjusted, based, at least in part on the encoded data. 
     The encoding may comprise any number of approaches or schemes, including lower data rate schemes such as Morse Code or higher data rate schemes such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). For example, using QAM, the power p which an LED emits at the time t is: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         
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     Each of the α n (t) and β n (t) may be set to M discrete power levels p 1 , p 2 , . . . p M . Each of these power levels may be calculated as 
               p   m     =       (     m   -     M   2     -     1   2       )     ⁢   q           
and q should be chosen in such a way that qMN≲p 0 . Thus, there are N subcarriers and each of them transmits log 2 (M 2 ) bits per symbol as illustrated in the constellation diagram of  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 8 , the constellation diagram is for a rectangular 16-QAM, where M=4 and each of the sixteen possible symbols corresponds to 4 bits of information. In other embodiments, a non-rectangularity constellation may be used. The sub-carrier frequencies f 1 , f 2 , . . . , f N  could be chosen in such a way that crosstalk is reduced through orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.
 
     In one or more embodiments, K different colors of light may be used. For example, red, green and blue LEDs corresponding to K=3 may be used. Each of these light colors acts as a different carrier and all may independently be modulated with QAM. A total of KN log 2 (M 2 ) bits may be transmitted at the same time. With K=3 light colors, ten subcarriers for each of the light colors, and using 16-QAM with M 2 =16 and M=4, then KN log 2 (M 2 )=3×10 log 2 (16)=120 bits at once may be transmitted. In any one or more embodiments, K, N, and M may be increased to increase the data rate. 
     On occasion, multi-path interference may occur. For example, if two different paths with a path length difference of ΔL contribute equal power to the detected signal, then the subcarrier with a frequency of 
             c     2   ⁢   Δ   ⁢   L           
disappears. Other subcarriers may be used and therefore it is not significant if one specific subcarrier becomes useless due to multipath interference. Also, if the total size of the system through which the data is transmitted is much smaller than the shortest subcarrier wavelength
 
               c     f   n       ,         
then multipath interference is unlikely to cause any significant problems. Standard error correction procedures may then be used as is typical in digital communications links.
 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another diagram of an optical splash communication system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. An element  410  partially obstructs the path of optical splash signal  340 . Element  410  may be any type of obstruction, tools, component, device, material or other obstacle. The optical splash signal  340  is reflected from an inner surface or wall of the BHA  40  to electrical element  310 . In one or more embodiments, the inner wall of a downhole tool or the BHA  40  is painted with a coating that reflects any light such as a specular and diffusive white reflective coating. An inner space  460  allows an optical splash signal  340  to be transmitted and received in free space between the electrical elements  310  and  312 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of an optical splash communication system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Downhole tool  580  comprises electrical element  510  and downhole tool  590  comprises electrical elements  310  and  312 . Downhole tools  580  and  590  may be coupled together via a coupler  540 . The coupler  540  may comprise one or more electrical connections or terminals to electrically connect the downhole tools  580  and  590 . The coupler  540  may be any type of component that joins or bonds the downhole tools  580  and  590 . For example, the coupler  540  may be a high pressure hybrid connector. In one or more embodiments, the coupler  540  may be a plug and window that allows for the transmission of power (for example, electricity) to flow between the downhole tools  580  and  590 . 
     The downhole tools  580  and  590  may have an opening  550  that permits an optical splash signal  340  to be transmitted and received in free space between any one or more of the electrical elements  310 ,  312 , and  510 . In one or more embodiments, the coupler  540  may comprise opening  550 . For example, coupler  540  may be a plug with a window. The opening  550  may be an aperture, a hole, a window, a sealed transparent material (including, but not limited to, glass or sapphire) or any other type of opening that permits the optical splash signal  340  to be communicated between the downhole tools  590  and  580 . For example, in one or more embodiments, to ensure a fluid-free or water-tight enclosure, the opening  550  creates a seal such that no drilling mud or other absorptive dirt within the formation  104 , borehole  16 , or any other downhole location penetrates any inner space such as, inner spaces  360 ,  460 ,  560  and  570 , that the optical splash signal  340  travels. 
     The downhole tool  580  comprises an inner space  570  that surrounds the electrical element  510 . Electrical element  510  may comprise a light source  520  and a detector  530 . Downhole tool  590  may comprise an inner space  560  that surrounds the electrical elements  310  and  312 . The optical splash signal  340  may be transmitted and received within any one or more of the inner spaces  570  and  560 . Any one or more of the electrical elements  310 ,  312 , and  510  may transmit or receive an optical splash  340 . For example, in one embodiment, the light source  322  at electrical element  312  may directly transmit the optical splash signal  340  via free space through inner space  560 , through the opening  550 , through inner space  570  and to the detector  530 . Likewise, bidirectional communication may be permitted such that light source  520  may transmit the optical splash signal  340  via free space through inner space  570 , through the opening  550 , and through inner space  560  to the detector  332 . In one or more embodiments, the optical splash signal may be first transmitted to detector  330  of electrical element  310  from any other electrical element and then electrical element  310  may retransmit via light source  320  the optical splash signal to any other electrical element. In one or more embodiments, any one or more of electrical elements  510 ,  310 , and  312  may communicate with each other. 
     In one or more embodiments, electrical elements  510 ,  310 , and  312  may not be operable to communicate with any one or more of the other electrical elements. In one or more embodiments, electrical element  510  may only be operable to communicate (for example, transmit or receive optical light signal  340 ) with electrical element  310 . In one or more embodiments, electrical element  312  may only be operable to communicate (for example, transmit or receive optical splash signal  340 ) with electrical element  310 . In one or more embodiments, electrical element  310  may communicate with both electrical element  312  and electrical element  510  but electrical element  312  and electrical element  510  may not be operable to communicate with each other. In one or more embodiments, electrical elements  510 ,  310 , and  312  may communicate data associated with one or more downhole sensors or receivers  110  via optical splash signal  340 . Any one or more of electrical elements  310 ,  312 , and  510  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 ) may communicate or transmit the data to a downhole storage or to an information handling system  32 , logging facility  44  or any other computing device. 
     In one or more embodiments, multiple electrical elements such as electrical elements  510 ,  310 , and  312  may independently transmit data, for example, may transmit an optical splash signal  340  that carries data to one other electrical element. To prevent interference or to differentiate between the these independent transmissions, each electrical element may emit different colors of light. For example, electrical element  510  may comprise a light source  520  that emits a first color of light, electrical element  310  may comprise a light source  320  that emits a second color of light, and electrical element  312  may comprise a light source  322  that emits a third color of light. Besides using different colors of light, in one or more embodiments, interference may be eliminated by time division multiplexing, by using different subcarriers for the optical splash signal emitted, by any other suitable way, or any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of an end portion, a top or a bottom, of a downhole tool that comprises an optical splash communication system, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a downhole tool such as BHA  40  comprises one or more openings  550  and a rotational joint  610 . The rotational joint  610  permits coupled downhole tools to rotate independently of the relative rotation of any other coupled downhole tool. For example, the alignment of any two or more downhole tools may be altered in relation to each other. As any one or more of the downhole tools are rotated, the openings  550  of each downhole tool may align in such a manner that a light, such as optical splash signal  340 , may be transmitted or received between the downhole tools. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example information handling system  700 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The information handling system  32  or the logging facility  44  may take a form similar to the information handling system  700 . A processor or central processing unit (CPU)  701  of the information handling system  700  is communicatively coupled to a memory controller hub or north bridge  702 . The processor  701  may include, for example a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. Processor  701  may be configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions or other data retrieved and stored in any memory such as memory  703  or hard drive  707 . Program instructions or other data may constitute portions of a software or application for carrying out one or more methods described herein. Memory  703  may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), solid state memory, or disk-based memory. Each memory module may include any system, device or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (for example, computer-readable non-transitory media). For example, instructions from a software or application may be retrieved and stored in memory  703  for execution by processor  701 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to  FIG. 7  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,  FIG. 7  shows a particular configuration of components of information handling system  700 . However, any suitable configurations of components may be used. For example, components of information handling system  700  may be implemented either as physical or logical components. Furthermore, in some embodiments, functionality associated with components of information handling system  700  may be implemented in special purpose circuits or components. In other embodiments, functionality associated with components of information handling system  700  may be implemented in configurable general purpose circuit or components. For example, components of information handling system  700  may be implemented by configured computer program instructions. 
     Memory controller hub  702  may include a memory controller for directing information to or from various system memory components within the information handling system  700 , such as memory  703 , storage element  706 , and hard drive  707 . The memory controller hub  702  may be coupled to memory  703  and a graphics processing unit  704 . Memory controller hub  702  may also be coupled to an I/O controller hub or south bridge  705 . I/O hub  705  is coupled to storage elements of the information handling system  700 , including a storage element  706 , which may comprise a flash ROM that includes a basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer system. I/O hub  705  is also coupled to the hard drive  707  of the information handling system  700 . I/O hub  705  may also be coupled to a Super I/O chip  708 , which is itself coupled to several of the I/O ports of the computer system, including keyboard  709  and mouse  710 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow diagram for an optical splash communication system according to one or more aspects of the present invention. At step  902 , a downhole tool is deployed or positioned downhole, for example, within a borehole  16  in subterranean formation  104 . The downhole tool may comprise a plurality of electrical elements, for example, electrical elements  310 ,  312 , or  510 . In one or more embodiments, the electrical elements may be configured as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5  or any other suitable configuration. 
     At step  904 , a first electrical element transmits a first optical splash signal via free space into an inner space, for example, an inner space  360 ,  460 ,  560 , or  570 . The inner space may be any one or more inner spaces and the inner spaces may be positioned within in any one or more downhole tools. When the first optical splash signal is transmitted between an inner space of multiple downhole tools, the downhole tools may be coupled together in such a manner as to permit the first optical splash signal to be transmitted between the downhole tools. At step  906 , digital downhole data is encoded onto the first optical splash signal. For example, data from one or more receivers or sensor deployed downhole, for example, as part of the downhole tool, are received and this data is encoded onto the first optical splash signal. 
     At step  908 , the first optical splash signal is received via free space at the second electrical element. The first optical splash signal may be received directly from the first electrical element, via third electrical element or after bouncing off of an inner surface of any one or more downhole tools. At step  910 , the encoded digital downhole data is transmitted to the surface  102 , for example, to an information handling system  32  via the first optical splash signal. At step  912 , any one or more drilling parameters are adjusted. In one or more embodiments, the adjustment may be based, at least in part, on the encoded digital downhole data. In one or more embodiments, the information handling system  32  may communicate a command to the downhole tool or any other downhole component to adjust any one or more drilling parameters. 
     In one or more embodiments, at least one downhole tool is positioned within a borehole in a subterranean formation, wherein the at least one downhole tool comprises at least one inner space in which a first electrical element and a second electrical element are positioned. A first optical splash signal is transmitted from the first electrical element via free space into the at least one inner space and the first optical splash signal is received via free space at the second electrical element. 
     In one or more embodiments, the at least one downhole tool comprises a single downhole tool comprising a single inner space in which the first electrical element and the second electrical element are positioned. In one or more embodiments, the at least one downhole tool comprises a first downhole tool with a first inner space and a second downhole tool with a second inner space, the first electrical element is positioned within the first inner space, e second electrical element is positioned within the second inner space, and the first and second downhole tools comprise at least one opening to facilitate transmission of the first optical flash signal from the first inner space to the second inner space. In one or more embodiments, the at least one opening comprises at least one sealed window in the first downhole tool and at least one sealed window in the second downhole tool. In one or more embodiments, the at least one sealed window in the first downhole tool and at least one sealed window in the second downhole tool are positioned to align when the first downhole tool and the second downhole tool rotate with respect to one another. 
     In one or more embodiments, the first optical splash signal is retransmitted as a second optical splash signal into the at least one inner space from the second electrical element and the second optical splash signal is received at a third electrical element positioned within the at least one inner space. In one or more embodiments, the first optical splash signal comprises visible light. 
     In one or more embodiments, a downhole tool comprises a first electrical element, a second electrical element, wherein the first electrical element and the second electrical element are positioned within at least one inner space, and a first optical splash signal, wherein the first optical splash signal is transmitted from the first electrical element into the at least one inner space to the second electrical element via free space. In one or more embodiments, the at least one downhole tool comprises a single downhole tool comprising a single inner space in which the first and second electrical elements are positioned. In one or more embodiments, the downhole tool further comprises at least one opening, wherein the at least one downhole tool comprises a first downhole tool with a first inner space and a second downhole tool with a second inner space, wherein the first electrical element is positioned within the first inner space, wherein the second electrical element is positioned within the second inner space, and wherein the first downhole tool and the second downhole tool comprise the at least one opening to facilitate transmission of the first optical splash signal from the first inner space to the second inner space. In one or more embodiments, the at least one opening comprises at least one sealed window in the first downhole tool and at least one sealed window in the second downhole tool. In one or more embodiments, the at least one sealed window in the first downhole tool and at least one sealed window in the second downhole tool are positioned to align when the first downhole tool and the second downhole tool rotate with respect to one another. 
     In one or more embodiments the downhole tool further comprises a third electrical element positioned within the at least one inner space, wherein the third electrical element receives a second optical splash signal, wherein the second optical flash signal comprises a retransmission of the first optical splash signal into the at least one inner space from the second electrical element. In one or more embodiments, the first electrical element comprises a first detector and a first light source, the second electrical element comprises a second detector and a second light source, the first light source generates the first optical splash signal and the second detector receives the first optical splash signal. 
     In one or more embodiments, downhole data is communicated between elements of a downhole tool by deploying a downhole tool downhole, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first electrical element and a second electrical element, maintaining bidirectional communication between the first electrical element and the second electrical element via a first optical splash signal, encoding digital downhole data from one or more receivers of the downhole tool in the first optical splash signal, transmitting the first optical splash signal, from the first electrical element to the second electrical element, via free space into at least one inner space, wherein the first electrical element and the second electrical element are disposed within the at least one inner space, transmitting the encoded digital downhole data via the first optical splash signal to an information handling system, and adjusting one or more drilling parameters based, at least in part, on the encoded digital downhole data transmitted via the first optical splash signal. In one or more embodiments, the encoding the digital downhole data comprises quadrature amplitude modulation. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method of communicating downhole data between elements of a downhole tools further comprises receiving a second optical splash signal by the third electrical element, via free space into the at least one inner space, wherein the first electrical element, the second electrical element, and the third electrical element are disposed within the at least one inner space and differentiating the second optical splash signal from the first optical splash signal to ensure that the first optical splash signal does not interfere with the second optical splash signal. In one or more embodiments, transmitting the first optical splash signal comprises reflecting the first optical splash signal by an inner wall of the downhole tool. In one or more embodiments, the method of communicating downhole data between elements of a downhole tools further comprises rotating a rotational joint, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first downhole tool and a second downhole tool, wherein rotating the rotational joint alters an alignment of the first downhole tool in relation to the second downhole tool, and wherein the first optical splash signal is transmitted through an opening between the first downhole tool and the second downhole tool. In one or more embodiments, the first electrical element comprises a first light source and a first detector, wherein the second electrical element comprises a second light source and a second detector, wherein the first optical splash signal is generated by a first light source of the first electrical element, and wherein the first optical splash signal is received by a second detector of the second electrical element. 
     Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. The indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.