TECH SPOTLIGHT
Digging Deeper — Safer How custom ASICs enhance sensor performance in the oil and gas sector
unlike general-purpose ICs, ASICs can feature custom-designed architectures that improve sensor accuracy, reduce power consumption and incorporate advanced fault- tolerance mechanisms.
Electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference is common in electrically noisy settings such as topside platforms and subsea control modules. Analogue-to- digital converters, alongside noise filtering and signal processing, can be embedded into ASICs to combat this.
Oil tycoon, T. Boone Pickens once said, “success in the oil field is not measured by how deep you drill, but by how well you control the risks”. In the oil and gas sector, advanced sensor technology is not only allowing companies to drill deeper but do so safely. Here, Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at ASIC design and supply specialist Swindon Silicon Systems, explains how Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) enhance sensor performance.
The oil and gas industry relies on technology that’s built to withstand harsh conditions. In this sector,
robust sensor technology is vital for maintaining precision and optimising efficiency, while ensuring safety in an unforgiving environment.
Ensuring safety and precision In environments where failure can have catastrophic consequences, sensors provide critical data for predictive maintenance, real-time decision-making and operational optimisation. By monitoring temperature, pressure and vibration, sensors prevent failures that could jeopardise productivity and safety.
For instance, in downhole drilling operations, sensors monitor conditions where temperatures exceed 200 degrees Celsius and pressures surpass 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Real-time sensor data helps engineers detect anomalies such as transient pressure spikes — early indicators of potential well blowouts.
Advancing sensor performance with custom ASICs Maintaining sensor performance in these environments requires robust Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). This is because,
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Temperature resilience is also critical. ASICs can be built with Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials to provide thermal stability. SOI supports temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius, while SiC enables operation up to 600 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for deep-well drilling and geothermal exploration. Temperature compensation circuits can also be integrated to further ensure stable sensor readings in fluctuating thermal conditions.
In oil and gas applications, power is oſten limited. ASICs optimise energy efficiency to extend sensor lifespan by incorporating low-power circuitry, sleep modes and dynamic power scaling to reduce consumption. Additionally, integrated energy- harvesting technologies could enable autonomous sensor operation, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements.
From initial concept to manufacturing and testing, Swindon offers a full turnkey solution for designing and optimising ASICs. Each solution can be tailored to meet the performance, and reliability demands of the oil and gas sector.
As the oil and gas sector digs deeper, these advanced chips are advancing sensor performance. With the help of ASIC technology, industries can now operate at new depths, turning complex challenges into opportunities for innovation.
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