A system with adaptive weight allocation algorithm for accuracy improving

Drilling processes in the oil industry utilize directional measurement-while-drilling (MWD) instruments to provide realtime monitoring of the position and the orientation of the bottom hole assembly (BHA). This article aims at describing a system and method incorporated with solid-state vibration angular rate sensors(SVARS) and accelerometers for improving the surveying accuracy. These sensors are mounted in a housing with their sensing axes generally parallel to one another and with their directions of least acceleration sensitivity generally spread out certain degrees. The survey tool further includes a controller with adaptive weight allocation algorithm to calculate a weighted average of the detected angular rotation rates from the plurality of rotation sensors. The adaptive weight allocation algorithm can significantly enhance surveying accuracy in the SVARS-based MWD surveying system.