Patent attributes
A monitoring system is used to monitor the location and orientation of a downhole tool assembly by detecting an output signal. The downhole tool assembly has a beacon assembly with one or more configurable operation parameters. A transmitting assembly transmits a modulated instruction signal to the beacon assembly to configure the operation parameters. The modulated instruction signal is processed by the beacon assembly and the operation parameter is configured. The transmitting assembly may be separate from the monitoring system and have an input assembly. The input assembly allows the operator to input predetermined operation parameters into the transmitting assembly that are then transmitted to the beacon assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the configurable operation parameters may include the intensity and/or frequency of the output signal, the calibration and resolution of orientation sensors, and the rate at which data is transmitted from the beacon assembly.