Pipeline ELF Transmitter Design
Budget: $25 – $50 USD
I need a complete engineering solution for an ultra-low-frequency electromagnetic transmitter that operates at roughly 22 Hz and fits inside an inline pipeline PIG. Once the PIG is in service, the beacon’s field must be strong enough to be detected up 3–5 m above the pipe, even when the signal has to pass through steel wall, backfill, soil, and asphalt or reinforced concrete. All operations take place underground and fully enclosed by steel, so coil geometry, core selection, drive strategy, and noise rejection are critical.
Scope of Work:
• Design a low-frequency (~15–30 Hz, target 22 Hz) EM transmitter
• Optimize signal strength for underground detection
• Develop efficient antenna/coil design suitable for pipeline use
• Design low-power circuitry for long-duration operation
• Integrate battery-powered system (alkaline)
• Provide PCB design and component selection
• Prototype recommendations (preferred)
Key Requirements:
• Frequency: ~22 Hz (very low frequency)
• Detection range: 3–5 meters from the pipeline (measured from inside the pipe to the surface receiver)
• Operation time: 5 days to 1 months (battery optimized)
• Rugged design (pipeline environment: vibration, pressure, temperature)
• Compact size to fit inside PIG housing
• Stable and continuous signal emission
I am looking for someone who is comfortable working right down at ELF, has hands-on experience with ferrite or laminated cores, understands skin-depth losses in steel, and can back up their design decisions with simulations (COMSOL, ANSYS Maxwell, FEMM, or similar) and real-world bench testing. Knowledge of PCB layout for low-frequency magnetic circuits, low-noise drivers, and power-management techniques is equally important.
Key deliverables
• Electromagnetic model justifying range through steel and soil
• Schematics, PCB files, and BOM for the transmitter and driver electronics
• Mechanical layout that drops directly into a PIG cavity (I will provide envelope)
• Firmware or signal-generation logic if required
• Prototype build with bench measurements and a short field demonstration report showing ≥3 m surface detectability
• Final documentation package ready for manufacture
I will supply pipeline wall thickness, PIG dimensions, and any site-specific constraints once we start. Please outline similar ELF or sub-kHz projects you have completed, the simulation tools you plan to use, and an estimated timeline from concept to tested prototype.
Scope of Work:
• Design a low-frequency (~15–30 Hz, target 22 Hz) EM transmitter
• Optimize signal strength for underground detection
• Develop efficient antenna/coil design suitable for pipeline use
• Design low-power circuitry for long-duration operation
• Integrate battery-powered system (alkaline)
• Provide PCB design and component selection
• Prototype recommendations (preferred)
Key Requirements:
• Frequency: ~22 Hz (very low frequency)
• Detection range: 3–5 meters from the pipeline (measured from inside the pipe to the surface receiver)
• Operation time: 5 days to 1 months (battery optimized)
• Rugged design (pipeline environment: vibration, pressure, temperature)
• Compact size to fit inside PIG housing
• Stable and continuous signal emission
I am looking for someone who is comfortable working right down at ELF, has hands-on experience with ferrite or laminated cores, understands skin-depth losses in steel, and can back up their design decisions with simulations (COMSOL, ANSYS Maxwell, FEMM, or similar) and real-world bench testing. Knowledge of PCB layout for low-frequency magnetic circuits, low-noise drivers, and power-management techniques is equally important.
Key deliverables
• Electromagnetic model justifying range through steel and soil
• Schematics, PCB files, and BOM for the transmitter and driver electronics
• Mechanical layout that drops directly into a PIG cavity (I will provide envelope)
• Firmware or signal-generation logic if required
• Prototype build with bench measurements and a short field demonstration report showing ≥3 m surface detectability
• Final documentation package ready for manufacture
I will supply pipeline wall thickness, PIG dimensions, and any site-specific constraints once we start. Please outline similar ELF or sub-kHz projects you have completed, the simulation tools you plan to use, and an estimated timeline from concept to tested prototype.