Acoustic source characterization for a logging while drilling tool: Theoretical and experimental modeling.

The development of acoustic source technology has been an important task for acoustic logging while drilling (LWD) and various source designs have been implemented. Using a multipole wave expansion theory, this study demonstrates that a LWD acoustic source can be represented as a combination of monopole, dipole, and quadrupole constituents and characterized by the contribution of each constituent. The theoretical analysis is experimentally demonstrated with a cylindrical pipe simulating the LWD collar. The result of this study can be used to provide a method for evaluating the performance of a LWD acoustic source.