Software development of an internet-of-things based controlled-source ultra-audio frequency electromagnetic receiver

Zhang, Xiyuan; Zhang, Qisheng; Lin, Zucan; Li, Huiying; Wang, Xinchang; Zhang, Hui

doi:10.5194/gi-14-379-2025

Articles | Volume 14, issue 2

https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-379-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-379-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 14, issue 2

Research article

|

28 Nov 2025

Research article |

| 28 Nov 2025

Software development of an internet-of-things based controlled-source ultra-audio frequency electromagnetic receiver

Xiyuan Zhang, Qisheng Zhang, Zucan Lin, Huiying Li, Xinchang Wang, and Hui Zhang

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Final revised paper (published on 28 Nov 2025)
Preprint (discussion started on 21 Jul 2025)

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

RC1:
'Comment on egusphere-2025-2970', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 Aug 2025

This manuscript presents an innovative IoT-integrated CSUMT-R system addressing critical limitations in traditional CSAMT instruments (e.g., shallow-layer resolution, data transmission, and user interactivity).

The work demonstrates rigorous design and novelty and is recommended for acceptance after minor revisions addressing the following points:

Instrument tests (Section 7):
Formula (4) for mean square relative error uses an undefined symbol A ̅；
Include the formula for self-consistency checks of CSUMT-R apparent resistivity data.

Ultra-wide band data transmission (Section 5):
The dynamic buffer DMA driver is a key innovation but lacks dedicated illustration. Replace Fig. 8 with a diagram explicitly detailing this mechanism.

Conclusions (Section 8):
Add an opening paragraph summarizing the core innovations.

Terminology consistency:
Unify the term for the monitoring software to "upper-computer" throughout (e.g., Section 6 uses "host").

Recommendation: Accept (Minor Revisions)

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2970-RC1
- AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Xiyuan Zhang, 04 Aug 2025
  
  The comment was uploaded in the form of a supplement: https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2025/egusphere-2025-2970/egusphere-2025-2970-AC1-supplement.pdf
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2970-AC1
CC1:
'Comment on egusphere-2025-2970', Lihua Liu, 03 Aug 2025
This study presents a well-designed IoT-based CSUMT-R software system with significant technical merits. To strengthen reproducibility and clarity of the core software contributions, the following revisions are required prior to acceptance:
Specify DMA buffer algorithm parameters:

Section 5 mentions buffer adjustment triggered when "STA/LTA deviates from the threshold range." To enable replication of the driver’s optimization logic, explicitly define the STA/LTA thresholds (e.g., specific ratio bounds or values) and the sampling window sizes used for dynamic buffer adjustment.
Increase instrument tests confidence:

Add a screenshot of the waveform display interface in the instrument testing section (Section 7).
Improve the visual interface of the upper-computer

Section 6 introduces the design of an SFTP-based file transfer function in the upper-computer software. To substantiate the implementation and user interaction, provide a screenshot of the software's SFTP transfer interface in action or a test result screenshot confirming successful transfer.
Clarify system architecture diagram

Figure. 7 attempts to illustrate both command transmission and data transmission flows. Currently, these distinct processes are visually intertwined, making the diagram difficult to interpret. Please clearly differentiate the command flow from the data flow within this figure.
Correct software description terminology

Revise the phrase "cloud- and IoT-based" to "cloud and IoT-based" (Section 8) to maintain grammatical precision in describing the software architecture.
These edits will significantly enhance the transparency, reproducibility, and visual clarity of the presented software methodology. I recommend acceptance of the manuscript pending satisfactory incorporation of the above revisions.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2970-CC1
- AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Xiyuan Zhang, 07 Aug 2025
  
  The comment was uploaded in the form of a supplement: https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2025/egusphere-2025-2970/egusphere-2025-2970-AC2-supplement.pdf
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2970-AC2
RC2:
'Comment on egusphere-2025-2970', Shengquan Zhang, 08 Oct 2025

This paper demonstrates significant innovation and practical value in electromagnetic exploration instrument design and software development. The technical methodology is sound, and experimental data robustly support the conclusions. Recommend acceptance after minor revisions.
Revision Suggestions：

1. Emphasis on Problem-Solving in Abstract/Introduction

- The abstract highlighted the instrument’s targeted improvements in three areas:

- Insufficient shallow-to-medium layer exploration accuracy

- Complex human-machine interaction

- Constrained data transmission

- Suggestion: Strengthen comparative analysis in the main text.
2. Clarify Field Test Configuration

- Provide detailed descriptions of the 242 measurement points (e.g., distribution, geophysical parameters).

- Suggestion: Enhance Figure 15 by including physical images of EH4 instruments for direct comparison.
3. Validation of Formula 4

- The mean square relative error (Formula 4) requires contextual validation:

- Is this metric industry-standard? Cite authoritative sources or domain-specific literature.

- Clarify its computational rationale if it is a novel metric.
4. Robustness of Instrument Comparison

- Figure 17 currently shows results from a single commercial instrument.

- Suggestion: Add comparison data from 1–2 additional instruments (e.g., V8, EH4) to enhance statistical credibility.
Future Recommendations

1. Enhanced Field Resilience

- Integrate BeiDou satellite messaging for data transmission in remote/extreme environments to ensure operational continuity.
2. Long-Term Reliability Testing

- Current field tests focus on functional validation. Future work should include long-term unattended operation data (e.g., stability over 6–12 months) to assess reliability under sustained use.
3. Methodological Expansion

- Extend the system’s applicability to other geophysical methods:

- Magnetotellurics (MT) for deep-structure imaging.

- Induced Polarization (IP) for mineral exploration.

- Rationale: Compatibility with multiple methods would broaden industrial utility.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2970-RC2
- AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Xiyuan Zhang, 30 Oct 2025
  
  The comment was uploaded in the form of a supplement: https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2025/egusphere-2025-2970/egusphere-2025-2970-AC3-supplement.pdf
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2970-AC3

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload

AR by Xiyuan Zhang on behalf of the Authors (03 Nov 2025) Author's response Author's tracked changes Manuscript

ED: Publish as is (06 Nov 2025) by David Barclay

AR by Xiyuan Zhang on behalf of the Authors (07 Nov 2025)

Short summary

We addressed limitations in mineral exploration tools: poor shallow-depth imaging, complex controls, and inefficient data transmission. Our solution combining advanced hardware and intelligent software, it ensures stable high-speed data flow, enables remote control/real-time viewing anywhere, and operates reliably in diverse field conditions. Successfully tested in a Chinese mining area, it provides geologists with a more powerful, user-friendly tool for underground mapping.