US Patent 8193946 Training for directional detection

Acoustic telemetry devices and methods that provide directional detection. In one embodiment, a disclosed acoustic telemetry device comprises at least two acoustic sensors and an electronics module. The electronics module combines the detection signals from the acoustic sensors to obtain a combined signal that substantially excludes signals propagating in a direction opposite to the communication signal. The disclosed systems and methods can be trained in the field and will readily accommodate an irregular and unknown signal transmission medium between the two acoustic sensors.