METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A DOWNHOLE TOOL

A downhole processing apparatus for controlling a downhole tool in a well can include a downhole processing device providing a first timing operation and a second timing operation; the first timing operation being associated with a first downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a signal sent via a first transmission mechanism; the second timing operation being associated with a second downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a signal sent via a second transmission mechanism; a data storage device capable of storing data received from the first and second downhole sensors; and the downhole processing device being adapted to be triggered by the first and second timing operations to check the data storage device, at least once during the respective first and second timing operations, for data received from the first and/or second downhole sensors and the downhole processing device being adapted to act upon that data to control the downhole tool if instructed to do so.