Communications in underground mining usingBroad Band Power Line Modem

Ervin HungNautitech Mining Systems

10th December 2015

Introduction – Data communications in underground coal

• Data communications an integral part of every mines operation

• Key factor of success• Growing importance• Improvements in communications benefits

• Logistics of people• Fleet optimisation• Contractor monitoring• Machine performance (monitoring)

Introduction – Data communications in underground coal (cont)

• Improvements in communications benefits (cont)• Automation• Efficiency• Productivity improvements

Current Solutions:

• Generally 2 types commonly used:• Wired

• Twisted pair, coax, CAT5, fibre optics, trailing cables etc

• Wireless• Radio (point to point and mesh), Wi-fi, Leaky

Feeders etc

Current Solutions (cont)

• Typical product technologies available• 2 way radios• VOIP phones• DACs• Cap lamps• Nodes/access points• Serial Powerline Modems• Broadband Powerline Modems• RF tracking tags• Etc.

Current Solutions (cont)

• Existing product technologies are proven and supported well

• Ideally, high bandwidth and coverage for areas currently with no / low coverage

• Current practices for roadway development: Access points along wall to boost Wi-Fi signal

• Laying Fibre

Case Study:

• Minesite:• Ensham Resources, Emerald QLD

• Brad Price - EEM

• Requirements:• Network connections – Wired equipment• Network connections – Wi-Fi equipment• Reliable provisions of network access• Support existing product technologies• Simple installation

Case Study (cont.):

• Solution:• Solution will have to fulfil 2 functional requirements:

• Surface to CM - Power line comms• Wi-Fi Hotspot around CM - Wi-Fi access point

• Combination of different but existing and proven comms technology

Case Study (cont.):

• Solution:• Characteristics of power line modems

• Reliable and high bandwidth• Uses existing trailing cable• Protected from mining environment

• Characteristics of Wi-Fi hotspots• Use of portable equipment without wires• Coverage in areas where it’s needed

Case Study (cont.):

• Solution:• Requirements catered for by 2 separate sub-systems

• Spitfire BPLM kit• I.S. Access point

• Proposed solution are• Technology well proven• Existing• Bolt on, no new approvals required• Readily available• Used extensively

Case Study (cont.):

• Main components: Powerline modem kit• Spitfire BPLM• Remote display assembly• Capacitive couplers• Power cable• Power-line bus cable• Long range Spitfire BPLM (Optional, for DCB if no

fibre exist between transformer to DCB)

Case Study (cont.):

• Main components: Wireless kit• I.S. PSU• I.S. NetPort Access Point• Media converter• Antenna• FRAS LMR 400 coax cable 5m M-M

Case Study (cont.):

• Advantages• Reduce cost of communications infrastructure

• No need for Wif-Fi infrastructure all along the roadway between DCB and Continuous miners

• Bring connectivity to the coal face with the CM• Increase data bandwidth• Consistent and reliable connections with no drop

outs in coverage around the CM

Case Study (cont.):

Trailing cable

BPLM Spitfire

VoIP phones, Cap lamps, RF tags etc through the I.S. access point.

Access point

Continuous Miner

Data transmitted to/from DCB over trailing cable

Mines FibreData to/from transformer *

Case Study (cont.):DCB

Access point

Data transmitted to/from CM over trailing cable

Case Study (cont.):

Mines Fibre

Data transmitted to/from DCB to transformer via fire *

Substation

Access point

1kV

Conclusion:

• The Spitfire BPLM Wifi solution installed at Ensham and the 1st system in the field for 12 weeks

• Physical layer data rate consistently around 50 Mbps with no drop outs

• Subsequently, a second system has been installed into another CM

• Ensham looking to extend the use of the BPLM wifi system into their other applications

Conclusion: Future applications and considerations

• Breaker / Feeder• Shuttle cars• Conveyors• Proximity detection system connectivity• Live video streaming• Data logging of machine state

• Production improvement• Fault analysis & Preventative maintenance• Diagnostics

Conclusion: Future applications and considerations

• CM automation• Instantaneous pointing and tilt information• Automated roadway alignments• Remote control from surface

Thank you