MultiMode TwoWay Radio Communication and Tracking System for Use Under Emergency and Operational Con

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Multi-Mode Two-Way Radio Communicationand
Tracking System for Use UnderEmergency and
OperationalConditions in Underground Mines
Presented by Larry Stolarczyk, Sc.DStolar
Research Corporation848 Clayton HighwayRaton,
New Mexico 87740(505) 445-3607
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Methane Ignition and Coal Dust Explosion in Mine
Entry
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Mine-Wide Two-Way Radio Communications

• Mine-wide two-way Radio Communications are
  required during the first few minutes of an
  incident or the situation goes out of control.
• 1984 Wilburg Mine Fire
• 27 dead
• Only a 900-ft walk to safety
• 2002 Quecreek Water Inundation
• 9 trapped
• 2004 Sago Mine Explosion
• 12 dead
• Only an 1,800-ft walk to safety

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Radio Communications and Tracking System Features

• Wireless two-way transmission
• Natural waveguides
• Through-the-earth waveguide (ultra-low
  frequency)
• Conveyor belt/cable waveguide (low frequency)
• Coal seam waveguide (low frequency)
• Passageway waveguide (ultra-high frequency)
• Intrinsically safe
• Operational when ventilation is disrupted

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Radio Communications and Tracking System Features

• Three redundant tracking and location
  subsystems
• Real-time network with graphic display
• Surface Delta Tracker to pinpoint location
• In-mine fox hunter antenna
• Extremely reliable network
• F1/F1 repeater drilled into roof rock
• Expandable and self-healing
• Through-the-earth redundancy
• Modulated for digital transmission

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Radio Communications and Tracking System Features

• Cap lamp-powered tracking beacon
• Cap lamp transceiver
• Multi-mode
• Two-way text messaging
• Synthetic voice capability
• Bluetooth link to monitor physiological
  condition and provide PDA download

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Radio Communications andTracking System
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Tracking BeaconThrough-the-Earth Waveguide
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Tracking Beacon

• MSHA IS Certification Investigation IA-22294
• Keypad
• OLED
• Micro controller
• Class L Transmitter

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Ionospheric VLF Noise Spectrum

• Limits surface detection depth

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Destination Signal-to-Noise Ratio

• Depends on modulation methods 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Limits communication distance

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Earth-Air-Interference Transmission Loss vs.
Frequency
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Through-the-Earth WaveguideTotal Attenuation
Through1,500 ft of Overburden
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Through-the-Earth Waveguide
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Delta Tracker

• Suppresses surface radio frequency interference
  (RFI)
• Detects spreading EM waves
• Pinpoints trapped miners location

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Delta Tracker DetectingMine Voids
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Delta Tracker Response
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Rescue Team Communicates Through Coal-Seam
Waveguide UsingFox Hunter Antenna
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In-Seam Waveguide
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Fox Hunter Antenna
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Repeaters Installed AboveConveyor Belt
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Repeater Installation in Mine Entries Without
Electrical Conductors
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Conductor Calibration Curve
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Redundant Through-the-Earth Link
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F1/F1 Repeater

• MSHA approved as flame proof, MSHA
  approval number 18-A050003
• 1.66-in. OD for mounting in drill head
• Trickle charged for 48-hour standby
• LF band DT 2,400 bits per second
• Bluetooth link for PDA maintenance
• RadCAT network software

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Multi-Mode RadCATCap Lamp Beacon

• ULF Band _at_ 10 bits/second
• LF Band _at_ 2,400 bits/second
• UFF Band Bluetooth
• Text Message
• Synthetic Voice

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Hand-Held PDA Uploading Control Parameters and
Downloading Diagnostic Logs with the F1/F1
Repeater
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Class L Amplifier Circuit Boards
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Class L Amplifier Block Diagram
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Surface Network Computer and Graphics Display
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Relay Message Processing
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RadCAT Outperforms Its Competitors