Coal Mine Certification for Underground Digital Ne23 September 2010
Coal Mine Certification for Underground Digital Network
The I.S. Wireless Network Switch is a core component of our underground digital network
Mine Site Technologies’ ImPact Digital Network has been certified intrinsically safe by TestSafe for use in underground coal mines in Australia.
Extensively deployed in the hard rock mining industry and outbye areas in coal mines already, this certification will allow the digital network to be taken into working zones and remain operational even after a disruption to normal ventilation.
The Wireless Network Switches (WNS) form a key part of Wi-Fi based digital backbone. The 802.11 b/g/n network allows any Wi-Fi enabled devices to operate with the network, meaning a single backbone can provide much of a mine’s communication and data requirements. Two common applications for the digital network are tracking via RFID Tags and two-way communications via VoIP telephones. The former operates with the WNS units acting as Tag readers, whilst the latter uses the wireless signal from each WNS as the communication link between other phones underground or on the surface.
The IS WNS unit is one of the smallest and lightest, fully certified units available. Additionally it has high-end performance specifications, with the device including 4 Single Mode Fibre Switches, operating with one or two 802.11 b/g wireless access point radios, quick connect power and fibre connectors and input power range of 8 – 15 VDC.
The VoIP telephone handset, known as the MinePhone is in the final stages of certification. If it’s success in the United Sates, where MSHA approval was received several months ago, is replicated, than the use of the MinePhone should grow rapidly.
Finally MST wish to thank the support of many mining industry operators, who have been waiting for the certification for a number of months.
https://www.minesite.com.au/coal_mine_certification_for_underground_digital_network