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Active Control unveils breakthrough "Starfish(TM)" feature for ActiveMine wireless communications system
Unique feature allows miners to stay in contact even if isolated by
accident or explosion
TSX-V: ACT
TORONTO, May 6 /CNW/ - Active Control Technology Inc. (TSX-V:ACT)
announced today a major enhancement of ActiveMine(TM), the premier wireless
communications and locating system for mines, that represents a breakthrough
in underground mining communications.
The new feature, called "Starfish(TM)," for the first time makes it
possible for miners who become isolated due to an accident, explosion or other
event to stay linked, even when they are distant from one another and cut off
from the outside world.
"We know of no other communication system marketed to the mining
community which has this capability," said Steve Barrett, President and CEO,
Active Control. "Starfish demonstrates our commitment to ensuring ActiveMine
remains the benchmark for wireless mine communications and locating systems."
Starfish technology has operated successfully for over a month in the
underground coal mine in West Virginia referenced in ACT's press release of
May 1, 2008. This installation marked the first commercial sale of the
ActiveMine system.
How Starfish Works
Starfish operates on top of ActiveMine's 100 percent wireless Wi-Fi MESH
network, which is formed by a series of nodes placed at strategic locations in
the mine. The ActiveMine network has multiple wireless paths that will
maintain communication links in the event any node fails or is damaged.
With Starfish, even if a node or series of nodes becomes isolated from
the main network, voice communications will automatically be re-established
within the isolated area. The analogy in nature is that of a starfish: If a
starfish's arm is severed, a complete new starfish is naturally regenerated by
the severed section.
This capability is currently not possible with analog walkie-talkie
radios used in leaky feeder systems. When these radios lose their network
connection (for example, because of a damaged leaky feeder cable), they
provide line-of-sight communications to other radios within a few hundred
feet. Consequently, miners located across a larger area or isolated behind
pillars would likely be unable to communicate with one another should a leaky
feeder network fail.
Additional Starfish Benefits
Starfish provides several benefits and added capabilities:
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- By making it possible for miners to find one another and provide
mutual assistance, Starfish is particularly valuable for search and
rescue operations.
- As soon as an ActiveMine node in an isolated area "sees" signal from
the main network, communications to the surface will automatically
resume.
- With the advent of Starfish, ActiveMine wireless mesh networks can
now be set up for communications without a "Head End," where
communications system controls are typically located. All that is
required are nodes. This is cost-effective for small mines that track
underground personnel "by administration" only and do not require
electronic tracking.
- This capability also enables the deployment of temporary local
networks that are ideal for shorter-term activities requiring high
quality communication links.
- Starfish-enabled local networks can be connected to satellite phones,
making it possible for isolated locations such as prospecting camps
to have a fully digital communications and data network linked to
"the outside world".