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APPLICATIONS The deployment of underground wireless networks, based on IEEE 802.11 family, enables: - simultaneous communications
- voice over IP
- video over IP
- data communications
- remote operations
- remote sensing and control
- radiolocalisation Simultaneous communications
Data packet transmission, several channels, spread spectrum modulation and CSMA/CA access method enable simultaneous communications. Users may use Voice over IP over wireless as if they were using their household phone.
Voice over IP
Voice over IP have been increasingly popular over the last five years. In the close future, it should become an economical solution for long distance call. Quality of the communication will continue to increase, as routing and compression techniques are ameliorated. In a mine tunnel, VoIP enables mine worker communications in real-time. Communications could be one to one (unicast), one to many (multicast), and even many to many (broadcast).
Video over IP
Video over IP allows to share speaker images over a telecommunication infrastructure. It enables remote operation of mining equipments, surveillance and tutoring.
Data communications
Data from PCs, including file transfer, can be done over a wireless link. There is no need to walk with cumbersome cables or being limited to a single place. A foreman can review his quotas from underground.
Remote operations
Remote operations include robotic teleoperation and explosive blast firing. It includes Video over IP and real-time control.
Remote sensing and control
Ventilation, heating, air quality monitoring, door opening and closing are among automation capabilities of mining operation. Like remote operations, real-time and legacy control protocols must be supported.
Radiolocalisation
Radiolocalisation supports tunnel surveying, miner location, and remote operation. Precision of few meters are easily attained. Whereas new algorithms are to be found for centimetres resolution in an underground mine tunnel.
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