Becker Mining's underground WiFi solutions
September 2013
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Becker Mining South Africa has a locally designed and manufactured Wi-Fi system that ensures safe and efficient communication underground. This system does not limit usage to a single technology, but encompasses migration and integration of many technologies.
The Becker WRAP (wireless router access point) provides a high-speed backbone for wireless VoIP, seamless roaming of devices, advanced vehicular dispatch systems, process automation, as well as any device which can utilise a wireless, serial or fibre backbone. Its versatile design means a combination of communications backbones can be used to optimise the system. For example, fibre can be used for high data throughput. In working sections of a coal mine, where there is frenetic activity, a wireless mesh topology is recommended.
“Becker Electronics has made a substantial investment in researching and testing underground WiFi systems to overcome the problems with conventional Wi-Fi systems in underground conditions,” says Johann Smit, Becker Mining South Africa. “A critical feature of this advanced system is its intrinsically safe design, which enables safe use in hazardous and harsh mining conditions underground. What’s important about Becker’s systems is that each product can be installed as a single standalone system, or can be deployed using a phased approach to minimise large initial capital outlay.”
WRAP is the primary component in creating the Becker WiFi IS backbone. The internal layer 3 router contains the logic to route all network traffic to the correct interface card or to the correct fibre point. The route of network traffic is based on the rules configured into the router itself. Firewall rules can also be configured to control bandwidth usage of protocols, as well as to provide network security. This system incorporates on board tag readers, which reduces the equipment necessary in a full tagging and tracking solution.
WRAP supports various configuration implementations ranging from traditional distributed antenna backbones, to mixed configurations of distributed and leaky feeder backbones, using redundant WDS (wireless distribution system) and redundant fibre optic loops.
The unit incorporates an additional fibre optic port for teeing off the main backbone and used for connection to a switch. Each unit also includes an RS-485 bus to communicate with any industrial serial device, such as multiple Becker UATRs (UHF active tag readers) for tracking implementations.
Systems include near and far field proximity detection, collision avoidance and leaky feeder systems, as well as WiFi, underground tracking of personnel and vehicles and underground remote evacuation signalling. Fibre optic and digital radio networks, belt rip detection for overland conveyors and scada and Ethernet network solutions are also available.
For more information contact Johann Smit, Becker Mining South Africa, +27 (0)11 617 6300, [email protected], www.za.becker-mining.com
Further reading:
Why secure industrial communication depends on deployment as well
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Industrial Security Harmonisation Group has released a joint industry perspective highlighting a critical truth in industrial cybersecurity: secure communication is not determined by protocols alone, but by how they are deployed and managed in real-world environments.
Read more...
A single platform for all automation functions
Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-4: Feedforward Control: Part 3
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In the previous articles in this series, the basic theory behind feedforward control was discussed, and it was also shown how to apply feedforward in practice. In this article, it will be shown how well feedforward can work in practice by giving a couple of examples.
Read more...
Control Station and Dimension Software partner to connect control performance monitoring with enterprise operations intelligence
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Control Station has entered into a strategic technology partnership with Dimension Software, a leading provider of industrial operations management platforms. The collaboration connects Control Station’s PlantESP control loop performance monitoring platform with Dimension Software’s Asset Intellect operations intelligence environment, enabling manufacturers to operationalise control performance insights across their organisations.
Read more...
PCIe digitiser cards for optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis
Vepac Electronics
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The addition of two new PCIe Digitiser cards from Spectrum Instrumentation extends the company’s flagship M5i series to deliver optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis capabilities.
Read more...
Precise, synchronised control for automated steel mesh handling system
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Automation specialist Hambi Maschinenbau has developed a world-first system that automates the cutting, handling and stacking of heavy reinforcing steel mesh – a task that previously required up to six human operators.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-3: Feedforward Control: Part 2
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control tuning is not nearly as critical as feedback tuning, and fairly simple models are usually fine for the purpose in hand.
Read more...
Upgrading radiological surveillance systems in nuclear facilities
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Nuclear plant operators face an uncomfortable reality. Many of the control and monitoring systems still in use today were never designed to support the full operational lifespan of the facilities they serve.
Read more...
Next-level CAN Software enables easy access to CAN XL
Industrial Data Xchange (IDX)
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
With the release of its PCAN-Explorer 7, PEAK delivers a major update that adds full support for CAN XL, multiple symbol files per connection, Python scripting and flexible licensing including floating licenses.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-2: Feedforward Control: Part 1
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control is a powerful technique that can dramatically improve control variance in cases where load changes cause big deviations from setpoint and the actual process dynamics are too slow to allow the feedback controller to operate fast enough to catch these disturbances.
Read more...
printer friendly version