NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS
time, continuous communications to the mains.
So compromises have been made using store-
and-forward techniques in Wi-Fi systems such
that fleet management system (FMS) data is
downloaded onto the network when in range of
an Access Point in the Mains. This problem has
been IWT’s focus over the last several years.”
HDRMesh™ is IWT’s technology or “tool” for
the last mile challenge. IWT has leveraged the
benefits of its existing mesh technology into a
higher bandwidth version to support last mile
applications. “IWT products embedding
HDRMesh™ technology provide long-range,
reliable communications in hard-to-reach
working areas – even around corners. Line-
powered products for use in the Mains, vehicle-
powered versions in the working area and
battery-powered HDRMesh nodes in between
result in an operationally-realistic deployment
system architecture that provides a continuous,
real-time communications link to improve
operational productivity. HDRMesh nodes
integrate WiFi to interface with FMS and other
WiFi-enabled systems with IWT’s HDRMesh
technology as the communication backbone to
‘hop’ the data out – reliably and in real-time.”
Besides providing the means to access the
data needed to manage and improve operations,
IWT says it is also working with key customers to
ensure that data is consumable and actionable.
The mESSENGER™ suite of software applications
provides software modules for maintenance,
asset management and production metrics.
3D-P highlights benefits of a
systematic approach
3D-P has developed a great deal of expertise in
designing broadband wireless networks for the
open pit environment. 3D-P was first to focus
entirely on bringing broadband networks to the
mining industry and integrating all of the various
third party systems available to the industry onto
that network. In February 2017, the company also
announced the availability of high performance,
cost effective wireless networks for underground
mines. “Wireless communication in mines
presents unique and significant challenges, and
underground mines are particularly demanding.
Traditional underground communications
solutions offer limited speed and bandwidth and
tend to be costly. 3D-P’s underground wireless
solution leverages readily available ruggedised
network components that are well proven in the
mining environment. The solution can provide
continuous network access throughout the mine
and provides full 802.11n network speeds at cost
effective pricing. The 3D-P solution does not
require continuous cables routed through the
mine as do traditional leaky feeder systems and
the radios only require access to power to
operate. Being wireless, the solution offers much
greater flexibility for being easily reconfigured as
the mine expands.”
On the wider market and how it is evolving,
Maxime Guillaumot, Global Marketing Manager
at 3D-P told IM: “With an increasing focus on IoT
and predictive analysis as a mean to improve
productivity and optimise asset maintenance,
mine requirements for data have never been so
high. Putting more pressure on their networks,
many mines are now presenting an imminent
need for network upgrades to support their
additional requirements. A technology discussion
often starts comparing the associated benefits
and risks of Mesh vs Wi-Fi vs LTE. However,
technology should not be seen as a silver bullet.
Other critical areas, often forgotten by most,
should be added as part of the selection process.
A systematic approach considering design,
technology and hardware should be taken when
deploying a new network or at time of upgrade.”
First, 3D-P argues that the importance of the
network design is often underestimated. “The
network principles required for network
performance in a mine are the number one factor
in network performance. They also are not the
same principles used in other wireless networks,
even other outdoor wireless networks. The
design should focus on use-cases, outcomes,
needs and future plans of the customer mine.
There should be scalability and flexibility of the
network as the mine evolves. Selection of the
right communications partner with a focus on
partnership and mining specific experience is
essential as the mine and requirements of the
mine evolve.”
On the technology itself, Mesh and WiFi and
LTE all have pros and cons. With LTE for example
there is still a spectrum issue in some parts of
the world, and it is not always the best solution
further into the pit. Hybrid Mesh/LTE is still a
young technology, but showing promise.
Finally, with hardware, 3D-P argues that great
importance should be placed on reliability and
avoiding technology clutter as system downtime
is the real cost of the deployment. Future
proofing is crucial – as the mine transitions from
one technology to another, the right hardware
can make a significant difference in terms of
downtime. “Integration capability is also
important. Application integration software that
reduces the barrier to entry, and eases
deployment of multiple systems can greatly
reduce deployment costs, and add value. Smart
IoT hardware that leverages the new wealth of
IoT data at the ‘edge’, enabling most analytics to
be performed at the edge, reduces the massive
network requirement of fully connected IoT,
expected by many analysts to become one of the
main challenges to full IoT implementation.”
The company concludes: “Networks and
communications have never been so critical, yet
reliability, practicality and suitability of many
mines’ networks remain a challenge. A broader
definition, beyond purely technology, should be
taken by mining companies should they want to
prepare for the Digital Mine, encompassing,
network design, fleet hardware and vendor
relationship. With over 20 years experience, 3D-P
is proud to work hand-in-hand with its customers
to develop communication solutions helping their
business increase productivity and minimise