MINING NETWORKS
NLT ' s N-Connex continues growth
Managing Director Europe at NLT Digital Solutions , Ian Turner , says the company has yet again seen significant and ongoing growth with its rugged , modular , IP67-rated mining and tunnelling networking solution N-Connex solution over the past year , despite the COVID-19 pandemic . “ Our unique N-Connex platform , which provides a fibre Gigabit backbone , Ethernet and WiFi connectivity has ticked many boxes for its broad client base and combined with its software applications resolves many typical mine issues in a very cost effective manner .”
N-Connex is specifically designed for harsh environments , like underground mines . The system is rapidly deployable due to a userfriendly , rail-based mounting system and modular approach . Combined with preterminated fibre and ethernet cables a mine level network can be quickly deployed and , just as importantly , easily maintained thereafter . “ The IP67 rated modules do not require additional enclosure or mounting hardware , so the solution is very scalable and easily expanded . Another proven advantage is that installation and maintenance can be carried out non-IT specialists , for example by mine electricians .”
Being WiFi and Ethernet standards compliant , any IoT devices can easily connect over the N- Connex system and NLT is also seeing an expanded range of solutions from voice communications to remote WiFi blasting being successfully deployed . “ Control and monitoring of equipment such as fans and pumps has also
NLT is set to release its latest N-Connex product - a new access point called the Lightning Bolt with 2.4 / 5 GHZ , Dual Stream MU-MIMO and Bluetooth on board
grown in the past year with the ease of connecting PLCs to N-Connex . There is also a specific N-Connex digital or analogue I / O module to connect equipment that does not
currently have a PLC or connectivity . “ Additionally , tracking , data communications , video monitoring , gas and environmental monitoring , emergency management though the dedicated evacuation and alarm modules are all supported and implemented in many mines .”
Turner says teleremote of underground vehicles has been a big driver in the WiFi market . “ Over the past two years we have seen more and more mines move the vehicle operators to the surface and controlling their vehicles via remote . This not only reduces the amount of workers underground but also increases productivity with less downtime .”
Over the last year NLT has had many new large installations around the world in mining with heightened interest in particular in Europe ,
South America and Africa . NLT Europe ’ s newly opened offices in Germany deployed one of Europe ’ s deepest mines in the UK with over 35 km of network and WiFi infrastructure . This included more than 40 N- Connex nodes and 140 Bolt access points , ensuring 100 % WiFi and network coverage from pit bottom to the working faces . In Peru , a successful proof of concept trial was deployed with the help of NLT ' s Peruvian distributor Almax at Minsur ' s underground mines to supply mine-wide network and WiFi connectivity and to enable the deployment of Mobilaris productivity software .
Turner adds : “ Over the next month N-Connex will also have some new products added to its solution . One of these products is a new access point called the Lightning Bolt with 2.4 / 5 GHZ , Dual Stream MU-MIMO and Bluetooth on board . The Lightning Bolt is a compact dual band outdoor and underground wireless access point . It is equipped with two N-Type antenna connectors to fit an assortment of industry standard antenna options . Powered by gigabit PoE , a single Cat6 cable provides network connectivity and power , making installation easy and intuitive .” Additionally , the low power design ensures 802.11AC WiFi can be achieved at up to 300 m from the NLT Distribution Module . " The secret power of the Lightning Bolt is the built-in WiFi tracking function . When paired with NLT ’ s Digital Mine software and NLT WiFi tracking tags the Lightning Bolt becomes a powerful tracking device . It is capable of tracking personnel , vehicles or assets that are in the proximity of the Bolt .”
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SEPTEMBER 2021 | International Mining 99