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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Project: Communications and Tracking Systems Modeling and Performance
Keywords: Emergency communications Personnel tracking Radios
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Principal Investigator
Chenming Zhou -  Request informationStart Date
10/1/2010End Date
9/30/2015Objective
To enhance the understanding of underground mining communication and tracking system performance through the development and validation of radio signal propagation models.Topic Area
Emergency Communications and Tracking
Research Summary

This project had four research aims, as follows:
Determine the performance characteristics of existing radio frequency identification tracking devices.
Develop experimentally validated electromagnetic computational models that determine the signal path-loss for low radio frequency propagation in which the electromagnetic waves can propagate directly through the earth, linking a miner underground to personnel on the surface.
Develop experimentally validated electromagnetic computational models that determine the signal path-loss for radio frequency propagation at very-high, ultra-high, and super-high frequencies in an underground coal mine.
Develop experimentally validated electromagnetic computational models that determine the signal path-loss for radio frequency propagation at medium frequencies through parasitic coupling within an underground coal mine.The MINER Act of 2006 mandated that mine operators adopt two-way wireless underground communications and electronic tracking (CT) systems that allow personnel on the surface to communicate with and determine the location of workers underground. As a result of this legislation, wireless CT systems in mines should provide a vital link between the surface personnel and trapped miners to assist them in self-escape or rescue.
This project developed and validated computer models to predict CT radio signal propagation in the frequency bands known to work in underground coal mines. Coal mine CT systems operate in one of three frequency bands: typical radio communications frequencies in the UHF (ultra-high frequency) band (or possibly the adjacent bands just below or above UHF); the MF (medium frequency) band; and the ULF (ultra-low frequency) band. The mechanism of RF wave propagation and attenuation is different in each of these bands.
Through these research efforts, this project resulted in a better understanding of CT system performance limitations in an underground environment and provided guidelines to improve the effectiveness and performance of critical mine systems. The findings can also extend and/or enhance the communication range of underground CT systems during post-accident scenarios.

See Also
Design and Demonstration of a Location Tracking System for Underground Coal Mines (Award 2)
Emergency Communications and Tracking
Passive Fiber Optic System for Locating, Tracking, and Communicating with Personnel in Coal Mines
Radio 101: Operating Two-Way Radios Every Day and in Emergencies
Radio System Modifications for Improved Mine Safety (Medium Frequency)
Sprinkler Head Emergency Communications
Survey of Electromagnetic and Seismic Noise Related to Mine Rescue Communications: Volume I - Emergency and Operational Mine Communications
Survey of Electromagnetic and Seismic Noise Related To Mine Rescue Communications: Volume II - Seismic Detection and Location of Isolated Miners
System Reliability and Environmental Survivability
Technology News 543 - Reverse Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology for Personnel Tracking in Underground Mines
Page last reviewed: March 13, 2017
Page last updated: March 13, 2017
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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