Underground radio communications and personnel tracking system
US8115622B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q1/04
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a portable communications device worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.