RU2672273C1 - Communication system for underground structures - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: communication technique; mining.SUBSTANCE: invention refers to communication engineering. Communication system contains a ground-based software and hardware complex, associated with it a transport channel, underground stationary base stations and subscriber terminals located on mobile objects. Base stations and subscriber terminals are configured to receive and transmit mid-wave signals. As communication channels between base stations and subscriber terminals, the waveguides laid in underground workings are used, to which the base stations are connected directly, and subscriber terminals – using an antenna that is located with a waveguide in an inductive coupling. Base stations are also interconnected by waveguides. Each base station is allocated its own frequency range within the medium-wave band, divided into channels, some of which are used for registration of subscriber terminals, and the rest for data transmission and voice communication between subscribers. In this case, the subscriber terminals are equipped, each, with an automatic antenna tuning device for the frequency of the channel allocated to work with this subscriber.EFFECT: invention can be used at enterprises with underground mining of minerals, in various tunnels, underground storages and other extended objects for voice communication and messaging between subscribers, as well as for operational management, personnel location monitoring and environmental monitoring.7 cl, 3 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to communication technology and can be used in enterprises with underground mining, in various tunnels, underground storages and other extended facilities for voice communication and exchange of messages between subscribers, as well as for operational management, control of personnel location and environmental monitoring .

State of the art

A well-known mine communication system (see patent RU 2508449, IPC: E21F17 / 18, publ. 02.27.2014) containing a ground-based software and hardware complex for monitoring and control, stationary underground base stations connected to it, configured to communicate with subscribers and a friend with the other in two ranges of UHF (ultra-high frequency) and LF (low frequency) radio waves, UHF and LF ranges transmitters located on mobile objects, as well as environmental sensors distributed over the underground mine. In normal operation, the system uses the UHF band and, when digitally encoded, allows simplex voice communication between the dispatcher and the workers. LF - the range is used for communication of base stations with mobile objects in emergency mode through rock debris.

Other wireless high frequency communication systems used in underground structures are known, see patents RU 2180941, US 7725232, WO 2009118762, etc.

The disadvantage of all of the above systems is the use of radio waves that propagate only within line of sight. However, real mine workings are not straightforward, and signal transmission along an extended tunnel requires the placement of base stations (repeaters) almost every 100-150 m. The high cost of installing stationary transceiver equipment and bringing electric power to it leads to a high cost of the whole system. At the same time, in emergency situations during the destruction of the mine working and the violation of line of sight, such a connection does not work.

A well-known underground radio communication system containing base stations located at mobile facilities, subscriber terminals and a sewer in the form of a radiating cable (see patent RU 103044U1, IPC: H04B5 / 00, published on 03.20.2011). This system has similar disadvantages. Due to energy losses due to radiation, the signal attenuation rather quickly occurs in the emitting cable, which leads to the necessity of installing repeaters (linear amplifiers) every 200-300 m.

A device for microwave (microwave) communication in underground mine workings (see patent RU 2090974, IPC: Н04В5 / 02, publ. 09/20/97) is used to communicate ground equipment with underground subscriber transceivers single-wire lines laid along underground workings, the so-called waveguides. The waveguides do not emit an electromagnetic field into the external space, but only form an environment for the propagation of signals that are transmitted to terminal devices due to inductive coupling between the waveguide and the antenna of the subscriber terminal.

Unlike radiating cables, the waveguide has no energy loss due to radiation, which allows transmitting signals over long distances - 5 km or more. Communication range is an essential advantage of using waveguides.

The disadvantages of the device according to patent RU 2090974 include the use of the high frequency range. In this case, the electromagnetic field of the transmitted signals is concentrated around the waveguide and the antenna of the subscriber transceiver does not fall into its coverage area, which leads to the necessity of installing re-radiators along the waveguide. In addition, the efficiency of a single-wire microwave communication depends on metal objects located near the waveguide, each of which can become a source of secondary radiation and, accordingly, losses.

Similar disadvantages are deprived of the underground communication system disclosed in US patent US4777652, IPC: H04B5 / 00, publ. 11.10.88g, which uses lower frequencies of electromagnetic waves to transmit information. This system is adopted as the closest analogue, by the presence of features similar to the essential features of the claimed technical solution.

The communication system of US Pat. No. 4,777,652 includes a ground control complex and associated stationary base stations configured to receive and transmit mid-wave (hereinafter referred to as CB) signals. On mobile objects there are subscriber terminals with transceivers operating in the microwave band. As the communication line between the subscriber terminals and the base station, power cables laid along the underground workings, performing the functions of waveguides, were used. The base station is connected to the cable through a special coupler. For emergency situations, a mode of using a coal seam as a medium for transmitting a signal from a cell repeater is provided.

An essential advantage of the known system is the use of the mid-wave range for transmitting signals between a stationary base station and mobile subscriber terminals via a waveguide. Signals of the SW range, having a large wavelength (100-1000 m), contribute to the creation of an electromagnetic field of a similar radius of action around the waveguide, as a result of which all subscriber terminals located at that moment in the underground generation, and hence the antennas of their transceivers, fall into its coverage that perceive the signal propagating along the waveguide anywhere in the mine. In this case, there is no need to install additional re-emitters, the system is very simple and provides a large communication range with mobile objects equipped with subscriber terminals.

The disadvantages of the closest analogue include the fact that the system can only provide dispatch communication, which is built on the principle of “everything with everyone” when all transmitting subscribers are heard on the air at the same time, due to the use of only two frequencies of the CB band, one of which is used for transmission messages, and the other for decoupling signals. The limited capabilities of the system do not allow simultaneous independent communication sessions for several subscribers.

Another disadvantage of this system is the low reliability in emergency situations.

The technical problem to be solved by the claimed invention is directed is the creation of a communication system based on the use of waveguides as a communication line and a CB band for signal transmission, and at the same time providing a guaranteed individual resource for each subscriber, allowing him autonomously, i.e., independently from other subscribers and simultaneously with them, negotiate, receive or transmit data.

Disclosure of the invention

     The aforementioned technical problem is solved due to the fact that in the communication system for underground structures containing a ground-based software and hardware complex, stationary base stations associated with it, capable of receiving and transmitting medium-wave signals, subscriber terminals with antennas and transceivers located on mobile objects medium wave range, and laid along the underground workings of the waveguides to which the base stations are connected, according to the claimed invention, the base stations are located underground at the nodal points of the routes of moving objects and are interconnected by waveguides, each base station has its own frequency range within the mid-wave range, divided into channels that are used to register subscriber terminals, transmit data and voice communications between subscribers, while the subscriber the terminals are each equipped with a device for automatically tuning the antenna to the frequency of the channel allocated for working with this subscriber.

One technical result achieved by using the present invention is to expand the functionality of the system and provide independent communications for each subscriber, while maintaining a long communication range.

Another technical result is to increase the reliability of the communication system in emergency situations.

One significant difference of the proposed system from the closest analogue is the use of frequency resource sharing in the UH band between underground base stations and the execution of each station with the ability to work in multi-channel mode.

The principle of frequency resource sharing is known and widely used in high-frequency wireless communications. However, unlike high-frequency antennas, small-sized antennas of the SV range have a narrow passband, i.e. the frequency range in which the antenna operates without additional configuration, which does not allow multichannel communication in the microwave range with the simple use of known medium-wave antennas.

In the proposed system, the mentioned contradiction is resolved due to the fact that the subscriber terminals are equipped with devices for automatically tuning the antenna to the frequency of the channel allocated for working with this subscriber.

In aggregate, the mentioned distinguishing features of the proposed technical solution provide the possibility of implementing multi-channel communication in the medium wavelength range through the waveguide, and the fact that each subscriber of the system has a guaranteed individual channel allocated to it by the base station in whose coverage area this subscriber is located. Through this channel, he can independently negotiate with other subscribers and simultaneously carry out negotiations or transmit and receive data.

Another significant difference from the known analogues is that the base stations located underground are interconnected by means of waveguides, which, combined with the separation of the frequency resource between the base stations, allows the base stations to work when communication channels with the ground complex are damaged, for example, in an emergency .

In this case, part of the frequency resource of the base stations is used to organize communication with neighboring base stations through waveguides, the remaining channels continue to be used to serve subscribers. In this case, telemetry data and recordings of voice communication sessions are stored in non-volatile memory of base stations.

The use of a frequency range for the connection of waveguides and CBs ensures the simplicity of the system, increased reliability, a minimum number of stationary base stations and a long communication range of 5 km or more.

The term “ground-based software and hardware complex” means a combination of hardware and software tools that work together and perform the functions of a control and switching center: connecting subscribers, organizing a relay transmission of subscribers between base stations, connecting a subscriber to subscribers of a public telephone line, collecting telemetry data from subscribers.

The term "subscriber terminal" refers to the terminal mobile equipment used by the subscriber, used to connect to the data network and exchange information with the base station or another subscriber. The subscriber terminal device provides the ability to receive and transmit signals in the medium wave range.

The term "base station" means a stationary complex of transceiver equipment located in a mine working and performing centralized maintenance of a group of terminal devices (subscriber terminals) located in its coverage area.

The waveguide forms a communication channel between base stations and subscriber terminals, serves to transmit signals. The base station is connected to the waveguide directly, and the subscriber terminal - using an antenna, which is inductively connected to the waveguide.

Telephone, signal cables, power cables or other metal guides available in the mine can be used as waveguides. However, it is preferable to use single or two-wire lines isolated from other cables, connected at one end to the base stations, which minimizes the interference typical for cases of using a power cable (for example, in the prototype). A matching load may be fixed at the second end of the wire line.

Two-wire lines, in comparison with single-wire ones, are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference caused by electrical equipment and cable lines operating in the mine, to induction induction currents in the metal support of a mine, to interference caused by the flow of currents between grounding conductors.

To ensure the possibility of working offline in emergency situations, subscriber terminals and base stations are equipped with batteries and non-volatile memory.

The proposed communication system can be used to control the location of moving objects and monitor the state of the environment.

In this case, it is additionally equipped with autonomous positioning RFID tags, which are placed in underground workings with a step determined by the permissible positioning error.

Each RFID tag is a limited-range transmitter whose location is known. In this case, the RFID tag may include other functional blocks.

 For communication with RFID tags, as well as with other sources of information, for example, process sensors, gas analyzers, and other objects of mine infrastructure, short-range transceivers (VHF transceivers) are installed at subscriber terminals.

This design provides an additional extension of the system’s functionality, namely: the ability to quickly track the location of moving objects, monitoring of technological processes and the environment, equipment management.

Additionally, subscriber terminals can be equipped with an inertial navigation unit, including accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes. The use of inertial navigation reduces the number of positioning RFID tags and ensures the required accuracy of determining the location of a moving object.

In order to increase the level of labor protection and industrial safety, subscriber terminals can be equipped with sensors for monitoring the parameters of the working area (temperature, content of combustible, dangerous and harmful gases, etc.).

Brief Description of the Drawings

The essence of the claimed technical solution is illustrated by examples of specific performance and drawings, which depict:

in FIG. 1 - structural diagram of the system, general view;

in FIG. 2 is a cross section of a mine working with a two-wire waveguide;

in FIG. 3 - an example of the use of the system for operational control of the location of personnel and control of technological processes.

The implementation of the invention

The communication system for underground structures (see Fig. 1) contains a ground-based software and hardware complex for monitoring and control (hereinafter referred to as the ground-based complex) 1, associated with it transport channel 2 stationary underground base stations 3, waveguides 4 laid along the tunnels of the underground workings, connected one end to the base stations 3, and the waveguides 5 connecting the neighboring base stations 3.

Mobile objects: personnel, vehicles and mobile technological equipment located in underground workings, are equipped with subscriber terminals 6.

As the transport channel 2 of the high-speed universal communication, a wired Ethernet channel can be used.

As waveguides 4 and 5, one or two-wire lines can be used. In the case of a two-wire line, its conductors 7 and 8 are placed on opposite walls of the mine working (see figure 2).

Base stations 3, which include: a microwave transceiver, control equipment, an electric power source with a battery, and a non-volatile memory unit, are located at the nodal points of the moving objects moving paths.

Each base station 3 is allocated an individual frequency resource within the mid-wave range, divided into several channels. In normal (working) mode of operation, some of the channels of the base station 3 are used to register subscriber terminals, the rest are used for negotiations between subscribers and the transmission of telemetry data.

To ensure the possibility of communication with base stations 3, the subscriber terminal 6 is equipped with a CB-range transceiver and a small resonant antenna with a device for automatically tuning to the frequency of the channel allocated for working with this subscriber terminal.

The principles of constructing devices providing automatic tuning of the antenna to a resonance frequency that matches the frequency of the allocated channel are known to specialists in this field of technology, therefore, the specific implementation of the said device is not considered in the application.

In operating mode, communication between subscribers is carried out through the ground-based complex 1, which coordinates communication sessions: receives requests from subscriber terminals 6, finds the address of the subscriber requested for communication, and forwards this request to the corresponding base station 3. Moreover, all signals between subscriber terminals 6 and the ground complex 1 are transmitted through base stations 3, which provide the conversion of the transmitted signals.

The transmission of signals between the subscriber terminals 6 and the base stations 3 is carried out by means of waveguides 4, while the base station 3 is connected directly to the waveguide 4, and the subscriber terminals 6 interact with the waveguide 4 through an antenna inductive coupling with it.

When receiving, the antenna of the transceiver of the subscriber terminal 6 receives a signal propagating along the waveguide 4, and when transmitting, it induces the EMF (electromotive force) of the signal in it, under the influence of which a current is applied to the input of the base station 3.

Essentially, the waveguide 4 is an antenna of the transceiver of the base station 3, to which the base station is connected at one end when using a single-wire waveguide or at two ends for a two-wire waveguide.

Thanks to the use of the SW range, a large radius of action of the electromagnetic field formed around the waveguide 4 is achieved, which ensures reliable communication at any point in the cross section of the mine. The subscriber terminal 6, being at any point in the tunnel 9 of the generation, can receive signals from the base station, transmitted along the waveguide, and carry out the transmission itself (see Fig. 2).

The subscriber terminal 6 in the automatic mode scans the channels of the system in the microwave band, constantly searching for the closest base station 3, determined by the signal strength. After determining the strongest signal, the antenna of the subscriber terminal 6 is automatically tuned to the frequency of this station and the transmission of a registration request is made therein.

The subscriber terminal 6 registered at the base station 3 is allocated a guaranteed frequency resource — a channel (subchannel) in the CB band in which data is transmitted only from this subscriber. Moreover, the proposed system provides the possibility of two-way communication.

When a subscriber moves from the coverage area of one base station to the coverage area of another base station, the antenna of the subscriber terminal 6 retunes to the frequency channel allocated by another base station. When crossing the border of the coverage area of the base station, the subscriber terminal is automatically switched to service another base station.

In emergency modes of operation, in the event of a failure of high-speed universal communication with the ground complex 1, part of the frequency resource of each base station 3 is used to organize communication with neighboring base stations. Base stations 3 begin to operate in relay mode, communicating with each other through waveguides 5. In this case, base stations 3 continue to service subscriber terminals 6 located in their coverage area, using the rest of the frequency resource in the microwave range. Telemetry data and recordings of voice communication sessions are stored in non-volatile memory of base stations 3.

As a result, it is possible to operate autonomously the entire system or its parts in the absence of communication with the ground complex 1.

In FIG. Figure 3 shows an example of the use of a communication system for the operational tracking of the movement of personnel and other moving objects in mine workings, for the control of technological processes and environmental monitoring.

In this case, the system contains stationary stand-alone positioning RFID tags 10, for example, VHF beacons having a limited radius of action, which are located in the mine workings in accordance with the requirements for positioning accuracy and are used as reference points in local coordinate systems.

Along with RFID tags 10, various process sensors, environmental parameters sensors, remote I / O modules, also equipped with limited (small, short-range) transceivers, can be placed in underground workings. These autonomous sources and receivers of information are indicated in FIG. 3 as devices 11.

For communication with RFID tags 10 and the possibility of exchanging information with devices 11, each subscriber terminal 6 is additionally equipped with a short-range transceiver operating in the VHF range.

The term “transceiver” is used to mean any possible combination of a receiver and a transmitter (not only located in a common housing), including the corresponding antenna and other functionally necessary nodes.

Additionally, the subscriber terminal 6 may be equipped with an inertial navigation unit, including accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes, and providing a calculation of the location of the terminal 6 relative to the marks 10.

To control the parameters of the working area in the subscriber terminal 6 can be integrated various sensors, for example, temperature, and various gas analyzers that monitor the concentration of combustible, dangerous and harmful gases in the breathing zone.

The results of the location calculation and the data received from the sensors and devices 11 built into the terminal, the subscriber terminals 6 are transmitted to the base stations 3 through the waveguides 4 using the mid-wave range.

Further, the information arrives at the ground-based complex 1, which processes the data, continuously calculates the current risks of activity for each employee and transfers the calculated data back to the subscriber terminals 6, informing the personnel about the danger that has arisen.

The results of the location calculation and the data obtained from the sensors and devices 11 built into the terminal are stored in the non-volatile memory of the subscriber terminals 6 and, if necessary, can be read directly into the ground complex 1 on the surface.

The above examples should be considered illustrative, which do not limit the possibilities of using the system in other cases that are obvious to practitioners in the art.

Claims (7)

1. A communication system for underground structures, containing a ground-based software and hardware complex, stationary base stations associated with it, capable of receiving and transmitting medium-wave range signals, subscriber terminals with antennas and medium-wave range transceivers located on moving objects, and waveguides laid along underground workings to which the base stations are connected, characterized in that the base stations are located underground at the nodal points of the mobile routes objects and interconnected by waveguides, each base station has its own selected frequency range within the mid-wave range, divided into channels used for registration of subscriber terminals, data transmission and voice communication between subscribers, while the subscriber terminals are each equipped with an automatic antenna tuning device for the frequency of the channel allocated to work with this subscriber. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that single-wire lines are used as waveguides. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that two-wire lines are used as waveguides. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber terminals and base stations are equipped with non-volatile memory. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes autonomous positioning RFID tags made in the form of limited-range transmitters permanently installed in underground workings, while the subscriber terminals are equipped with a short-range transceiver for communication with these RFID tags and other mine objects infrastructure. 6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the subscriber terminals are additionally equipped with an inertial navigation unit. 7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber terminals are additionally equipped with sensors for monitoring parameters of the subscriber's working area.

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