Shaft communications and millimeter waves

Uninterrupted wireless communications between mobile conveyance and control room on the surface are key to safe and efficient flow of materials in a vertical mineshaft.

Vintage headframe on a vertical mineshaft

Conventional communications solutions include HF narrowband radio, rope coupling and leaky-feeder systems. These systems present severe limitations and technical horizon.

Solcomm engineers have devised innovative, fully wireless proof-of-concept solutions for vertical shaft communications. These solutions are intended to provide conveyance monitoring, digital voice (VoIP) and video on demand between skips/cages and control room..

The antennas used in the mobile conveyances are exposed to extreme environments, including corrosive atmosphere, humidity and potential rock falls. For this reason, rugged protective RF transparent antenna hoods are part of the solution. The functional and operational impact of antenna shields and protective coatings on radio propagation was a major technical consideration to be taken into account in the solution design.

Based on prior learnings, our engineers are now looking at RF transparent materials for propagation at new 5G frequency bands (sub-6GHz, up to 24GHz and potentially extended to 52.6GHz in 5G). These learnings are applicable not only to telecommunications and antenna concealment, but to the whole construction industry at large.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your particular application.