Understanding
Leaky Feeder
Systems
MCA1000 - VHF
the leaky feeder people®
Copyright MineCom 2005
The information contained in
this document has been
provided to the original
addressee as
“Commercial in Confidence”
and therefore is NOT for
general release without prior
approval of MineCom
Copyright MineCom 2005
The following names are registered brand names of
MineCom Australia Pty. Ltd.
MCA1000
 SMARTAmp
 SMARTCAM
 RINGFeeder
 SMARTTune
 SMARTControl

Copyright MineCom 2005
MineCom
don’t just manufacture ONE
communications backbone, they
produce an
E x t e n d e d
r a n g e
of communications
SOLUTIONS
Copyright MineCom 2005
MineCom offer Integrated
Communications Solutions
for Mining
Data
Tracking
Automation
Two Way
Radio
Leaky
Feeder
systems
Train
Control
Video
Fibre
Optics
Gas
Monitoring
Copyright MineCom 2005
Contents
1.
Understanding leaky feeder cables
2.
Understanding the head end equipment
3.
Understanding the distribution equipment
4.
What information is required from the customer
5.
What makes up the MCA1000
Copyright MineCom 2005
Communicating in
an underground
tunnel environment
is difficult,
but possible.
Copyright MineCom 2005
However it is a precise
technology, therefore you
MUST
be prepared to follow the strict
system design guidelines
if the system is to work as it
was designed.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Copyright MineCom 2005
System
Guidelines
Step ONE
Understanding
leaky feeder
cables
Copyright MineCom 2005
People commonly refer to it as a
‘Leaky Feeder Cable’
……….because
this name best describes
what it does.
Copyright MineCom 2005
However
the correct terminology is a –
‘Distributed Antenna
System’
As it is really one BIG LONG Antenna
and the RF signals are distributed
evenly along its length.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Over the last 35 years the
‘leaky feeder’
based backbone has proven
to be the most reliable form of
communications in confined
spaces. Other forms, or
methods of communications
have come and gone in that
time
Copyright MineCom 2005
Some people still try to use
above ground style antennas in
an underground environment,
however they are -
• expensive
• easily damaged
• corrode quickly
• subject to phasing
• ore trucks, loaders etc,
reflect/deflect or block the
radio signals
Copyright MineCom 2005
Standard
Antenna’s
Strong signal
No signals
Copyright MineCom 2005
Leaky Feeder
Strong signal
No signals
Copyright MineCom 2005
A Leaky Feeder cable is similar to a
garden watering system…..
Copyright MineCom 2005
Pump
…where you run a plastic hose pipe around the garden
with holes in it, to water the plants. Farmers have to
use a pump, to ‘boost’ the water pressure, to
compensate for the losses caused by the longer runs of
water pipe required
Copyright MineCom 2005
Normal coax cable is designed to pass RF
signals from one end to the other with
varying degrees of losses, dependant on the
quality.
The purpose of the outer copper shield, is to
- keep as much signal as possible inside the
cable and…..
to prevent external RF signals and/or
interference from entering into the cable
Copyright MineCom 2005
The external copper shield on a leaky feeder
cable has ‘holes’ or ‘gaps’ in the shielding,
designed to allow the RF signals running
down it, to leak out evenly along its length
the RF signals can be picked
up by portable radios nearby
Copyright MineCom 2005
The ‘holes’ in the leaky feeder cable also
enables external RF signals (including
interference) to enter into and run along the
cable.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Other aspects that govern the off-air
coverage from leaky feeder cables • Configuration of the outer shield –
i.e. individual copper strands or a copper tube with holes drilled in it - will
have an effect the level of signal leakage in/out of the cable
• Cable size -
Smaller diameter cable – higher signal losses, more amplifiers/gain required
Larger diameter cable - less signal losses, less amplifiers/gain required
• Frequencies used Low frequencies – less signal losses, along the cable LESS amplifiers/gain
required
High frequencies - higher signal losses along the cable, MORE amplifiers/gain
required
• Cable losses Cable losses vary dependant on - frequency used, diameter of the copper
conductors, dielectric material utilised, quality/precision of the cable
manufacturing machinery used, level of QA testing during manufacture process
Copyright MineCom 2005
Other considerations that SHOULD be
taken into account when using leaky
feeder cables in tunnels • Cable construction –
 Special Handling – All LF cables due to their design/construction
require careful handling, some versions more than others
 Bending Radius - most LF cables have a very limited bending radius,
i.e. 400mm to 1000mm diameter. A few LF cables have been specifically
designed for mine tunnel use and have a bending radius of 100mm. A
damaged cable means increased losses, more amplifiers, increased cost
 Fire retardant – Only cables with a self extinguishing sheath should be
used in mines and tunnel systems
 Halogen free – some brands of LF cables are manufactured using
Halogen Free (Low-smoke) materials at an additional cost
 Foam filled – LF cables using a foam dielectric, will prevent water
entering the cable and running down the cable into amplifiers/devices
Copyright MineCom 2005
The method of installation in the tunnel
is also an important consideration • Cable installation  Cable mounting –
LF cables with a corrugated copper tube (shield) with ‘slots’ in it,
MUST to be suspended at least 100mm BELOW a catenary cable to
ensure reasonable coverage in the tunnel.
VHF Band - LF Cables designed specifically for mine use, can be
strapped directly on to water pipes, air pipes, low voltage power cables
Corrugated style LF cables must be supported @ 1 meter intervals.
LF cables designed for mine use must be supported @ 3 meter intervals
in the horizontal plane, 2 meter intervals in the vertical plane
 Cable Location –
LF cables must be ‘seen’ by the naked eye and not hidden away
behind pipes, or buried under other cables in a cable tray
LF cables should be located where they are least likely to be
damaged hit i.e. hit by passing trucks and loaders etc
Copyright MineCom 2005
To recap –
Corrugated leaky feeder cables do have lower losses and
therefore require less amplifiers……BUT
They are less flexible and therefore more prone to damage
during installation as well as during normal day to day mine
operations
They are more expensive AND they require specialised
mounting hardware – ‘hangers’, connectors etc
The RF signals leak out/in through a single row of ‘slots’ in the
outer copper tube (shield)
MineCom UHF Leaky Feeder Cable
Outer sheath
Fire Retardant
sheath
Outer copper tube
(shield) with slots
or holes in it
Foam
dielectric
Center
conductor
Copyright MineCom 2005
Corrugated leaky feeder cables
100mm gap
a) MUST be suspended at least 100mm below the
catenary cable
b) MUST be kept clear of any metallic surface to
ensure that the RF signals can ‘leak out’, as the
radiating holes in the shield are not marked and
cannot be seen through the outer sheath
Copyright MineCom 2005
The MineCom leaky feeder cable was
designed specifically for use in mine
tunnels and tunnel construction use
Copyright MineCom 2005
It radiates 360 degrees
AND
it can be strapped directly onto –
air and water pipes
catenary cables
low voltage power cables
weld mesh
rock bolts or under cable trays etc.
Copyright MineCom 2005
It is more flexible, easier to handle
and less prone to damage,
than corrugated forms of
leaky feeder cables.
It can be repaired in minutes NO special tools are required
MineCom Leaky Feeder Cable VLFC
Outer sheath
Yellow or Blue
Fire Retardant
sheath
16 helical wound
copper strands
Foam
dielectric
Center
conductor
Copyright MineCom 2005
It is EASY to install, EASY to expand,
EASY to repair, EASY to Maintain
AND it is very COST effective
Copyright MineCom 2005
AND it can be bent to 100mm diameter.
Copyright MineCom 2005
MineCom only use ‘foam dielectric’ cables
because an air dielectric’ cable caused this
damage to an in-line-amplifier
Copyright MineCom 2005
System
Guidelines
Step Two
Understanding
the Head End
equipment
Copyright MineCom 2005
Head End
Rack Location
The location (placing)
of the rack enclosure
will have a major
bearing on system –
• Performance
• Redundancy
• Safety
• Interconnection
Copyright MineCom 2005
Located on the Surface
Safety
Interconnection
<
<
Redundancy
=
Performance
=
Scene 1 - Head end rack located on the surface, with
only a single leaky feeder cable running underground.
IF the leaky feeder cable was damaged in the shaft,
95% of the communications system would be lost.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Located Underground
Safety
<
Redundancy
<
Performance
<
Interconnection
<
Scene 2 – Whereas if the head end rack was centrally
located underground, with 3 leaky feeder cable ports in
use and the cable was damaged in the shaft, only 5%
of the communications system would be lost.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Where a mine generates Hazardous
gases such as - Methane and/or
Hydrogen as found in Coal mines
(and some hard rock mines) then the Head
End Rack MUST be located on the
surface in a safe, NON Hazardous
location.
AND an IS barrier MUST be fitted
between the Head End equipment
and the leaky feeder cable(s).
Copyright MineCom 2005
With humans,
everything in our
body is controlled
by the BRAIN
With the
MineCom1000
everything is
controlled from
the Head End
equipment rack
Copyright MineCom 2005
The Head End rack can contain one or
more of the following equipment • MCA1000 Head End
• MCA1000 Diagnostic Head End
• Circuit Breaker Panel
• Voice Radio Base Stations
• Data Radio Modems
• Transmitter Isolators
• Master PLC
• SMARTAmp Head End
• SMARTVideo Video Demodulators
• Radio to Telephone Interface
• Audio Bridge
• Power Supply
• Battery Back Up
Copyright MineCom 2005
Big mines – big racks
Copyright MineCom 2005
Smaller mine - smaller rack/enclosures
Copyright MineCom 2005
To learn more about individual MCA1000 Head End
Rack system components, please press
an information button adjacent to the product name,
press the BACK button to return to this page
• VHF Head End Standard
• VHF Head End RINGFeeder
• VHF Head End SMARTControl
• VHF Diagnostic Head End Modem
• Circuit Breaker Panel
• VHF Voice Radio Base Stations
• VHF Data Radio Modems
• VHF Transmitter Isolators
• VHF SMARTAmp Head End Modem
• VHF SMARTVideo Head End Demodulators
• Master PLC
Copyright MineCom 2005
• Radio to Telephone Interface
• Audio Bridge
• Voice Enunciator
• Power Supply (Battery Back Up)
Other Head End rack equipment options
offered –





Voice storage & Recording units
Video TV Monitors
Multi-media equipment
Video & Quad Switchers
PC’s for diagnostics/telemetry
Copyright MineCom 2005
System
Guidelines
Step Three
Understanding
the Distribution
equipment
Copyright MineCom 2005
Copyright MineCom 2005
Maintaining a constant level of signal,
along a long length of leaky feeder
cable is no different to the requirement
for a water pump, to maintain a
reasonable flow of water along a water
pipe.
Copyright MineCom 2005
A leaky feeder cable is the most cost
effective method of achieving reliable, good
quality voice, data & video communications
along a 10 kilometer mine tunnel
Copyright MineCom 2005
In order to communicate along a 10
kilometer length of leaky feeder cable, RF
signals (@ 160MHz) need to be regenerated or
‘boosted’# many times over, to cover the
whole 10Kms.
# dependant on the signal losses of the leaky feeder cable
used
(@160MHz)
Copyright
MineCom
2005
The MCA1000 mine based leaky feeder
system, offers a cost effective solution –
utilising small in-line, bi-directional
amplifiers to boost the signals up and down
the cable.
172 156
MHz MHz
172 156
MHz MHz
172 156
MHz MHz
Copyright MineCom 2005
The distance between any two amplifiers is
dependant on –
• the cable losses at 172 Mhz (dB)
• the gain of the amplifier used
• whether one or more branch units are
installed
Up to 100 kilometers of leaky feeder cable
can be connected to a single MCA1000 Head
End.
172 156
MHz MHz
<500 meters
172 156
MHz MHz
<500 meters
172 156
MHz MHz
Copyright MineCom 2005
There are many different types of leaky
feeder cable available on the market.
It MUST be remembered that the leaky
feeder cable is a Critical item governing
the design of the system
• Cable losses + Branch losses + Joiner losses = ‘y’
• Amplifier gain = ‘x’
• ‘x’ MUST ALWAYS be greater than ‘y’
IF THE SYSTEM IS TO WORK
Copyright MineCom 2005
T
X
R
X
T
X
R
X
T
X
R
X
Basic System Diagram
Head End
500m
172 156
MHz MHz
50m
Branch 1
350m
172 156
MHz MHz
105m
350m
172 156
MHz MHz
260m
Terminator
Branch 2
260m
500m
172 156
Mhz Mhz
Teminator
500m
260m
Terminator
Terminator
Copyright MineCom 2005
Connection of the MCA1000 leaky feeder
cable to amplifiers, branches, terminations
etc is quick and easy with no special tools
required. The connectors are designed to –
* pass RF frequencies with minimum losses
* pass DC voltages up to 48VDC @2 amps
* provide strain relief
Copyright MineCom 2005
Amplifiers
MineCom do not manufacture just one
model of VHF amplifier, they
manufacture -
SEVEN
different models with 15 variants
Copyright MineCom 2005
To learn more about individual MCA1000
Amplifiers press an information button below
Press the BACK button to return to this page
• VHF - VMLA
• VHF – VMLAD
• VHF - SMARTTune
• VHF – VLAV
• VHF - VLAVD
• VHF – VLAV-IS
• VHF – VWACA
Copyright MineCom 2005
Other Devices
MineCom manufacture a range of
passive devices that complement the
systems operation
Copyright MineCom 2005
To learn more about individual MCA1000
Amplifiers press an information button below
Press the BACK button to return to this page
• VHF – VBU1 Branch single
• VHF – VBU2 Branch dual
• VHF – VTB Termination Box
• VHF – VJB Joiner Box
• VHF - VJB-ANT In-Line Antenna
• VHF – VBU1-ANT In-Line Antenna
• VHF – VVAU In-Line Attenuator
• VHF – VVBU1 Video Branch single
• VHF – VPC Power Coupler Unit
Copyright MineCom 2005
System
Guidelines
Step FOUR
What information is
required from the
customer?
Copyright MineCom 2005
BEFORE we can provide you with
a firm quotation for an
MineCom1000
for your mine or tunnel, we need
some information from you….
Copyright MineCom 2005
STEP 1.
You must a)
Provide a current drawing or a sketch of the
mine tunnel layout.
b) The drawing MUST display ALL distances in
METRES.
c) The drawing MUST display all locations where
AC mains power is available i.e. 110VAC,
220VAC, or 240VAC
d) What type of mine is it, what commodity is
extracted???
Copyright MineCom 2005
Basic Tunnel Sketch
Surface
Your sketch does not need to be to
scale, as long as your distance
measurements are accurate
550m
455m
850m
260m
240VAC
power
240VAC
power
Copper
Mine
260m
760m
Copyright MineCom 2005
STEP 2.
From your sketch we will
produce a system drawing.
The system drawing will give
us the quantity of devices etc
required, which will enable us
to produce a quotation.
Copyright MineCom 2005
T
X
R
X
T
X
R
X
T
X
R
X
MCA1000 System
Diagram
Head End
500m
172 156
MHz MHz
50m
Branch 1
350m
172 156
MHz MHz
105m
350m
172 156
MHz MHz
260m
Terminator
Branch 2
260m
500m
172 156
Mhz Mhz
Teminator
500m
260m
Terminator
Terminator
Copyright MineCom 2005
STEP 3.
We also need a ‘Shopping list’,
that will tell us the additional
equipment that you require for
your communications project.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Jordan Mine Company SHOPPING LIST.
4 x Voice channels
1 x Data channels
3 x Video channels
Telemetry outstations
4 x SMARTAmp telemetry units
Video outstations
3 x SMARTCam cameras
Voice radios –
10 x Handheld
8 x Vehicle (light – 4WD)
2 x Heavy duty waterproof for Loader
5 x Heavy duty for Haul truck
2 x Office desktop Mini-base
Telephone connection –
1 x Radio to Telephone Interface
System PC based Diagnostics
4 x Outstations
Copyright MineCom 2005
STEP 4.
From this information we can produce a
quotation, which will be in the form of a
spreadsheet and split into a number of
sub-sections i.e.+ Head End equipment
+ Surface coverage
+ Underground devices
+ Video coverage
+ Telemetry coverage
+ Radio equipment
+ Spares etc.
+ Total System Cost
Copyright MineCom 2005
If you point and ‘Click’ on a hyperlink, this will take
you to another page providing additional information
on the product.
Copyright MineCom 2005
ADD ON’s
MineCom can offer you a
whole range of ADD ON
peripheral equipment that will
enhance your MCA1000 leaky
feeder system.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Telemetry
SCADA
PLC’s
Video
Radio Data Modems
Traffic Management
Cage & Skip Automation
Personnel & Vehicle Tracking
Copyright MineCom 2005
Copyright MineCom 2005
MineCom
53 Don Road, Devonport 7310
Tasmania Australia
Tel:- 03 6424 5666
Fax:- 03 6424 3994
Email:- sales@minecom.com
WEB:- HTTP://www.minecom.com
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Head End
The standard MCA1000 leaky Feeder Head End sub rack
combines the RF in/out ports of up to eight (8) voice
and data base station repeaters, with up to four (4)
leaky feeder output ports
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice Voice
RX
TX
Voice
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
Data
Video
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P3
P2
P1
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Head End
The standard MCA1000 Head End features include –
• Expandable
up to its full capacity of 32 channels (TX/RX)
• Voice – Data – Video ready
FM re-broadcast transmission capable
• Full duplex operation
minimum 15Mhz separation between TX and RX
• Diagnostics capable
on board system metering, isolate individual leaky feeder
output ports switchable in/out
• 19 inch rack mountable
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF RINGFeeder Head End
The MCA1000 RINGFeeder Head End sub rack combines the
RF in/out ports of up to eight (8) voice and data base station
repeaters, with up to four (4) leaky feeder output ports,
PLUS the return RINGFeeder cable port.
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Data
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
Video
RINGFeeder
MCA1000 Head End
RINGFeeder
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF RINGFeeder Head End
If the cable breaks, you can still talk on……..
……………BOTH SIDES OF THE CABLE BREAK.
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTControl Head End
The MCA1000 SMARTControl Head End sub rack is
designed to work with MineCom’s SMARTTune
amplifiers.
The SMARTControl head end provides a constant output
signal level whether 1 or all 32 base transmitters are
transmitting at the same time.
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Data Data
TX
RX
Voice
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
Data
Video
SMARTControl
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTControl Head End
A system design drawing is a MUST when using the
standard range of mine leaky feeder amplifiers.
Their design requires that the distance between any two
amplifiers is fixed, not variable (based on cable/branch
losses VERSUS amplifier gain, +/- 10%).
500m
172 156
MHz MHz
200m
172 156
MHz MHz
200m
Branch 1
172 156
MHz MHz
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTControl Head End
The SMARTControl head end provides a fixed reference
(output) level that enables SMARTTune amplifiers to
automatically adjust output gain, to compensate for the
aggregate losses between the two amplifiers.
172 156
MHz MHz
172 156
MHz MHz
172 156
MHz MHz
400m
500m
200m
300m
100m
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Diagnostic Head End Modem
The MCA1000 Diagnostic Head End sub rack provides
the interface between the remote VLAVD Diagnostic
amplifiers and the Diagnostics PC
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
next
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Diagnostics Head End
The Diagnostic Head End RF modem –
• communicates with diagnostic equipped down line
amplifiers to monitor system operation
• monitors amplifier, power coupler - RF levels – Volts Current – AC Fail
• provides an RS232 serial port to communicate with a
PC or PLC
• 19 inch rack mountable
MCA1000 Diagnostics Modem
Copyright MineCom 2005
Circuit Breaker Panel
The MCA1000 Circuit Breaker panel has a dual role –
a) as a re-settable circuit breaker in case of equipment
failure
b) enables the mines maintenance staff to quickly and
easily isolate the DC supply to any item of powered
equipment within the head end rack enclosure
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Voice Radio Repeaters
‘Talk-through-repeaters’ are required to provide
person to person mine wide voice communications.
The MCA1000 provides full duplex operation,
therefore separate base radio transmitters and
receivers are required to plug into the head end.
As there are no ‘off-the-shelf’ duplex handheld or
vehicle radios available, 2 frequency simplex versions
are used, with PTT (push-to-talk) operation.
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Voice Radio Repeaters
MineCom recommends the use of modular plug
in base station transmitters and receivers. They
can be replaced by maintenance staff in minutes
& automatically set themselves to the correct
channel frequency for that TX or RX slot.
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Voice Radio Repeaters
Lower cost one piece ‘talk-through-repeater’
base stations and mini repeaters are available
for smaller budgets.
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Data Radio Modem
The base data radio modem must also utilise separate
transmitters and receivers with the transmitter power
limited to 2 watts max.
MineCom offers both half duplex and full duplex data
radio modems with data speeds from 1200baud up to
19.2kbps on VHF hi-band frequencies.
MCA1000 Data Radio Modem
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Data Radio Modem
Radio modems can be used to link PLC’s, PC’s, or just
about any piece of electronic equipment that has an
RS232 or RS485 port.
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Transmitter Isolators
The MCA1000 is Data ready, so every precaution is
taken to ensure that no stray RF gets back into
another transmitter, voice or data.
The TX isolator is like a non return valve, it prevents
RF from another transmitter, getting into another
transmitter.
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF Transmitter Isolators
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTAmp Head End Radio Modem
The VHF SMARTAmp Head End sub rack provides the
interface between the remote SMARTAmp amplifiers
and a PC
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
next
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTAmp Head End Radio Modem
Interfaced to an Allan Bradley PLC
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTAmp Head End Radio Modem
SMARTAmp radio modem –
• Communicates via the head end with remote inline
SMARTAmp devices installed around the mine
• Communicates via a RS232 serial port with a PC or
PLC (software available for both)
• 19 inch rack mountable
MCA1000 SMARTAmp Modem
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTVideo Head End Demodulator
The VHF SMARTVideo Head End sub rack and plug in
Demodulator cards provide the interface between the
remote SMARTVideo cameras and the Video
Monitor/TV
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VHF SMARTVideo Head End Demodulator
The VHF SMARTVideo Head End sub rack will accept
up to 16 plug in demodulator cards, each preprogrammed for a different frequency with a video
level output to a video monitor.
Copyright MineCom 2005
Master PLC
Mine Com uses and recommends Allan Bradley PLC’s,
due their compatibility with MineCom’s data radio
modems and ready to use software for its Shaft
Automation, Truck Loader, Traffic Management,
SCADA and Telemetry systems
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
next
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
Copyright MineCom 2005
Master PLC
MineCom can either modify existing software or
commission new software to suit a customers
individual requirements
Copyright MineCom 2005
Radio to Telephone Interface
This device provides the wiring interface between a
voice radio repeater channel and a PABX extension
OR outside telephone line (PSTN)
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
Radio to Telephone Interface
The interface enables handheld portables and vehicle
radios on that channel to receive telephone initiated
calls any PABX extension at the mine.
Radios equipped with a DTMF keypad, can initiate
telephone calls with any PABX extension, or if
permitted, dial an outside telephone number.
Any radio can dial a pre-stored Emergency telephone
number by pressing the PTT button 4 times in quick
succession.
19 inch rack mountable
Copyright MineCom 2005
Audio Bridge
The Audio Bridge is similar in functions to a PABX system, i.e.
connects one telephone extension to one or more other
extensions. With an Audio Bridge, the audio wires from each
Transmitter & Receiver are wired into the Audio Bridge. The
Audio Bridge is programmed to interlink the audio feeds of two
or more of the voice repeaters, when activated by a remote
wireless command or manually operated at the Head End
Rack.
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
Audio Bridge
In an Emergency situation, some or ALL Voice channels
TX/RX audio lines can be bridged or linked together
(similar to a conference call on a PABX) to reduce
confusion during an Emergency – ‘what channel do I
switch to in an emergency’???
Transmit – 15 minute Blast warnings, Safety messages, all
channel Page call
When used in conjunction with a Voice Enunciator, stored
voice messages can be transmitted to maintenance staff
over all OR specific voice channels i.e. ‘Pump station 3
low water alarm’
The Mine Safety Officer can activate & deactivate the Audio
Bridge using the Selcall function of his handheld
portable radio
Copyright MineCom 2005
Voice Enunciator
This device is used to monitor alarm conditions
and when an alarm is activated, the device
automatically transmits a pre-recorded (stored)
voice message over one or more radio channels.
Voice
Enunciator
Audio Bridge
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
Voice Enunciator
• up to 80 seconds of solid state, battery-backed
memory provide natural voice storage
• push button or remote activated voice
announcements in any language
• stores pre-recorded voice messages
• individual voice messages can be activated
remotely by a PC, PLC or even a handheld radio
Copyright MineCom 2005
Power Supply
The Power supply is considered as a critical
component of the system, providing a regulated 12
volts DC, to power all electronic devices in the rack
enclosure. Power supplies offered will vary dependant
on the country of use. The power supply MUST be
capable of handling large fluctuations in input power,
without failing.
Battery
Back Up
240VAC – 12VDC
Power Supply
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Voice Voice
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
Data Data
TX
RX
TX
Isolator
MCA1000 Head End
Leaky Feeder Ports
P1
P2
P3
P4
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
Power Supply
•
•
•
•
•
Input voltages from 80VAC up to 240VAC
Output voltages from 12, 24 or 48VAC
Output current from 10 to 30 amps
Battery back up from 4 to 12 hours
Some units are equipped with on-board metering and
alarm functions
Copyright MineCom 2005
VMLA in-line amplifier
The VMLA (VHF-Mini-Line-Amplifier) mini amplifier
providing basic voice and data communications with
limited on-board diagnostics PLUS –
• On-board ‘drive-by’ diagnostics
- displaying TX/RX device OK, TX/RX ALC operating.
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
• 350 or 500m separation
• 12, 24 or 48VDC operation
Voice
Data
350m
500m
12,24,48v
Copyright MineCom 2005
VMLAD
The VMLAD (VHF-Mini-Line-Amplifier Diagnostics)
mini amplifier providing basic voice and data
communications PLUS • Manual Line Length Compensation
- the gain of the amplifier is manually adjustable to compensate for the losses
in the cable back to the next amplifier
• Digital on-board ‘drive-by’ diagnostics
- displaying signal strength, voltage level and current drain.
• No special tools or coax connectors required
• 350 or 500m separation
• 12, 24 or 48VDC operation
D
Voice
Data
350-500m
12,24,48v
Copyright MineCom 2005
SMARTTune
The SMARTTune mini amplifier provides basic voice
and data communications PLUS • Automatic Line Length Compensation
- the gain of the amplifier adjusts automatically to compensate for the losses
in the cable back to the next amplifier
• Digital On-board ‘drive-by’ Diagnostics
- displaying signal strength, voltage level and current drain.
• No special tools or coax connectors are required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
• Up to 500m cable separation
• 12, 24 or 48VDC operation
Voice
Data
Auto 500m
12,24,48v
Copyright MineCom 2005
VLAV
The VLAV (VHF-Line-Amplifier-Video) amplifier
providing voice, data & video communications with
limited on-board diagnostics PLUS –
• On-board ‘drive-by’ diagnostics
- displaying TX/RX device OK, TX/RX ALC operating.
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
• 350 or 500m separation
• 12, 24 or 48VDC operation
Voice
Data
Video
12,24,48v
Copyright MineCom 2005
VLAVD
The VLAV (VHF-Line-Amplifier-Video-Diagnostics)
amplifier providing voice, data & video
communications with limited on-board diagnostics
PLUS –
• PC based Diagnostics monitoring
– RF levels, Volts, current and AC/DC fail for Power Couplers
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
• 350 or 500m separation
• 12, 24 or 48VDC operation
D
D
Voice
Data
Video
12,24,48v
Copyright MineCom 2005
VLAVD-IS
The VLAVD-IS (VHF-Line-Amplifier-Video-Diagnostics
Intrinsic Safety) amplifier providing voice, data &
video communications with limited on-board
diagnostics PLUS –
• PC based Diagnostics monitoring
– RF levels, Volts, current and AC/DC fail for Power Couplers
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
• 350 or 500m separation
• 12VDC operation
Voice
Data
Video
12,24,48v
Copyright MineCom 2005
VWACA
The WACA (VHF-Wide-Area-Coverage-Amplifier)
amplifier - voice, data & video designed to provide
communications over a wide area, such as surface
coverage, large underground workshops. It utilises an
external antenna, which can be a unity gain or hi-gain
omni directional antenna or a hi-gain Yagi style
directional.
• 24VDC operation
Voice
Data
Video
Copyright MineCom 2005
VBU1 Branch Unit
The VBU1 (VHF-Branch-Unit 1) single branch unit
allows a cable to be ‘tee-d off’ or ‘split off’ into a side
tunnel or level –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VBU2 Branch Unit
The VBU2 (VHF-Branch-Unit 2) Dual branch unit
allows two cables to be ‘tee-d off’, or ‘split off’ from
the main cable at a cross junction –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VTB Termination Box
VTB (VHF-Termination-Box) Termination Boxes are
installed at the end of ALL cable runs, terminating the
cable into a 75ohm load as well as protecting the end
of the cable from the environment –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VJB Joiner Box
VJB (VHF-Joiner-Box) Joiner Boxes are used to repair
cable breaks as well as protecting the ends of the
cable from the environment –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VTB-ANT Termination Box with Antenna
The VTB-ANT (VHF-Termination-Box-Antenna) is a
modified Termination Box equipped with a Phel
antenna, to provide additional ‘off-air’ coverage at the
end of the cable run –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VBU1-ANT Branch Unit with Antenna
The VBU1-ANT (VHF-Branch-Unit-Antenna) is a
modified single branch unit equipped with a Phel
antenna in the branch port, to provide additional ‘offair’ coverage at a mid way point along the cable run –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VVAU Variable Attenuator
VVAU (VHF-Variable-Attenuator Unit ) provides
additional attenuation in a cable run between two
amplifiers, allowing a shorter length of cable to be
used –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VVBU1 Video Branch Coupler Unit
The VVBU1 (VHF-Video Branch-Unit 1) Video branch
coupler unit allows the output from a video camera
modulator to be coupled directly into the leaky feeder
cable –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
- MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
Copyright MineCom 2005
VPC Power Coupler Unit
VPC (VHF-Power Coupler Unit ) the DC power supplied
from the head end will only power ‘X’ number of
devices dependant on –
+ the voltage used (12, 24, 48VDC)
+ the current drain of the amplifiers used
One, or more VPC will be required to maintain the
correct DC voltage level in the system, by ‘injecting’
additional DC power into the leaky feeder cable to
down-line power the additional amplifiers –
• No special tools or coax connectors required
– MineCom’s simplified electrical style proprietary connection
next
Copyright MineCom 2005
VPC Power Coupler Unit
12VDC
12VDC
Copyright MineCom 2005