Bucyrus has developed an underground Miner’s Digital Assistant (MDA) which is compatible with sophisticated wireless and fibre-optic communication technologies with high baud rates.
In the past, most control circuits in mines involved low data transfer rates via copper wires, so a circuit analyser was an adequate troubleshooting tool, the company says.
However, with the advent of Ethernet, IP connections, fibre optics and wireless technology, more sophisticated test and measurement equipment was required.
Bucyrus says the intrinsically safe MDA can be used in network and maintenance tasks in explosion-hazard areas.
A serial port allows direct connection to embedded controls such as Bucyrus’ Programmable Mining Controllers (PMCs), while a diagnostic port allows monitoring of communications and signal quality.
The unit comes equipped with a 1 GB memory card for storage of programs and data, such as service documents and product manuals.
The MDA can also store required software programs and backups, such as those for electro-hydraulic roof support controls and drive controls.
This makes it unnecessary to carry numerous memory sticks or controllers.
It can establish a connection to the network via serial port or wireless LAN.
According to Bucyrus, the device is IP-65 rated and is approved for underground use in several countries, including Australia.