Internetworking

All MineTrax battery-powered wireless network infrastructure nodes have an RS-232 port for internetworking:

MineTrax Gateways connected to this RS-232 internetworking port create backhaul links to surface via the backbone network. Once this infrastructure is in place, all MineTrax-enabled terminal devices can establish two-way communications with the MineTrax Central Server via the MineTrax battery-powered wireless network and gateway backhaul links:

Ethernet gateways can be installed underground where fiber and power is available, e.g. in an electrical substation or pumping station. The internetworking architecture for this scenario is illustrated in the following figure:

Leaky feeder gateways can be installed underground where leaky feeder and power is available, e.g. within 2,000 meters from the face. The internetworking architecture for this scenario is illustrated in the following figure:

Finally, if no power or backbone network are available underground, or to re-establish communications after an accident occurred, the MineTrax post-accident network probe can be dropped down a ventilation shaft or 2" bore hole via an RS-422 cable. The internetworking architecture for this scenario is illustrated in the following figure: