Minecom MCA 2000

Minecom Leaky Feeder

TR MineCom and Pyott-Boone Electronics offer the MCA2000 UHF leaky feeder system providing Full Duplex Voice and Data communications. The MCA2000 operates in the 450 to 490 MHz frequency range with 10Mhz of TX bandwidth and 10Mhz of RX bandwidth with 25Mhz separation between TX and RX. While the frequency band is quoted as 450 to 490Mhz, the band is limited by frequency separation between TX and RX. (i.e. the MCA2000 could be Base RX 450 to 460Mhz and Base TX 480 to 490Mhz). The MineCom series is completely flexible and can be adapted for any mining or non-mining application. The down line distribution system is easily changed, expanded, or adapted by the customers trained electrical staff as the operation grows. MineCom ‘leaky feeder’ communication systems are capable of providing ‘mine-wide’ radio communications covering in excess of 60 miles of underground mine entries. In fact, wherever you run MineCom’s leaky feeder cable to our specifications, we guarantee voice, data and video coverage.

HEAD END

The Head End can be located either on the surface (required in U.S. Coal mining) or underground, however it is recommended that the Head End be centrally located if underground. The ‘Heart and Brains’ of the system is the ‘Head End’ (UHE) and along with the voice and data radio repeaters; optional components such as video distribution units, telephone interface, PBE Page Phone Coupler, etc.; power supply; and stand-by batteries is mounted in a standard 19” rack cabinet. The Head End supports up to four leaky feeder output ports for redundancy and economy or three outputs in a fully redundant SMART Reverse system (not yet MSHA approved); a fault in one leaky feeder leg will have no effect on the other legs. Front panel switches are provided to enable mine staff to switch the DC power on/off to each leaky feeder cable leg to assist with fault finding and allow staff to log voltage levels & current drain etc. Additionally the rack includes a circuit breaker panel with breakers for all major devices located inside the rack.

LEAKY FEEDER DEVICE CONNECTIONS

All Minecom devices offer standard N type RF connectors or Minecom’s proprietary leaky feeder electrical style terminal & saddle connections depending on the type of leaky feeder cable used. The Minecom cable connection method allows for easy assembly underground, without the need for specialized training, tools or skills.

AMPLIFIERS

MineCom offers a wide range of Bi-Directional Amplifiers such as Voice & Data; Voice/Data/Video; Voice/Data/ SMARTDiagnostics; Voice/Data/Video/SMARTDiagnostics models and the recently released SMART Reverse amplifier which allows the leaky feeder cable to be looped back to the head end (SMART Reverse Head End required). In a Smart Reverse system if the cable is damaged the amplifiers on the inby side of the break automatically reverse direction thus providing communications on both sides of the damaged cable section. The amplifiers are required to overcome losses incurred as the signals progress along the leaky feeder cable, pass through a branch, etc. The normal distance between amplifiers is a whole roll of cable or 1148’ (350m) unless there is a branch, voltage barrier or power coupler in-line between them. Amplifiers are down line powered by 24 VDC or 48 VDC (non-coal use only) with MSHA approved units using a 96 hour, 14 VDC battery pack called the Model 1955 to supply I.S. power.

DIAGNOSTICS

All MineCom amplifiers have ultra bright diagnostic LED’s that can be easily seen from a distance. Drive-By-Diagnostics® amplifiers indicate ALC operation, DC voltage level and operating status. SMARTDiagnostics® amplifiers contain a PC based diagnostics module enabling mine staff to monitor that amplifiers voltage, current & signal level using a desktop PC connected to the Head End. MineCom amplifiers were specifically designed for the transmission of high speed Data. They feature ALC (Automatic Level Control) circuits to overcome signal level changes, as well as over coming variances in the distance between amplifiers. They also offer a high level of sideband immunity, as well as a high level of immunity from external noise.

OTHER DEVICES

In line devices like single or dual branch units are used to provide coverage off the main line with a single branch for ‘T junctions’ and a dual branch for ‘X junctions’. Other components such as termination boxes ensure the correct standing-wave-ratio (VSWR) along the cable at each, joiner boxes are used to reconnect cable breaks, and the power coupler works in conjunction with any PBE power supply.

VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

There is a large range of two-way voice communications equipment including Talk-Through-Repeaters, Base Stations, Handheld Portables, Vehicle radios, Fresh Air Base radios and Desktop radios that work with the MineCom Leaky feeder system. Additionally Radio to Telephone and Radio to Pager Phone interfaces for one or more Voice channels can be connected in the rack. The PBX Interconnect unit provides the interface between a base station radio and every PBX extension in the mine, telephone calls can also be made to off-site PSTN or GSM telephone numbers if enabled. Third party audio bridges are useful for connecting multiple repeaters or interfaces together either for day to day use or emergency situations.

DATA COMMUNICATIONS

Once the basic leaky feeder infrastructure is installed it is easy to add data to the system to provide Telemetry for monitoring and control including pumps, fans, sub stations, etc. Data Radio Modems are used to transfer data at baud rates of up to 28.8 Kbps. Data radio modems can generally be connected to any piece of equipment that has an RS232 / 485 port and are available in half duplex and full duplex configuration. The MineCom SMARTAmp® device also offers a low-cost leaky feeder based telemetry system. SMARTAmps simply splice into the Leaky Feeder cable as you would any in-line device and use the leaky feeder cable to transmit & receive data plus it is powered from the leaky feeder cable. SMARTAmps offer up to 8 analog or 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs making them ideal for the monitoring and control of pumps, fans, sub stations, gas monitors, air quality monitors, conveyor belts etc. Not all options are being MSHA evaluated so please contact a PBE representative if fall under MSHA regulations. MineCom also offers a range of leaky feeder based systems in other frequency bands such as the MCA1000 VHF series, MCA3000 800/900Mhz, and MCA4000 2.4 Ghz systems.Contact us for information on these and other add on products.

INTERFACE TO THE PYOTT-BOONE MONITORING SYSTEM COMING SOON!!