Master Installation Document PTXA Underground Mobile Platform and RF Tags

1.0 Hardware Overview

The DISPATCH Underground system uses a radio frequency (RF) network to report the locations of vehicles in the mine. RF location tags are mounted at strategic locations throughout the mine. Each tag is programmed with an RFID. Each RFID is associated with a specific mine location defined on the DISPATCH mine map. The PTXA mobile platform is installed on mine vehicles. The mobile platform Field Computer is connected by cable to a radio or WiFi antenna that communicates with an antenna linked to the central server. The Field Computer data port connects by cable to an RFID tag reader, which attaches by cable to an antenna that emits RF waves. When the RF waves encounter an RF tag, they activate the tag. The tag then transmits its RFID to the antenna. The antenna passes the ID to the tag reader, which passes it to the Field Computer. The Field Computer transmits the ID to the central server antenna by using its radio or WiFi. At the central server, the DISPATCH system receives the RFID and looks up its associated location on the mine map. It associates the location ID with the vehicle to determine the physical location of the vehicle in the mine.

Field Computer

2.0 Installation Options

The PTXA Mobile Platform RFID tag reader reads only C1G2 tags. If Amtech or Transcore tags are already installed in the mine, you have the following options. New Installation. Install the PTXA mobile platform on all vehicles and replace all tags with C1G2 tags. If you mount new tags in the same locations and positions as the old tags, the new RFID reader antennas should be mounted on vehicles in the same position and direction as the old ones. For completely new installations, place both tags and tag Part Number: reader antennas according to the installation plan.

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 Mixed Installation. Install the PTXA mobile platform on some vehicles and keep the existing platform on others. Keep the existing tags and add C1G2 tags in work locations where vehicles will be equipped with the new platform. You can place the C1G2 tags in new locations or next to existing tags, but not on top of them. Place the new tags at least six inches from the old ones. If you replace existing tags with C1G2 tags (in the same locations and positions), make sure that you install the new RFID reader antennas in the same position and orientation as the old ones.

3.0 Installation Process

To install the PTXA mobile platform and RF tags, you complete the following main tasks: 1 Plan the network. 2 Install and configure the PTXA mobile platform on mine vehicles. 3 Configure RF location tags. 4 Mount RF tags in the mine.

3.1 Planning the Network

Installing an effective RF network requires careful planning. If possible, include a system integrator who has experience in underground mines. During planning consider, at a minimum, the following: Is this an all new installation, or will a new system be installed alongside an existing system? See Installation Options. Identify mine locations where location tags will be placed. See Choosing Where to Install Tags in the Mine. Determine the purpose of each tag. From what direction and distance will it be detected? Should it be activated by approaching vehicles, departing vehicles, or both? How much area do you want it to cover? Can it be placed to catch deflected waves in a constricted area? For more on this and the following issues, see Optimization Factors. Identify the best tag for the job. Determine the position and orientation of RFID tag reader antennas on vehicles. Correct installation is key to system performance and reliability. Determine how each RF location tag will be oriented relative to tag reader antennas. Create a master list that includes planning and installation information for each RF location tag. The following table is an example of a master list. You can add columns for additional information. You can upate the list at each step in the installation process.
Loc. ID or Coordinates ... How Tag Should Work Tag Read Range Antenna Range Antenna Orientation Tag Position and Orientation

Dec. RFID 17 ...

Hex. EPC 0011

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3.2 Installing and Configuring the PTXA Mobile Platform on Mine Vehicles
The PTXA mobile platform is available in various configurations. Installation requirements and methods are specific to the configuration and the type of vehicle the platform is installed on. For information about configurations and how to install standard and optional components, refer to the PTXA Mobile Platform Hardware Installation Guide for Underground Mines. Once you install the mobile platform, you set wireless parameters for the mobile platform Field Computer and then install CAB files and application software on the Field Computer. For instructions, see the following guides: PTXA Field Computer - Configuring Wireless Parameters Guide (for DISPATCH) PTXA Field Computer - Installing CAB Files (Using a USB Flash Drive) Loading DISPATCH Underground 5.x Mobile Application Software Locally for PTXA

3.3 Configuring RF Location Tags

Configuring RF tags includes the following tasks: 1 Manually label each tag with a decimal RFID number and the corresponding hexadecimal value. 2 Associate each tags decimal RFID with a mine location using the DISPATCH Location Utility. 3 Program each tag with a hexadecimal electronic product code (EPC) using the ThingMagic USB RFID Reader. For instructions on configuring RF location tags, see Configuring RF Location Tags. For instructions on installing the ThingMagic USB RFID Reader, see Installing the USB RFID Reader.

3.4 Mounting RF tags in the Mine

Mount configured RF tags according to the mine plan. 1 Take each tag to its recorded location. 2 Orient the tag according the installation plan. 3 Install the tag according to manufacturer instructions.

4.0 Optimization Factors

The reliability and precision of an RF network depends on a number of factors. For example, communication between an RF location tag and a tag reader antenna are influenced by: The strength of the waves emitted by the antenna. The type of RF tag and its read range. The relative orientation of the tag to the tag reader antenna. Objects or barriers that deflect, reflect, or amplify RF waves. The following topics provide information to help you plan an effective RF network.

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4.1 RF Tags
The DISPATCH Underground system uses Class 1 Generation 2 (C1G2) passive RF location tags. The RF tag reader uses an RFID dipole antenna to continuously transmit an unmodulated RF signal and receive RF reflections from RF tags. Passive RF tags get their energy from tag reader antennas. Until a tag is stimulated by RF waves from an antenna, it is inactive. The strength of the waves it receives from the antenna determines the strength of its response. C1G2 tags store the RFID as a hexadecimal electronic product code (EPC). The DISPATCH system uses the decimal equivalent of the EPC to link the tag to its location ID on the mine map. To comply with both standards, you will need to use both the decimal and hexadecimal values to configure RF location tags. (See PTXA Mobile Platform, Configuring RF Location Tags.)

4.2 Tag Read Range

The range within which a tag and tag reader antenna can effectively exchange RF waves is determined by tag specifications, antenna cable length, and the tags orientation to the tag reader antenna. The C1G2 tags provided by MMSI have read ranges of approximately 30 feet (PN 107399) and 60 feet (PN 107400). Tags provided by other suppliers may have different specifications. In instances where you want to detect vehicles at a greater distancewhen approaching or departing a work area, for exampleyou might select a tag with a longer range.To detect only vehicles within close proximity to a certain area, you might select a tag with a shorter range.

4.3 Positioning the Tag Reader Antenna

The strength of emissions from the tag reader antenna and the orientation of the antenna relative to a tag affect the tags read range and reliability. PTX configurations for underground mines allow the tag reader to be located up to 60 feet from the Field Computer, and the antenna to be located up to 50 feet from the tag reader.This flexibility allows you to position the antenna for optimal communication with tags (see Orienting Tags and Tag Reader Antennas). However, the antenna gets its power from the tag reader, so cable length can affect the strength of RF emissions. Using a longer cable reduces read change; using a shorter cable increases it. MMSI typically estimates read ranges based on a ninefoot antenna cable. Using a cable 18 to 20 feet long would probably reduce read range by two percent to five percent. MMSI recommends testing to determine the read range between installed antennas and the tags you want them to communicate with before mounting the tags in the mine. Where to place an antenna on a vehicle depends on the type of vehicle. On LHDs, place antennas on the body between the shovel arms or on top of, behind, or in front of the cab. On trucks, place antennas on top of, behind, or in front of the cab.

4.4 Choosing Where to Install Tags in the Mine

Install tags at strategic locations such as points close to intersections, between intersections, and close to passes. If mine radios use leaky feeder or WiFi hotspots, consider placing tags near them. Placing more tags closer together gives finer position resolution. Placing tags with the same RFID close to each other can increase the reliability or range of the location. If tags with different RFIDs are placed too close to each other, the tag reader may lose its ability to discriminate between them. Exact

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distances depend on the type of tag and configuration of the tag reader and antenna. In general, a distance of 10 feet is considered close. If you are using old (Amtech or Transcore) tags and C1G2 tags in the same work location, you can place the C1G2 tags next to the old tags but not on top of them. MMSI recommends placing the new tags at least six inches from the old ones.

4.5 Orienting Tags and Tag Reader Antennas

The antennas signal spreads outward in a teardrop pattern. The more of the tags surface is exposed to the signal, the more energy it receives. More energy produces a stronger and more reliable signal. For the best reception, position the tag and the tag reader antenna, as much as possible, with their broadest sides aligned.

Generally, you will want to position tags to provide the strongest and most reliable signals. However, in some work locations you might want a tag to be read only in specific circumstances. In that case, you can orient the tag accordingly. For example, you might place a tag so that it wont be detected until an approaching vehicle turns a corner, or passes through a certain point, and so forth.

Copyright 2010 Modular Mining Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Revision History
Revision A Date 20-AUG-2010 Comments First issue

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Copyright 2010 Modular Mining Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.