Mining Contract: Develop a Means to Model Network Performance Using Network Simulation Tools
| Contract # | 08FEB898345 |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 2/15/2008 |
| End Date | 8/15/2009 |
| Research Concept |
This contract will develop modeling and simulation tools to evaluate the performance of underground mine wireless communications networks. Specifically, the tools will analyze the performance of Medium Frequency (MF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) mesh networking communications systems under development for NIOSH and help identify approaches to system interoperability. Techniques to increase the reliability of the communications systems may be proposed based on the performance evaluation. |
| Topic Area |
Contract Status & Impact
This contract is complete.
No final report was generated from this contract, but a related publication is available below. A new agreement has been entered into with NIST to continue working on the modeling and simulation tools and to provide related technical support.
This contract was funded as part of an interagency agreement program, which provides a formal means for federal government agencies to share and further technology that could apply to and benefit mine safety and health. OMSHR identifies other government agencies with the knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to a health and safety gap and works collaboratively with these agencies to identify the type of technology solution desired and to determine specifications for this technology.
Under this contract, NIST demonstrated the proposed modeling and simulations tools for underground communications networks and reported on the performance of a simulated MF and UHF mesh networking communications system. Some performance issues such as propagation delay, package routing, and antenna orientation were clarified or identified. The overhead and broadcast issues regarding network layer routing protocols were identified. The report provided a detailed description of the simulation process and the results with a typical example of the MF-UHF Kutta system.
The following publication describes a simulation tool for modeling performance of a medium frequency mesh network that was developed under this contract. Copies of this publication may also be ordered by sending a request to mining@cdc.gov.
Simulation of a Medium Frequency Mesh Network for Communications in Underground Coal Mines
Souryal-M, Valoit-FA, Guo-H, Moayeri-N, Damiano-NW; Snyder-DP | in Proc. IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Annual Meeting, Oct.3-7, 2010
- Advanced Tutorial on Wireless Communication and Electronic Tracking: Communication System Performance
- Antenna Design & Coupling Studies at Medium Frequency for lmproved Coal Mine Communications
- Medium-Frequency Propagation in Coal Mines
- Propagation of EM Signals in Underground Mines
- Theoretical Noise and Propagation Models for Through-the-earth Communication
- Through-The-Earth Wireless Real-Time Two-Way Voice Communications
- Transmit Antennas for Portable VLF to MF Wireless Mine Communications
- U.S. Bureau of Mines New Developments in Mine Communications
- Underground Mine Communications
- Wireless Through-The-Earth Modeling and Support