Problem: Distance + Terrain + Vibration + Workers

[dave755]

This feels like a tough problem. I am hoping that someone in the community has an idea that might help. Community brilliance would be greatly appreciated.

The situation: I am working on an application that requires internet connection to a mobile, remote piece of mining equipment. The connection does not need to be high speed, but it does need to be reliable.

There are several interlocking difficulties that make this a particularly nasty problem:

1) Remote location.
In many (but not all) cases, this equipment is located miles from the nearest utility pole.

2) Terrain
Being mining equipment, it is located in the mountains. While it does not actually go into the hole, it is close to the side of the mountain. A clear view of the southern sky is not guaranteed. A clear line of sight to anything resembling civilization is unlikely.

3) Vibration
The machine experiences significant vibration. Peak to peak amplitudes of 6 inches are common, with extreme amplitudes reaching 18 inches. Vibration is relatively low frequency.

4) The workers
On-Site staff is typically low-skill and low motivation. There is a real possibility that they will regard the Internet application as spyware. In any case, they will not be unhappy if it breaks and are unlikely to expend any effort to fix it.

5) Mobility
The mining machine moves. Every few weeks, the machine is packed up and moved to a new mountain. While at a single site, the machine moves slowly along the face of the mountain. The speed is a few feet per day. Dave Gee

http://www.AthenaDataSystems.Com

 

[manarth]

I'd look at using a WiFi repeater solution of some description.

Use a non-moving base on the mountainside to connect over a longer range (e.g. long distance WiFi using directional antennae (10km theoretical range using Yagi antennae) or satellite internet).

Connect this long distance base to a short range WiFi AP / router, and have mining machinery connect using WiFi.

i.e.
SatNet --- Sat Modem --- WAP ***** WiFi card --- PC on mining machinery.

The short range WiFi should prove easy to setup - the long range connection will depend on your facilities; i.e. if you're out in the styx, you will probably be dependant on satellite internet/phone. If you can receive a GSM mobile phone signal, then your long range connection to the internet could be using normal dialup (assuming a dialup connection is fast enough for you).
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[jimbopalmer]

I worked at a gold mine, we set up a drectional antenna for all our dewtering drill holes and used omni directionals to talk back, we also talk to shovels in the pit wireless. you sound like you want wireless to the drill rigs doing exploration drilling. which we had not done, when I left.

Range is often very good in mining, as there is little competition for the airwaves. I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.