Abstract
In this paper, a new geographic information systems (GIS)-based algorithm is proposed for supporting the initial design of a wireless communications system in open-pit mines. In this algorithm, multiple candidate transmitter (wireless access point) locations are selected considering the probability of further development and environmental factors in the mine. Then, a three-dimensional (3D) partial Fresnel zone between the transmitter and the receiver is defined and its 3D Fresnel index calculated by communication viewshed analysis of topographic data. The initial design for a transmitter layout is then determined based on the 3D Fresnel indices, which are calculated for all candidate transmitter locations. The proposed algorithm was applied to an open-pit mine located in Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea. The 3D Fresnel indices were calculated for 15 candidate transmitter locations, and an initial transmitter layout then designed considering favorable combinations of two, three, and four transmitters. The proposed algorithm provided more precise Fresnel index overlay maps for the favorable transmitter candidate combinations than other algorithms based on line-of-sight and two-dimensional partial Fresnel zone analyses. Application of the algorithm to an open-pit mine where a wireless communications system is already installed revealed that the initial transmitter layout design is acceptable in terms of providing reasonable information on the coverage area of transmitters. Because the proposed algorithm provides an initial transmitter layout that can be modified after field investigations, it can support efficient design of wireless communications systems for use in open-pit mines.
Highlights
Global declines in the price of minerals and the depletion of high quality mineral reserves have caused drops in both mineral production and profits for mining companies [1]
One recent trend is the emergence of digital technologies for mining operations [5], including fleet management systems for maximizing the operation of equipment [6,7,8,9,10,11], safety management systems for monitoring worker safety at mining sites in real time [12,13,14,15,16], and production management systems for real-time reporting and scheduling [12,17]
These types of digital technologies require a wireless communications network for proper operation [21], which typically means that wireless access points (APs) are installed at the mining site to form a wireless LAN (WLAN) [22] that allows for Energies 2018, 11, 3063; doi:10.3390/en11113063
Summary
Global declines in the price of minerals and the depletion of high quality mineral reserves have caused drops in both mineral production and profits for mining companies [1]. Other examples include equipment automation systems [18,19] and technology for the remote operation of mining sites [12,20] In these systems, data pertaining to equipment operation, worker safety, and production processes is commonly collected in real time on a web server or in the cloud, thereby enabling scheduling and instructions to be delivered in real time. Data pertaining to equipment operation, worker safety, and production processes is commonly collected in real time on a web server or in the cloud, thereby enabling scheduling and instructions to be delivered in real time These types of digital technologies require a wireless communications network for proper operation [21], which typically means that wireless access points (APs) are installed at the mining site to form a wireless LAN (WLAN) [22] that allows for Energies 2018, 11, 3063; doi:10.3390/en11113063 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies. Three-dimensional (3D) communication viewshed analysis of topographic data is conducted to calculate
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