Becker Mining SA’s high-speed WRAP system for dependable communication in the mining sector

Becker Mining South Africa’s Electronics division specialises in automation and communication systems, which are designed to enhance productivity and improve safety in the mining sector.

This advanced range encompasses the dependable WRAP Wi-Fi system, which is recognised by the local and global coal mining sector for reliable, safe and efficient high-speed communication underground. Becker Mining has successfully deployed a large WRAP backbone installation at one of the leading coal mines in South Africa recently.

WRAP has a versatile design, which means a combination of communications backbones can be used to optimise the system. For example, fibre can be used for high data throughput up to 1GB. In working sections of a coal mine, where there is frenetic activity, a wireless mesh topology is recommended.

“The company has made a substantial investment in researching and testing underground Wi-Fi systems to overcome the problems associated with conventional Wi-Fi systems in arduous underground conditions,” says Andrew Trentelman, Senior General Manager, Electronics Division, Becker Mining South Africa. “The intrinsically safe (IS) WRAP, with certification from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has ICASA type approval.

“A critical feature of this advanced system is its IS design, which enables safe use in harsh and potentially explosive coal mining conditions. What’s important about Becker’s systems – each of which can be customised to exact requirements – is that each product can be installed as a single stand-alone system, or it can be deployed using a phased approach to minimise a massive initial capital outlay.

“The Becker WRAP (Wireless Router Access Point) provides a high-speed backbone for wireless VoIP, seamless roaming of devices, advanced vehicular dispatch systems, process automation, as well as any device which can utilise a wireless, serial or fibre backbone. This system does not limit usage to a single technology, but encompasses migration and integration of many technologies. The IS WRAP unit’s small form factor, weighing less than 5 kg, ensures ease of installation and maintenance.”

WRAP is the primary component in creating the Becker Wi-Fi IS backbone. The internal layer 3 router contains the logic to route all network traffic to the correct interface card or to the correct fibre point. The route of network traffic is based on the rules configured into the router itself. Firewall rules can also be configured to control bandwidth usage of protocols, as well as to provide security to the network. The router configuration allows for “self-healing” capabilities of the network, in the event of a unit failure in the system.

WRAP supports various configuration implementations – ranging from traditional distributed antenna backbones, interconnected via a redundant fibre optic loop – to mixed configurations, using redundant WDS (wireless distribution systems) and redundant fibre optic loops.

The unit incorporates an additional fibre optic port for teeing off the main backbone used for connecting to a switch. The unit also includes an IS RS485 bus to communicate with any industrial serial device, such as multiple Becker UATRs (UHF active tag readers) for tagging and tracking implementations.

An important feature of Becker’s technology is each system is designed to facilitate future upgrades. These advancements are usually applied in the form of a software update.

Systems from Becker Mining South Africa include Smartsense environmental monitoring and leaky feeder systems, as well as Wi-Fi and underground tracking of personnel and vehicles. Fibre optic and digital radio networks, belt rip detection for overland conveyors and SCADA and Ethernet networks are also available from Becker Mining South Africa.

Becker Mining also specialises in advanced transportation and infrastructure technology for the global mining sector.