Mines & Tunnels  

ViaLite mine and tunnel RF over Fibre communication systems extend single or multiple networks for many tens of kilometres providing communication reliability and redundancy in demanding and harsh environments.  This ensures efficient communication between surface and underground operations thereby enhancing productivity and safety.  ViaLite has a proven track record in addressing customer applications for many communication technologies including:

• Private Mobile Radio (PMR)
• TETRA
• GSM-R 
• Cellular
• GPS
• UHF/VHF Radio and TV signal distribution

The rail market provides an example of where ViaLite technology is used in tunnel networks.  The introduction of the European Rail Traffic Management System with uniform and unique signaling standards throughout Europe puts new requirements on the GSM-R systems.  These include continuous and redundant coverage along all railway tracks, including coverage in tunnels.  ViaLite equipment meets these standards.  In the case of subterranean locations, ViaLite Metro GPS combined with ViaLite GPS re-radiators may be installed to deliver precise train location across the entire rail network, including tunnels and urban canyons, without any appreciable degradation of the signal.  Such an installation supports underground radio communications and enables continuous train monitoring even when satellite line-of-sight is lost.

The use of GPS signals is now pervasive in everyday technology as they provide high accuracy location or timing data.  This enables devices that range from tracking systems through to cellular phone networks to function effectively over wide geographic areas.  The requirement for GPS re-radiation within buildings and subterranean locations such as mines and tunnels continues to attract much attention.  For GPS timing distribution the ViaLite Metro GPS fibre optic link is a reliable yet simple method for transporting GPS signals from antenna to receiver in situations where these two points are far apart or inaccessible.  The ViaLite Metro-GPS product range offers a high performance, cost effective alternative to conventional coax-cable systems for synchronising digital communication systems to GPS derived timing signals.