Funkwerk and Rohill team to provide mining solution

German two-way radio manufacturer Funkwerk Security Communications and critical network specialist Rohill have released a solution for use in hazardous underground mining and tunnelling environments.

The rugged handheld FT4 S Ex TETRA radio, already approved for hazardous gas and dust environments, is now also IECEx- and ATEX-certified for M2 mining. In addition to be mining-certified, the radio also integrates enhanced personal emergency features in combination with indoor localisation.

Rohill’s TETRA infrastructure solution TetraNode uses standard hardware and software components to create an economical and powerful system. TetraNode’s flat network architecture based on nodes challenges the traditional hierarchical way of building networks, with the principles of IP networking adopted to generate flexible network designs. Rohill and Funkwerk’s solution is designed to significantly improve modern-day mining methods and to provide operators with excellent communication and security.

Beside enhanced personal emergency and safety functions, the solution also offers features such as tagging and the ability to count miners in especially hazardous zones. Instant, system-wide broadcast messaging and reliable, precise detection of personnel and vehicles using LF magnetic fields come at little or no extra cost.