volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

An underground coal mine medium frequency (MF) communication system generally couples its electromagnetic signals to a long conductor in a tunnel, which acts as a transmission line, and exchanges signals with transceivers along the line. The propagation characteristics of the transmission line, which is usually the longest signal path for an MF communication system, play a major role in determining the system performance. To measure the MF propagation characteristics of transmission lines in coal mine tunnels, a method was developed based on a basic transmission line model. The method will be presented in this paper along with the propagation measurements on a transmission line system in a coal mine using the method. The measurements confirmed a low MF signal power loss rate, and showed the influence of the electrical properties of surrounding coal and rock on the MF propagation characteristics of the line.

1. Stolarczyk, L. G., "Emergency and operational low and medium frequency band communications system for underground mines," IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 27, No. 4, 780-790, Jul./Aug 1991.
doi:10.1109/28.85496

2. Stolarczyk, L. G. and H. Dobroski, "Medium frequency vehicular control and communication systems for underground mines," IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference, 316-321, May 1984.

3. Dobroski, H. and L. G. Stolarczyk, "Control and monitoring via medium-frequency techniques and existing mine conductors," IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 21, No. 4, 1087-1092, Jul. 1985.
doi:10.1109/TIA.1985.349583

4. Stolarczyk, L. G., "A medium frequency wireless communication system for underground mines," A.R.F. Products, Inc., 83-103, Sep. 1984.

5. Stolarczk, L. G., M. Sepich, and K. Smoker, "A medium frequency wireless communication system for underground mines," Report from A.R.F. Products, Inc., Jan. 1983.

6. Li, J., B. Whisner, and J. Waynert, "Measurements of medium frequency propagation characteristics of a transmission line in an underground coal mine," Record of IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, 1-8, Oct. 2012.

7. Li, J., B. Whisner, and J. Waynert, "Measurements of medium frequency propagation characteristics of a transmission line in an underground coal mine," IEEE Trans. on IAS, Vol. 49, No. 5, 1-8, Sep./Oct 2013.

8. Carson, J. R., "Wave propagation in overhead wires with ground," Bell System Technical Journal, Vol. 5, 539-553, 1926.
doi:10.1002/j.1538-7305.1926.tb00122.x

9. D'Amore, M. and M. Sabrina, "Simulation model of a dissipative transmission line above a lossy ground for a wide-frequency range | Part I: Single conductor configuration," IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 38, No. 2, 127-128, May 1996.
doi:10.1109/15.494615

10. Degauque, P., G. Courbet, and M. Heddebaut, "Propagation along a line parallel to the ground surface: Comparison between the exact solution and the quasi-TEM approximation," IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 25, No. 4, 422-427, Nov. 1983.
doi:10.1109/TEMC.1983.304131

11. Agrawal, A., K. Lee, L. Scott, and H. Fowles, "Experimental characterization of multiconductor transmission lines in the frequency domain," IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 21, No. 1, 20-27, Feb. 1997.

12. Volakis, J., Antenna Engineering Handbook, 4th Ed., 51-3-51-43, 2007.

13. Shevgaonkar, G. R. K., "Transmission lines and EM waves," On-line Lecture Series, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT,, Jan. 2008.

14. Paul, C. R., "Analysis of Multiconductor Transmission Lines," Published by A John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 240-278, 2007.

15. Coaxial Cable,.
doi:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial cable

Dr. Jingcheng Li

Dr. Joseph Waynert

Dr. Bruce G. Whisner