Wireless Communication in Underground Mines: RFID-based Sensor Networking

Wireless communication has emerged as an independent discipline in the past decades. Everything from cellular voice telephony to wireless data transmission using wireless sensor networks has profoundly impacted the safety, production, and productivity of industries and our lifestyle as well. After a decade of exponential growth, the wireless industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Therefore, it would be an injustice if the wireless communication is not explored for mining industry. Underground mines, which are characterized by their tough working conditions and hazardous environments, require fool-proof mine-wide communication systems for smooth functioning of mine workings and ensuring better safety. Proper and re- able communication systems not only save the machine breakdown time but also help in immediate passing of messages from the vicinity of underground working area to the surface for day-to-day normal mining operations as well as for speedy rescue operations in case of disaster. Therefore, a reliable and effective commu- cation system is an essential requisite for safe working, and maintaining requisite production and productivity of underground mines. Most of the existing systems generally available in underground mines are based on line (wired) communication principle, hence these are unable to withstand in the disaster conditions and dif?cult to deploy in inaccessible places. Therefore, wireless communication is an indispe- able, reliable, and convenient system and essential in case of day-to-day normal duty or disaster situations.