The InSeT Systems Inertial Sensor Tracking and Communication System is the best system available on the market today. The advantages include-

1. Accuracy - The InSeT System with an accuracy of 25 feet after 24 hours of operation is unmatched.
2. Combined tracking and communication - The InSeT System has tracking and two-way voice and text communication in one compact device.
3. Truly wireless - The InSeT System requires no wires to relay the location and communication data out of the mine. The wireless mesh network does it all.
4. Simplicity - The InSeT System requires only miner tracking units for each person or piece of equipment to be tracked, blast proof relays as needed to relay the data from the mine, a battery charging station at the mine portal, and a dispatcher station in the mine office.
5. Compliance - The InSeT System meets MSHA guidelines, both those currently in place and expected future requirements.
6. Operations improvements - The InSeT System will generate operating and productivity improvements to pay for the system while complying with the MINER Act of 2006.

Accuracy

The intent of the MINER Act of 2006 was to improve the chances of miner rescues when an underground accident takes place. For a system to truly facilitate these enhanced rescue chances, it must provide accurate location data in real time. The inertial sensor in the InSeT System, the same technology used in submarines and on guided missiles and spacecraft, is carefully selected to provide these accurate readings. By combining a cost-effective sensor with proprietary software to maximize performance, the InSeT System can operate for 24 hours or more with no more than 25 feet of accumulated error. The Miner Tracker is reset to the zero position during the off-shift charging cycle of the tracker and is ready to generate location data as soon as a miner coming on shift picks it up. It continues to generate location data, process it on board the tracker to convert the data to latitude and longitude coordinates, and relay the data over the wireless mesh network to be displayed on the base computer.

Competing RFID systems, (and all of the competing tracking systems are RFID or reverse RFID) rely on the location of tag readers to determine when someone moves through a zone. If a tag passes a reader, the reader notes the event and sends the data over whatever system is used to relay the data. It can only read a tag when it passes a reader and most of these systems do not know which direction it is going when it passes. No additional position data is generated until the tag passes another reader. The spacing of the readers is the critical factor in determining the system accuracy. If the readers are 500 feet apart, the accuracy would be no better than 250 feet, and perhaps as great as 500 feet. To match the accuracy of the InSeT System, the readers would have to be every 25-50 feet.

A location system that is not accurate enough to facilitate quick rescues is not a significant improvement in safety.

Combined Tracking and Communications

The MINER act mandates tracking and communication. The InSeT System combines these two functions in one compact lightweight device. The Miner Tracker unit includes a two-way text and voice communications link with the battery that supports the inertial sensor. The tracker sits in a holster attached to the miner’s belt or shoulder strap. It is inverted to protect the battery charging terminals for the next charging cycle. In this inverted position, the LED signal light is visible when it is illuminated signaling a message, either voice or text is being received. The miner removes the tracker from the holster, receives the message, and responds as appropriate with either voice or selected text messages. The message is sent in a store and forward format that requires confirmation that the message was received, assuring the sender that the recipient got the message. The unit can also communicate to other Miner Tracker units being worn by other miners or on equipment.

Some competing systems may have either voice or text, or neither. A few have both voice and text. Some have only an RFID tag for location.

Truly Wireless

The InSeT System uses 900 MHz Mesh Network Access Points (MNAP) to transmit the location data and communications out of the mine to the base station or between miners. The MNAPs are housed in explosion proof domes which also serve as blast shields to protect the relays in the event of an explosion underground. These XP Blast Shields containing the MNAPs can be installed on the roof or ribs of the mine. The location is determined by the signal strength between radios. One MNAP with XP Blast Shield is installed, and then the installer moves down the passage until the signal strength starts to diminish and installs the next MNAP with XP Blast Shield in a convenient location. No precise survey is required. The system does not rely on the spacing and location of the MNAPs for its accuracy.

The mesh network is self-healing. In the event that one or more MNAPs are lost in an underground event, the network will reconfigure itself until a connection is re-established to the surface. The radios in the Miner Tracker units can also serve as elements in the mesh network to re-establish the connection to the surface. The MNAP’s operate on batteries with 120 VAC constantly supplying charging current. If an event causes the current to be shut off, the MNAP continues on the fully charged battery for 48 hours or more, depending on the send-receive-rest duty cycle.

The true wireless system means it is possible to meet the guidelines for tracking and communications at the working face of a mine. The MNAPs can be installed on the equipment or in the working area with only a power cord to keep the battery charged. The guideline of communication no more than 200 feet from a miner is easily met. To provide redundancy, the InSeT System uses not only the self healing properties of the wireless mesh network, but also uses links to the surface from multiple exits out of the mine, air shafts, belt openings, etc. These redundant paths will usually be over fiber optic lines to eliminate the chance of radio interference to the base computer station.

Some competing systems are similar in operation to the InSeT System wireless mesh network. Some use leaky feeder networks with wires or fiber connections between nodes. Some use lower frequency radio networks over existing mine infrastructure such as conduit, rails, etc. Still others use higher frequency radio signals that do not transmit as far and require closer spacing of the relay nodes. Most all rely on more hard-wired connections subject to damage than the true wireless network.

Simplicity

The basic building blocks of an InSeT System are the Miner Tracker unit, the Mesh Network Access Point in an XP Blast Shield, the battery charging station at the mine portal, and the base station computer. The specific configuration of a system is designed for the mine where it will be installed. But the building blocks are the same.

Some competing systems have a variety of different components to complete a system.

Compliance

The InSeT System meets or exceeds all of the requirements (guidelines) of MSHA. The capability of the InSeT System easily meets the accuracy and sets the standard that could likely be the next level of compliance from MSHA. The combination of two-way voice and text also seems likely to be the next standard in emergency communication requirements. The true wireless network will undoubtedly be the standard at some point down the road. The simplicity of the InSeT System means the system can move with the mine as it progresses through the seam.

Operations improvements

The accuracy and real time nature of the location data will greatly reduce the time spent searching for key equipment and supplies. Coupled with the two-way communications capability, it will allow much quicker response by designated personnel to meet critical needs. Mechanics, electricians, supervisors, and other key people can immediately be called to handle vital situations.

Competing systems that lack the accurate real time tracking information and/or the ability to communicate with key people cannot provide these improvements. The operational improvements possible with the InSeT System coupled with the Federal tax credit provided in the MINER Act and extended in the federal stimulus bill earlier this year can pay for the system in one year and generate on-going profit increases in the following years.

"Our goal is to greatly improve the chances that underground miners can go home to their families every day when their work is done."