ETRI Breaks Through Complex Underground World with Wireless Communication
Published2023.09.01 11:07Effectiveness of underground infrastructure safety management, verification of survival in the event of an accident
Technology enabling wireless communication even in complex underground environments such as mines has been developed, raising expectations that it can be used for various purposes, such as verifying the survival of victims in emergency situations like mine collapses.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 31st that it has succeeded for the first time in the world in developing a 'magnetic field underground communication source technology' capable of transmitting and receiving voice signals at a distance of 40 meters underground in a mine using a transmitting antenna with a diameter of 1 meter and a receiving antenna of several centimeters.
It is known that wireless communication is impossible in mines due to signal attenuation caused by complex underground environments.
ETRI developed a new communication system by utilizing the unique boundary condition characteristics of magnetic fields for a medium.
It amounts to successfully transmitting voice data in a mine where stable communication is impossible.
The magnetic field underground communication system developed by the research team has miniaturized the existing overseas research team's transmitting antenna, which was tens of meters in size, into a 1-meter antenna.
In addition, it is characterized by being composed of a centimeter-class magnetic induction-based small receiving sensor.
ETRI researchers discussing a magnetic field-based underground wireless communication receiving system for mines.
The research team [developed] transmitting and receiving antennas that function like a telecommunications access point (AP) to serve as a base connecting the surface and underground.He explained that he plays the role of a state.
Therefore, if above-ground transmitters and underground receivers are installed in the future, it is expected that those being rescued will be able to communicate by connecting their personal mobile phones to the transmitting and receiving antennas.
The communication test conducted by the research team took place at a distance of 40 meters inside a mine composed of limestone bedrock.
The research team explained that they transmitted 4kbps-level data, which is the voice signal transmission level, using a 20kHz band carrier.
In particular, underground mines have a dark, maze-like structure and are as complex as an ant colony.
It is also divided into several layers, and the research team demonstrated direct data transmission of 40 meters between layers.
The successful demonstration of magnetic field communication could bring significant changes to the underground mining industry in the future.
In particular, this technology is expected to provide a reliable means of communication in emergencies where communication is impossible, such as fires or disasters in underground utilities like mines and underground utility tunnels.
ETRI explained that the magnetic field communication system enables the maintenance of connectivity between miners and rescue teams in the event of an accident, allowing for the smooth coordination of rescue operations.
In addition, it is anticipated that response times with accident victims will be reduced and safety measures will be strengthened.
The research team also stated that in addition to this underground communication, they succeeded in underwater communication at a depth of 40 meters in freshwater areas such as streams and rivers last year.
ETRI stated that this core technology could be implemented thanks to the original wireless power transmission technology obtained through over 10 years of research and development.
In addition, patent applications have been completed for key patents, including transceivers, related antennas, modems, bandwidth-extended transmission technology, and small magnetic field sensors.
ETRI Radio Wave Source Research Lab Director Jo In-gui said, “"A successful communication test was conducted using the Gijang communication system at a point between the first and second underground levels of a mine, where communication with civilian walkie-talkies is impossible. This will significantly reduce the possibility of communication network disruptions caused by underground mine collapses," he explained.
Park Seung-geun, Head of the Radio Wave Research Division at ETRI, also stated, “Beyond the mining industry, magnetic field communication has a wide-ranging impact on various fields. It is expected to be utilized as an innovative technology and a reliable means of communication in complex and unpredictable environments, such as underground construction, tunneling, and marine excavation.”
This research achievement is the result of the '10pT-class micro-magnetic field-based medium-to-long distance magnetic field communication technology' project, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT's ETRI R&D support program.
Development tests were conducted in cooperation with Admotec Co., Ltd., Doit Co., Ltd., and others.
The research team has secured 10 SCI papers and 12 international patent applications related to this technology, and will present a paper at the '20th IEEE SECON,' a leading international academic conference in the field of communications.
The Radio Research Division at ETRI is focusing on developing technologies to overcome the limitations of radio media in extreme communication environments, such as underground and underwater.
We plan to focus on developing long-range and miniaturized systems of 100m or more through industry cooperation and additional research to apply to industrial environments with demanding requirements in the future.
The research team anticipates that this technology will enable effective communication responses to disasters in underground utility tunnels, such as those involving underground gas pipes, oil pipelines, and buried structures.
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