Government Technology

    Digital Communities
    Industry Members

  • Click sponsor logos for whitepapers, case studies, and best practices.
  • McAfee
  • Net App
  • NIC
  • Perceptive Software

Active RFID Wi-Fi Tags for Mine Safety



June 22, 2007 By

Active Control Technology Inc. is seeking US federal regulatory certification of the second core component of ActiveMine, a two-way voice communications and locating system for mines with a 100% wireless (Wi-Fi) network, the company announced today.

ACT yesterday filed documents with the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for certification of its active RFID Wi-Fi tags, a component of ActiveMine that enables accurate, real-time people and asset tracking.

An application in April for MSHA approval of the system's wireless mesh node modules and battery back-up, which form the backbone of the ActiveMine wireless network, is under review by the agency.

Active Control expects to apply for MSHA approval of ActiveMine's Wi-Fi voice and data communications handsets, plus various ancillary components, within the next four weeks.

"As we near completion of the MSHA filing process, we are well-positioned to help US underground coal mines meet state and federal safety rules fully and on-time," said Steve Barrett, President and CEO, ACT.

MSHA, the federal agency responsible for the health and safety of US miners, is fast-tracking its review of applications for certification of mine safety and communications systems. The agency's mandate includes evaluation and certification of these systems as "intrinsically safe" for areas of underground coal mines where methane gas may be present.

The active RFID tags, which can be carried by people or attached to high-value mobile mining assets, can be tracked continuously within a Wi-Fi coverage area. The technology operates over any standard 802.11 wireless network. In contrast with other tracking systems that require a separate network of hardware readers or gates to determine the location of tags, ActiveMine's RFID tags require no additional network hardware overlay.



| More

Comments


Add Your Comment

You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. We reserve the right to remove comments that are considered profane, vulgar, obscene, factually inaccurate, off-topic, or considered a personal attack.

In Our Library

White Papers | Exclusives Reports | Webinar Archives | Best Practices and Case Studies
WHITEPAPER: D Block Spectrum Act and the FirstNet Broadband Network. What does it all mean?
On Feb 22, 2012, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 was enacted into law. This law will ensure the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network in every state and territory in the U.S. Learn about the new law and what you can do to prepare for it now.
New Research Reveals Surprising Trend for Funding Innovation
Listen to an informative discussion with Digital Communities members to learn how you can use your IT savings and efficiencies to do the new things you have been waiting to do.
Continuity with Cloud Solutions
Cloud solutions provide agility, flexibility and scalability to government agencies. In an emergency situation where an agency’s infrastructure and resources are impacted, prioritization and restoration become critical elements of a disaster recovery plan. The flexibility of cloud services helps agencies make adjustments to processing capacity on demand.
View All

Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces

427 Members

77 Discussions

84 Files

Latest members Become a member

Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces

669 Members

145 Discussions

150 Files

Latest members Become a member

 


Featured White Papers & Reports

The Future of the Desktop in Government

Until recently, there was no alternative to the familiar desktop computer, and its expensive upgrades and maintenance requirements. For cash-strapped local governments, the desktop computer is quickly becoming an unsustainable option for future progress. Now, a technology known as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) offers an alternative. It can be significantly more affordable than buying individual computers for every employee, and it provides similar capability. This paper shows how VDI is the future of the desktop and is a game-changer for local governments.


View Full Library

Events

GTC East

Don't miss this opportunity to see the latest in digital government solutions, keep abreast of current policy issues and network with key government executives, technologists and industry specialists.

View All Events