Transmitting Radio Signals Through The Earth
Following the terrorist bombs in London, UK last year - there was much media comment about the lack of communications in the underground train network. With that in mind, it is interesting that Vital Alert Technologies has signed agreements with the USA's Los Alamos National Laboratory to develop radio services which can penetrate the ground and reach underground workers where conventional radio networks are not available.
The Underground Radio product, originally developed by Los Alamos for the Department of Energy, is being commercialized by Vital Alert Technologies for use by emergency rescue crews in urban centers and by the mining industry.
"The new technology is a breakthrough in digital and wireless communications," said Joe Miller, president and CEO of Vital Alert. "As a pre- and post- emergency warning, evacuation, and rescue communication system, it solves RF [radio frequency] radio failure problems and eliminates systems downtime complications in difficult environments such as subways, tunnels, skyscrapers, and mines. The new technology will also greatly enhance the ability of mining companies to protect their workers."
Underground Radio is a "through-the-earth" communications mechanism which uses very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic radiation and digital audio compression technology to carry voice and text data. The VLF signals also can transmit tracking and location data for radio users in the case that they are unable to respond.
"This is a technical solution to the problem of voice communication in underground areas. It is also inexpensive to build," said David Reagor, the principal investigator of the Los Alamos team who originally developed the technology."
Posted to the site on 7th August 2006