WRAP, an acronym for wireless router access point, has many distinct features that facilitate underground communications, Becker managing director Tony Napier said.

“The WRAP200 is not only a wi-fi access point, but it is also an IS fibre optic switch with dual IS active tag readers on board,” he said.

“This gives underground operations high speed wireless gateways/hotspots for wi-fi enabled devices such as mobile machinery and PDA’s, while also providing a personnel, asset and vehicle tagging and tracking read point compatible with Becker Mining System’s new electromagnetic collision avoidance tags.”

The WRAP200 integrates three 802.11a/b/g wi-fi access points to maximise signal throughput and also to support mesh configurations.

The WRAP200 also contains three fibre ports to allow connection to a mine fibre optic network.

A managed layer 3 switch is included in the WRAP which supports rapid spanning tree protocols with which a mine can set up an IS fibre optic ring.

The WRAP can optionally be fitted with tag readers to detect the Becker range of RFID tags which are also compatible with the Becker collision avoidance system, has RS485 connectivity to support serial devices and can be remotely monitored and managed.

The WRAP is the key element in the Becker IS wi-fi network that provides support for voice over internet protocol technologies, high speed data and ethernet connectivity, streaming video and machine monitoring connectivity.

A mine can install one of the Becker Systems to address an issue and implement its other technologies as the need arises, due to the high level of integration built into the solutions.

Becker’s IS two-way radio can now be used in Queensland after successful review of the IECex Certification was completed in the past week.

“The Becker IS radios are already proving very popular in NSW, where four of the state’s largest mines have been using the devices for the past 12 months,” said Napier.

“In conjunction with the Becker IS Leaky Feeder system, the units have proven to reduce time intensive operations such as longwall moves while being invaluable in emergency evacuation activities.”