Sensor Data Relay System for Underground Mine Communications

A relay system to transfer pressure sensor data from a rotating drum of a continuous mining machine to a non-rotating nearby station is developed. Data collected from individual sensor-equipped pick cutters are grouped and fed to a CAN-BUS network. Data is transmitted out of this network via a 2.4GHz RF transmitter. A pair of high gain circularly polarized antennas are designed with protective covers to act as transmit and receive endpoints for the RF transmission.