An experiment study of the propagation of radio waves in a scaled model of long-wall coal mining tunnels

Abstract

A long-wall coal mining tunnel is the most important

working area in a coal mine. It has long been realized that radio

communications can improve both productivity and safety in this

dangerous area. Hence, many attempts to use radio communications

in such an environment have been made. Unfortunately, no

radio system has satisfactorily provided communication services

there, which, we believe, is partially due to poor understanding

of the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the long-wall

mining tunnel.To have deeper physical insight into the propagation

problem, a scaled model of the long-wall mining tunnel was built,

and the propagation characteristics of UHF radio waves were measured.

The experiment and the measured results are presented and

discussed.