567
applications such as remote operation of mining machinery), LTE seems to have better
means to fulfil these requirements.
3.2 The expected benefits of LTE
Although LTE is a relatively new communications technology for the mining industry, a
number of technical aspects and late improvements have turned it into a very interesting and
promising option for the digitalized mining operation. The main aspects and benefits are:
• LTE is an IP/Data-centric network solution
• Possibility to tailored private core network (EPC) deployments
• SDN (Software-Defined Networks) allowing for virtualization of core network functions
that can be run on generic hardware
• Better traffic control through scheduling and QoS mechanisms
• Better coverage and interference control
• Better security mechanisms
• Multiple services can reliably share the same infrastructure
• Possibility to accommodate low-power/low-throughput devices in standard LTE bands (for ex
LTE-CAT-M1 and NB1), laying out the platform for the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)
where all kinds of sensors can potentially be wirelessly connected to the same network.
There are though a number of potential “cons” when choosing a mobile broadband
technology as the main wireless communications solution. As stated, LTE is a relatively
new technology and there is so much we still do not know. Tele-operators, equipment
manufacturers, system integrators, IT departments, machinery manufacturers and mining
operations staff will all have to come together to make the implementation and operation
of the network successfully. Technical support and the right competences in place are
mandatory pre-requirement in order to obtain the full benefits. Probably a totally different
business model is needed, tailored for mining customers only?
Many of these aspects are being evaluated right now through two main collaboration
projects where Epiroc (aka Atlas Copco) has been actively involved, PIMM DMA (https://
www.simsmining.eu/) and SIMS (https://www.simsmining.eu/).
4 WHERE DOES EPIROC FIT IN ALL THIS?
Epiroc as OEM, supplying heavy machinery but also automation and telematics solutions
will inevitably have a role to play in this new scenario.
The machines will need to be equipped with an UE device that withstands the harsh
environment as well as have the correct electrical characteristics to be onboard of a machine.
Also the UE needs to fulfil the performance requirements of the application, depending if it
is for simple data collection and file transfer (Certiq, RRA) or if it is for time-critical applications (tele-remote).
Figure 4 illustrates the typical integration points between Epiroc’s solutions and the LTE
network. This is a possible scenario but not the only scenario.
The OP-Station (tele-remote control station), usually physically located in a control room
will be connected to the mine site’s OTN or Operation Technology Network (usually physically and logically separated from the corporate business network). Servers like the RRA
(Rig Remote Access) server and the LBO (Local Backoffice) will most likely be connected to
the OTN as well.
In turn, the OTN connects to the EPC through the P-GW. The EPC can be a local deployment (so-called a private core) or it can be supplied as a remote deployment, where the EPC
service is provided by a telecom operator or a system integrator. The drawback with the latter
is that the system will most likely rely on a WAN connection for the RAN (E-UTRAN) in
order to reach the EPC which may increase latency and impose capacity and reliability issues.
The possibility to run the EPC as a private core deployment is certainly one of the main
aspects that’s made possible for mine sites to deploy LTE. This because WAN connectivity
applications such as remote operation of mining machinery), LTE seems to have better
means to fulfil these requirements.
3.2 The expected benefits of LTE
Although LTE is a relatively new communications technology for the mining industry, a
number of technical aspects and late improvements have turned it into a very interesting and
promising option for the digitalized mining operation. The main aspects and benefits are:
• LTE is an IP/Data-centric network solution
• Possibility to tailored private core network (EPC) deployments
• SDN (Software-Defined Networks) allowing for virtualization of core network functions
that can be run on generic hardware
• Better traffic control through scheduling and QoS mechanisms
• Better coverage and interference control
• Better security mechanisms
• Multiple services can reliably share the same infrastructure
• Possibility to accommodate low-power/low-throughput devices in standard LTE bands (for ex
LTE-CAT-M1 and NB1), laying out the platform for the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)
where all kinds of sensors can potentially be wirelessly connected to the same network.
There are though a number of potential “cons” when choosing a mobile broadband
technology as the main wireless communications solution. As stated, LTE is a relatively
new technology and there is so much we still do not know. Tele-operators, equipment
manufacturers, system integrators, IT departments, machinery manufacturers and mining
operations staff will all have to come together to make the implementation and operation
of the network successfully. Technical support and the right competences in place are
mandatory pre-requirement in order to obtain the full benefits. Probably a totally different
business model is needed, tailored for mining customers only?
Many of these aspects are being evaluated right now through two main collaboration
projects where Epiroc (aka Atlas Copco) has been actively involved, PIMM DMA (https://
www.simsmining.eu/) and SIMS (https://www.simsmining.eu/).
4 WHERE DOES EPIROC FIT IN ALL THIS?
Epiroc as OEM, supplying heavy machinery but also automation and telematics solutions
will inevitably have a role to play in this new scenario.
The machines will need to be equipped with an UE device that withstands the harsh
environment as well as have the correct electrical characteristics to be onboard of a machine.
Also the UE needs to fulfil the performance requirements of the application, depending if it
is for simple data collection and file transfer (Certiq, RRA) or if it is for time-critical applications (tele-remote).
Figure 4 illustrates the typical integration points between Epiroc’s solutions and the LTE
network. This is a possible scenario but not the only scenario.
The OP-Station (tele-remote control station), usually physically located in a control room
will be connected to the mine site’s OTN or Operation Technology Network (usually physically and logically separated from the corporate business network). Servers like the RRA
(Rig Remote Access) server and the LBO (Local Backoffice) will most likely be connected to
the OTN as well.
In turn, the OTN connects to the EPC through the P-GW. The EPC can be a local deployment (so-called a private core) or it can be supplied as a remote deployment, where the EPC
service is provided by a telecom operator or a system integrator. The drawback with the latter
is that the system will most likely rely on a WAN connection for the RAN (E-UTRAN) in
order to reach the EPC which may increase latency and impose capacity and reliability issues.
The possibility to run the EPC as a private core deployment is certainly one of the main
aspects that’s made possible for mine sites to deploy LTE. This because WAN connectivity