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Components

METS TAG

Overview

METS Tracking Tag is designed to fulfill MSHA PPL tracking requirements on the sections and in the escapeways. The T1000 Tag transmits a unique identifying signal to readers located throughout the mine.

Advantages

  • MSHA & US FCC Approved.
  • Innovative attachment methods including Equipment and Temporary Tags.
  • Compatible with any METS 1.0 or 2.1 system.
  • Rugged high strength polycarbonate enclosure specifically designed for daily use in harsh mine environments.
  • Small dimensions and low weight integrates easily into the miner normal routine and activities.
  • Asset mount version to track Mobile equipment and machinery.
  • Over 15,000 in production use.

METS Wireless Node

Overview

METS Wireless Nodes are designed to fulfill MSHA tracking and communications requirements on the section. Wireless, battery-powered nodes inby the feeder relay tracking tag, text messaging, AMS, and other data to/from METS wired nodes outby the feeder to provide simple, easy-to-advance, tracking and communications.

Advantages

  • MSHA Approved, Intrinsically Safe Design
  • Inexpensive, Lightweight, Compact & Portable
  • Easily Interchangeable Battery Packs
  • Truly Wireless Unit (No outside connections)
  • No new infrastructure needed
  • LCD Screen w/ text and Flashing LED Lights in Emergency Mode
  • Receives transmissions from AMS, Text Pager and Tracking Tags
  • Easily configured and moved on Matrix tracking map display

METS Low Profile Reader

Overview

METS Low-Profile Readers have been developed in order to minimize clearance issues with mobile machinery in low-seam mines and on working sections. In these situations maximizing clearance is crucial; therefore, Matrix is providing a reader that only extends two (2) inches of the roof in cable-powered configuration or four (4) inches of the roof in battery-powered configuration.

Advantages

  • MSHA Approved Intrinsically Safe Design
  • LCD Screen w/ text and Flashing LED Lights in Emergency Mode
  • Easily configured and moved on Matrix tracking map display
  • Inexpensive, Lightweight, Compact & Easily Installed
  • Multiple antenna ports allow redundancy and coverage of multiple areas.
  • Six (6) raised shielding guards protect the reader’s external antenna from direct impact

METS 1-Port Reader

Overview

Matrix has developed the reduced-cost, single port antenna for the purpose of covering areas like the return, belt and strategic areas, where the redundancy of a multiple port reader is not required. The 1-Port Readers performs the same functions as a standard R2100 reader in that it receives tracking tag, text messaging and AMS data and relays this information to the server.

Advantages

  • MSHA Approved Intrinsically Safe Design
  • Inexpensive, Lightweight, Compact & Easily Installed
  • LCD Screen w/ text and Flashing LED Lights in Emergency Mode
  • Easily configured and moved on Matrix tracking map display
  • Approved for use in returns without the need for a barrier
  • Line-of-sight not required due to cabled communications

 

Reader R1000 - For METS 1.0

Overview

Receives transmission from Tags and relays information to Server.

Advantages

  • 10/100 Standard Ethernet interface
  • Fused power injector that provides both power and Ethernet connection over standard Cat5e cable
  • Supports hundreds of tags in one location
  • Small size and weight for easy installation and relocating as the mine environment changes
  • Simple configuration using a serial cable or telnet, and remotely upgradable
  • High visibility status indicators
  • Four independent channels which allow a single reader to cover multiple entries and direction of travel

Remote Antenna Kit

Allows for antenna placement in Return and Gassy areas.

Antenna Barrier

MSHA Approval allows additional antennas to be mounted up to 225 feet away from primary reader locations

 

METS R-2100 Reader - For METS 2.1

Overview

Matrix’s R-2100 is powered and communicates with the Hub over inexpensive METS coaxial cable. The R-2100 receives wireless transmissions from Tags and AMS sensors and communicates wirelessly with the METS Text Pagers.

Advantages

  • Connected with MSHA Approved IS Coaxial Cable.
  • Multiple antenna ports allow redundancy and coverage of multiple areas.
  • Power and data are supplied over the same coaxial cable.
  • LCD Screen w/ text and Flashing LED Lights in Emergency Mode
  • Easily configured and moved on Matrix tracking map display
  • Underground cabling configured in a mesh topology for redundancy and maximum survivability.

Matrix AMS Alarm

Overview

The Matrix AMS Alarm can be configured for wireless use as a section alarm or wired use over Ethernet as a surface alarm.

Advantages

  • Audible and Visual Alarms
  • Local 'Silence' button
  • Easily Moved

 

WAMS Software

WAMS software is written and updated by Matrix designers to be easy to operate and to simplify the maintenance and labor needed for AMS compliance. The software keeps track of the location and battery life of WAMS sensors and notifies operators when maintenance is needed. The graphical user interface (GUI) is intuitive and allows belts and other graphical elements to be easily drawn and edited.

Advantages

  • AMS software automatically recognizes installation of calibrated sensors, notifies operator when calibration is needed, and updates Calibration Logs
  • Automatic Alarm Logging & Reporting
  • Simple sensor interface with details screen including graphical signal strength indicator
  • ‘Calibration Due Soon’ reporting on sensors
  • Section Alarm confi­guration tool allows specific sensors to be easily applied to a section alarm 
  • Pop-up ‘tool-tip’s provide guidance and information about on-screen items
  • All map changes are backed up, providing capability to roll back any modi­fications
  • Ambient offset support available if approved in ventilation plan (for winter slope heaters)

 

WAMS S1000 Wireless CO Sensor

Overview

Designed for use in coal mines, the Matrix S1000 CO sensor was designed to provide pre and post-accident CO sensing and uses an advanced, rugged, mine-duty design to minimize accidental damage, maintenance calibration labor, and radio interference. Each S1000 CO sensor includes the Sensor Unit (Gas Detection) and a Base Unit with a unique identi fier. The sensor and base fit together in a compact package and when installed, the Base Unit is assigned a location in the Matrix AMS software. From that point forward, a newly calibrated Sensor Unit can be attached to the base unit every thirty days without the need for a system update. This allows multiple Sensor Units to be calibrated in a central location, lowering the time needed to maintain the overall CO system. When installed, the Sensor Units automatically update the system software and the calibration logs.

Advantages

  • Designed for use in coal mines; rugged, wireless, battery-powered sensor is easy to move at unit tailpiece when belt is added
  • IS design allows ease of installation in return and last open as needed; no expensive barriers needed.
  • State of the art electronics and new sensor technology reduce power consumption and interference from handheld radios
  • Calibration is simple, no complicated instructions need be taped to a miner’s hat
  • More stable than others in areas with ambient CO.  This is especially useful in winters when using heaters in a slope. Ambient offset is available in Matrix WAMS software if approved in ventilation plan
  • No communications fuses to blow, reducing downtime and maintenance expenses and allowing easy placement and advancement with section 
  • MSHA IS Approval No. 18-A090002-0

 

A1000 Wired CO Sensor


Designed for use in mines with an existing 4-20mA signaling network, the Matrix S1000 CO sensor uses an advanced, rugged, mine-duty design to minimize accidental damage, maintenance calibration labor, and radio interference. The A1000 CO sensor uses standard two wire, 4-20mA signaling and its terminals are non-polarized so it cannot be hooked up backwards; it works no matter how it’s wired.

Advantages

  • Designed for use in coal mines; rugged, mine-duty design
  • Calibration is simple, no complicated instructions need be taped to a miner’s hat
  • More stable than others in areas with ambient CO.  This is especially useful in winters when using heaters in a slope. Ambient offset is available in Matrix WAMS software if approved in ventilation plan.

Server

Overview

Receives Tag information from Hub and stores data for workstations.

Advantages

  • Redundant power supplies, disks, fans, and Ethernet ports.
  • Microsoft (MS) operating system with MS SQL database.
  • Remote administration card.

Hub

Overview

Supplies IS power and data from surface to underground nodes over inexpensive coaxial cabling.

Advantages

  • Connected to a server via fiber or Category 5e/6 copper cable
  • Simple configuration using a serial cable or telnet.
  • Remotely upgradable without the need to physically visit each Hub.

Staging Monitor

Overview

Used to display miners in staging area and verify tag operation.

Advantages

  • Option to display equipment locations.
  • Red Low Battery Indication.

SA1000 Wireless Section Alarm


Designed for simple advancement, the SA1000 wireless section alarm includes a high-quality audible horn, bright visual strobe, and ‘silence’ button. Activation and remote silencing is accomplished via the METS 2.1 post-accident infrastructure.  The unit’s wireless alarm relay (AR1000) can be purchased separately.


WA1000 Surface Alarm


The WA1000 surface alarm includes a high-quality audible horn, bright visual strobe, and ‘silence’ button.  Activation and remote silencing is accomplished via Ethernet network connectivity.

 

 
Infrastructure

Systems using the S1000 wireless sensor use the METS 2.1 post-accident, redundant infrastructure to receive data from the CO sensors and activate the SA1000 wireless section alarm unit. Systems using the A1000 sensor use a 4-20mA signaling network, typically pre-installed in a mine.

 

 
OPC Software


Should an operator wish to use Matrix CO sensors with an existing HMI such as RS View or Wonderware, Matrix can provide an OPC gateway (METS-OPCSW) to allow data transfer of CO sensor information from the METS database.