How is spectrum being used for machine to machine industrial communications? What are the benefits? What is the future? Alan Seery Supply chain 15 mines in the Pilbara Four independent shipping terminals Largest privately owned freight railway in Australia spanning 1600 kilometres Pilbara Map Communications in Mining Changing mobile communication needs: Mobile fleet data is increasingly reliant on wireless connectivity Communications in mining The Rio Tinto LTE network has been developed to support business, safety and production critical systems through a single converged network. Safety and Production Critical Systems: • In-Pit CCTV monitoring • Dewatering telemetry • Deformation Monitoring • Prism Monitoring • Slope Radar • High precision GPS • Intelligent Earthmoving In-Pit Wall Monitoring Systems Communications in mining Changing mobile communication needs: Industry wide drive towards use of autonomous mining platforms Autonomous drilling system (ADS) Autonomous haulage system (AHS) Communications in mining Pilbara mines, rail and ports operated from a single location in Perth (Operations Centre) Incorporates visualisation and collaboration tools to provide real-time information across our demand chain. Operations Centre - Perth Why LTE? Key Benefits Improved reliability and resiliency for production and safety critical services  The LTE network operates on a licenced frequency – no interference  Complete wireless coverage of all operational areas Ability to prioritise traffic (QOS)  Safety and production critical traffic given priority over corporate traffic Consolidated network platform to support all in-pit systems concurrently  The network can support all current in-pit systems concurrently which are typically supported by multiple wireless networks/technologies Reduced infrastructure requirement • 4 LTE communications trailers compared to 30+ WIFI communications trailers • All LTE infrastructure located outside of blast zones – no need to move trailers. Radio Base Station – a new approach The business case - with LTE we can consolidate infrastructure Mobile infrastructure delivering LTE • Rapidly deployable transportable communications infrastructure • Provides sharing, co-location and standardisation of network assets, The ever changing topology presents communications challenges Additional benefits of LTE • Provides access to business applications from tablets or tough books anywhere within the operational areas of the mine • The system provides the capability to support both current and future business demands for operational needs in relation to M2M connectivity, voice, video and data Additional benefits of LTE Roll out of unified communications (voice/video mobile services) solutions in pit.  Voice over LTE  Video over LTE (live video streaming) For the future  Push to talk (two-way radio) over LTE  Location based services, personnel and asset tracking etc. Design and implementation considerations • Spectrum allocation – Working with the regulator – Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) • Availability & development of end-to-end ecosystem… • Creating opportunities for industry Rio Tinto SIM Cards Design and implementation considerations • Geographic constraints & Remoteness limitations • Drive testing was completed across all operational areas of the mine • Adequate capacity to support all HME, autonomous drills, light vehicles, and future voice and video on a single common wireless network. Coverage area – drive testing results Shading indicates drive test route. Areas in red indicate high data throughput (above 10Mb/s) 17 Challenges to industry Location Based Services • Personnel Tracking • In-Pit Proximity Detection • Collision Detection – Safety • Asset tracking and management – Efficiencies PTT over LTE (form factor and battery life are key components to the solution) Project achievements First in the resources sector, first private LTE network in Australia • The network provides wireless 4G coverage to all operational areas of West Angelas • High throughput rates in both uplink and downlink directions • Support model established with a Network Operations Centre providing 24x7 support • The LTE network is operational and has been supporting mining operations since August 2013 “Making connection in the middle of nowhere” “I'm in a very big hole in the middle of nowhere and there's better mobile internet than in my Parliament House office. Welcome to the Pilbara.” By Australian Associated Press (Katrina Curtis) Published: 08:30 AEST, 10 July 2014 2014 National iAwards Winner Resources Category Rio Tinto for Wireless 4G LTE Network In Summary: The network enables M2M, Mobility and analytics opportunities Thankyou © 2014 Rio Tinto. All rights reserved.