Remote controlled short-cycle loading of bulk material in mining applications

High-capacity wireless IP networks with limited delays are nowadays being deployed in both underground and open-pit mines. This allows for advanced remote control of mining machinery with improved feedback to operators and extensive monitoring of machine status, wear and fatigue. Wireless connectivity varies however depending on channel impairments caused by obstacles, multi-path fading and other radio issues. Therefore remote control and monitoring should be capable of adapting their sending rates to handle variations in communications quality. This paper presents key challenges in advanced remote control and monitoring of working machines via high-capacity wireless IP networks in mining environments. We reason about these challenges in context of underground short-cycle load, haul and dump operation with large-volume built wheel-loaders and present a generic communication solution for an operator assistance concept capable of adapting to varying communication properties.