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| Modular has pioneered the development of GPS for
mines since the early 1990's. Today, our proven GPS solutions for mobile equipment
tracking, shovel and drill positioning, and more are used by a growing number of mines
worldwide |
But as the demand for GPS increases, so do the myths
and misconceptions surrounding the technology. This can make it difficult for you to
decide which GPS solutions are right for you. To help clear the air on
GPS in mining, let's take a look at some common myths about GPS in mines, and the facts! |
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Myth
The GPS satellites could be permanently shut down at any time, leaving mines with
obsolete GPS systems.
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Fact
GPS is funded and controlled by the United States Department of Defense, which has a
commitment to keep GPS operational for both military and civil use. (See
related text.)
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Myth
GPS has costly subscription fees.
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Fact
GPS is paid for and supported by U.S. tax dollars, so there are no subscription fees.
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Myth
Dependable GPS systems for mines are years away.
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Fact
Robust GPS systems are now available that provide up to two-meter accuracy for mobile
equipment tracking, and sub-meter accuracy for shovel and drill positioning.
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Myth
High-precision GPS systems require a high-band width radio channel.
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Fact
High-precision GPS systems can support a virtually unlimited number of trucks, shovels,
drills, dozers, etc., minewide, on a 9600 bits per second radio channel.
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Myth
GPS isn't practical for deep pit mines.
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Fact
Many deep pit mines, where the view to the horizon is partially blocked, have adequate
coverage when GPS is augmented with the Russian GLObal NAvigation Satellite System
(GLONASS). GLONASS, which is similar in scope to GPS, provides up to 24 additional
satellites when fully deployed.
Only Modular offers a choice of GPS or GPS plus GLONASS high-precision systems.
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Myth
GLONASS is unreliable.
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Fact
The Russian government has gone on record with a long-term commitment to support
GLONASS.
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Myth
High-precision GPS systems can only cover between five to ten pieces of field
equipment.
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Fact
Other vendors currently require high-bandwidth radio channels and are limited in the
number of shovels or drills they can cover based on those bandwidths. Only Modular
provides minewide fleet coverage of trucks, shovels, and drills, in real time, with
high-precision sensors--and at 9600 bits per second! That's because for over 18 years our
core business has focused on minewide, radio- based communications coupled with real-time
mine management and control systems.
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Myth
Collecting GPS data is difficult and time-consuming.
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Fact
Many vendors require you to physically collect GPS data from equipment in the field,
using floppy disks or flash cards, or by downloading information into portable computers.
Modular's GPS systems automatically send essential information, in real time, across our
proven data radio link to PCs minewide.
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Myth
The Year 2000 Problem (Y2k) and End of Week rollover (EOW) will be highly disruptive to
GPS.
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Fact
Y2K, which prevents some computers from distinguishing between years in the 1900's and
years in the 2000's (because they only store the last two digits for the year date) does
not affect the GPS satellites. The military's ground-based GPS control stations, which Y2K
certification, are currently undergoing an active campaign by the GPS Joint Program Office
to make their software Y2K compliant before the end of 1999.
GPS satellite time is based on counting weeks from 0 to 1023 and then rolling over and
starting at 0 again. GPS began counting weeks on January 6, 1980 and will
"rollover" at midnight UTC August 21, 1999, and approximately every 20 years
thereafter. GPS receiver manufacturers are aware of this design aspect of GPS and have
taken steps to make their products "EOW proof."
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| As evidence of U.S. support for GPS, Vice President
Al Gore recently announced plans to add two new civil GPS signals. "The additional
civilian signals will significantly improve navigation, positioning, and timing services
to millions of users worldwide -- from backpackers and boaters to farmers and fishermen,
from airline pilots to telecommunications providers, and from scientists to
surveyors," Vice President Gore said. "GPS has become an engine of economic
growth and efficiency as businesses and consumers are continually developing new and
creative applications of the system. We will continue to do everything we can to protect
these GPS signals and promote GPS applications for commercial, public safety, and national
security purposes." And according to Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen,
"This decision by the Interagency GPS Executive Board (IGEB) reinforces the
continuing U.S. commitment to provide the most capable, efficient and reliable system for
use by all the world's nations well into the 21st century." |
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