T120614AC

MINECOM LEAKY FEEDER SYSTEM

PBE's Minecom Leaky Feeder System provides a simple and

FEATURES reliable underground communicaon system.

• Compable with Voice and Data

communicaons WHY LEAKY FEEDER?
• Compable with FM based digital and analogue Radio waves travel by line-of-sight, making radio communicaons
radios underground difficult. PBE's Minecom Leaky Feeder solves this
• Local Diagnoscs problem by forming an antenna that is installed throughout the
mine, providing complete radio communicaons coverage. Leaky
• 12 to 96 hour ba8ery backup
Feeder cable is strong and flexible, so there is no problem moving
• Automac Gain Control the network around corners and turns.
• Saddle and clamp connecons

• Minimum IP55/NEMA4X rated enclosure HOW LEAKY FEEDER WORKS

• VHF and UHF PBE's Minecom Leaky Feeder cable is a type of coaxial cable that
‘leaks’ radio signals throughout the mine. Amplifiers are installed
along the Leaky Feeder cable to boost the signal and compensate
for cable loss. Branch units can be used to send lengths of cable
down different pathways.
PBE's Minecom Leaky Feeder System has the ability to scale and
grow with a changing environment in any mine or tunnel. Each
Minecom Leaky Feeder System will be tailored to specific site
requirements to provide the best radio coverage.

COMMUNICATIONS RACK
The Minecom Communicaons Rack is normally located above
ground at the start of a Leaky Feeder System. Its purpose is to
combine base radio signals and apply DC power to the Leaky
Feeder cable.

Opons include: The Communicaons Rack normally contains:

◊ Digital voice recording • Head End Combiner

◊ Microwave / Ethernet site-linking • Up-to 32 digital or 16 analogue radio repeaters

• Power Supply with oponal Ba8ery Backup
◊ Oponal Emergency channel override

◊ RF mul-coupling and antenna combiner

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MINECOM LEAKY FEEDER SYSTEM

BIDIRECTIONAL LINE AMPLIFIER (BDA)
GEN-3
• Local diagnoscs
• Maximum 32 dB gain
• 12, 24 or 48 V DC operaon
GEN-3 Amplifier
• 1 W power consumpon
• Automac Gain Control (AGC) in both direcons Models Frequency Bands
• Adjustable gain control 02-00149 VHF GEN-3 154/172 MHz
• Corrosion resistant nickel coated connecons 02-00156 VHF GEN-3 146/162 MHz
• IP55 rated enclosure 03-00041 UHF GEN-3 485/455 MHz

System Voltage / Spacing GEN-2 # GEN-3 * GEN-4 *

This table shows the number of amplifiers that can be 12 V / 500 m - 3 5

powered per cell / power coupler.
12 V / 350 m - 4 7
The figures are the theorecal maximums and may be
reduced by system issues. 24 V / 500 m 2 6 10

# GEN-2 MSHA system cerficaon liming values 24 V / 350 m 2 7 13

The GEN-4 figures are without any MPCA modules.
48 V / 500 m - 13 19
* with no ba8ery backup
48 V / 350 m - 15 23

GEN-4 (Model BDA-4)

• Local and oponal Remote diagnoscs
• Downlink Auxiliary Band (UHF amplifiers only)
• AutoGain with manual override
• VHF and UHF versions
• IP55/NEMA4X rated enclosure BDA-4 Amplifier
• High Noise Immunity
• Ground loop detecon
Model Frequency Bands
• Three Mul-PlaIorm Communicaons Adapter (MPCA) slots
BDA-4 VHF 154/172 MHz
UHF 408/433 MHz
See relevant Technical Datasheets for details (eg. T120318A Model BDA-4) UHF 485/455 MHz
at www.pyo8boone.com or contact your local dealer.
 T120614AC
T120318A
T120614AA

MINECOM LEAKY FEEDER SYSTEM

LEAKY FEEDER DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT

Leaky Feeder Cable Leaky Feeder Cable is the antenna of the system and
20-00041 (350m blue) distributes DC power and RF signals.
20-00007 (350m yellow)
20-00008 (500m yellow)

Single Branch Unit Single Branch Units are used to split an addional path in
02-00030 the Leaky Feeder cable.

Dual Branch Unit Dual Branch Units are used to split two addional paths
02-00029 in the Leaky Feeder cable.

Power Coupler Power Couplers are used to inject DC power from a

41-00011 Power Staon into the Leaky Feeder cable.

Power Staon Power Staons connect to Power Couplers to provide

02-00052 (12 V) ba8ery backed-up DC power to the Leaky Feeder system.
02-00067 (24 V)
02-00093 (48 V)

Joiner Box Joiner Box joins Leaky Feeder cable.

02-00039

Terminaon Box Terminaon Box is used to terminate the ends of the

02-00048 Leaky Feeder cable.

Antenna Coupler Antenna Coupler terminates Leaky Feeder cable and

03-00086 (PL-259/UHF connector) provides an antenna connecon to extend radio
03-00087 (N-Type connector) coverage in difficult areas.
 T120614AC

MINECOM LEAKY FEEDER SYSTEM

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
PBE's Minecom cable connecon and terminaon methods have been adopted specifically for mine and tunnel construcon
use, allowing for easy assembly underground, without the need for special tools or skills. Always refer to the Minecom Leaky
Feeder Manual for cable preparaon methods and System Design Guide for device spacing.

SPECIFICATIONS
Operang Voltage: 12, 24 and 48 Volts DC

Operang Temperature: -20°C to 55°C

Downlink Frequency: VHF: 151 – 157.5 MHz
UHF: 480 – 490 MHz

Uplink Frequency: VHF: 170 – 174.5 MHz

UHF: 450 – 460 MHz

Bandwidth: VHF: 4.5 MHz Uplink, 6.5 MHz Downlink

UHF: 10 MHz Uplink, 10 MHz Downlink

System Impedance: 75 ohms

Maximum Gain: VHF: 28 dB; UHF: 34 dB

Enclosures: Minimum IP55/NEMA4X rated (excluding Head End Combiner)

Head End Combiner Transmit / Receive Channels: 8 / 8 (expandable to 16/16 analogue or 32/32 digital)
 T120614AC

MINECOM LEAKY FEEDER SYSTEM

OVERVIEW
This diagram shows an example of mine layout using Minecom 350m UHF Leaky Feeder system.

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