Using Narrowband Power Line Communication (NB-PLC) in Mining, Drilling and Maritime Applications

In the ever-evolving fields of drilling and mining, including seafloor exploration, technology plays a critical role in ensuring safety, efficiency, and productivity. One of the most transformative tools in these industries is telemetry—the process of collecting and transmitting vital data from remote equipment to central monitoring systems. From tracking drilling parameters and environmental conditions to monitoring the health of equipment, telemetry provides real-time insights that drive smarter decision-making and optimize operations in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

A technology that enhances telemetry capabilities is Narrowband Power Line Communication (NB-PLC). By leveraging existing power lines for data transmission, NB-PLC provides a cost-effective, reliable, and long-range communication solution tailored to the unique demands of mining and exploration. This blog explores the key telemetry systems in drilling and mining applications and how Semitech’s NB-PLC is the right choice for data communication, offering unparalleled efficiency and adaptability for remote and underwater operations.

Telemetry in Drilling and Mining Applications

Telemetry in drilling and mining applications, including seafloor mining and exploration, involves collecting and transmitting data to monitor and optimize operations. The key types of telemetry include:

  • Position and Navigation Data
    • Monitors the location and orientation of drilling or mining equipment using GPS, gyroscopes, and accelerometers.
    • Critical for subsea positioning in seafloor mining.
  • Drilling Parameters
    • Tracks bit rotation speed, torque, weight on bit, and penetration rate to optimize drilling efficiency and reduce wear.
  • Geological and Geophysical Data
    • Collects information on rock properties, such as porosity, density, and resistivity, using logging tools.
    • Seismic and sonar data are used in seafloor mining to map resources.
  • Environmental Monitoring
    • Monitors temperature, pressure, and chemical composition in the borehole or underwater environment.
    • Essential for maintaining safety and detecting changes in conditions.
  • Equipment Health and Status
    • Tracks vibrations, strains, and operational states of machinery to predict failures and schedule maintenance.
    • Used extensively in remote operations like seafloor mining.
  • Fluid and Mud Properties
    • Monitors drilling fluids for flow rate, density, viscosity, and gas content to ensure stability and prevent blowouts.
  • Power and Energy Usage
    • Tracks power consumption and energy efficiency, especially in underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous mining equipment.

This telemetry data is transmitted via wired, wireless, or subsea communication systems, enabling real-time monitoring and control for safe and efficient operations.

A large oil rig is floating in the ocean. The sky is cloudy and the sun is setting

What is Narrowband Power Line Communication (NB-PLC)?

Narrowband Power Line Communication (NB-PLC) refers to data transmission technology that operates over the existing power wires with a separate communication signal transmitted in a limited frequency range, typically between 3 kHz and 500 kHz. NB-PLC provides a modest data rate (<1Mbps) with a stable connection that can support reliable communication across long distances, even in challenging environments with significant interference. By using existing wires NB-PLC does not require dedicated communication infrastructure, thus lowering installation and operational costs.

Why NB-PLC for telemetry in Mining, Drilling and Maritime application?

Integrating NB-PLC into EV chargers offers several key benefits:

  • Cost Efficiency: Because NB-PLC uses the existing power line infrastructure, it eliminates the need for separate communication cabling, reducing installation and maintenance costs.
  • Reliability: NB-PLC’s resilience to noise and interference on power lines makes it ideal for high-reliability applications like telemetry monitoring.
  • Long-Range Capability: NB-PLC can communicate over long distances. In “exploration” applications the connection is typically “dedicated” for delivering power so interference is typically limited, and the communication signal can often be “boosted” to assure any necessary range is achieved.
  • Co-existence: NB-PLC can co-exist with other PLC technologies or wireless technologies in case other applications need to be supported.

Technical Considerations for NB-PLC in Mining and Exploration Applications

In many cases the use of NB-PLC is ideal as the “down-hole,” or “remote equipment” MUST have a power delivered to operate. Using that dedicated powerline for the communication signal assures that “as long as there is power, there is communication.”   That said, the environment may create interference especially if the remote or “drill-head” include motors or other mechanical equipment.  For this reason, the system design should consider the kinds of data that need transmission and design a protocol that “protects” the most critical data using the most reliable communication modes.   Semitech’s technology is designed to be both frequency and bandwidth agile so that an application might at times use Semitech’s proprietary XXR modulation for the most critical data and choose higher bandwidth or standard protocols like G3-PLC when transmitting larger data sets.

Conclusion

NB-PLC allows for reliable, cost-effective communication between any type of electrical or mechanical equipment utilizing existing power lines. Through NB-PLC, mining and remote exploration applications can cost effectively gather telemetry data without an increased burden of equipment complexity and maintenance.

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