Tag Archives: Andrea Bartoli

Trimble and Worldsensing unveil new solution for long-term 3D ground and structural monitoring movement

Environmental, IoT, Mining safety, Mining services, , , ,

TrimbleⓇ and Worldsensing have announced the introduction of a solution for long term 3D ground and structural movement monitoring that will combine Trimble 4D Control™ (T4D) monitoring software with the new Trimble GNSS Meter, powered by Worldsensing.

Designed for industries such as mining, this solution helps minimise the risks associated with land and structure instability by enabling faster and more cost-effective deployment for a greater range of project types. The announcement was made on the eve of INTERGEO in Stuttgart, Germany and MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas.

The new monitoring solution will connect a GNSS Meter, powered by Worldsensing, with Trimble T4D monitoring software to automatically transform data into actionable insights, the companies say. The GNSS Meter is a sensor featuring real-time kinematic (RTK) technology and the ability to process data directly on the device, providing precise and automated measurement of 3D surface movements once placed on site. The sensors then transmit movement data to T4D for real-time analysis and if exceeding established thresholds, to automatically alarm stakeholders.

Direct advantages of this new solution that the two companies pointed out include:

  • Ease of use: A user-friendly set-up and intuitive interface make rapid deployment of tens, hundreds or even thousands of sensors possible with minimal training needed. This reduces the time and cost associated with traditional GNSS-based movement monitoring systems while ensuring long-term sensor reliability;
  • Cost effective: This solution leverages wireless IoT technology to minimise infrastructure costs, eliminating the need for extensive cabling and reducing maintenance expenses. It also reduces the number of components and accessories needed when compared to traditional systems; and
  • Survey-grade precision: The GNSS Meter’s RTK technology and edge processing achieves reliable, millimetric precision enabling deployment across a range of project types and environments.

Andrea Bartoli, Chief Technology Officer at Worldsensing, said: “Our collaboration with Trimble enables us to provide the geospatial market with an innovative solution that leverages IoT connectivity for precise, autonomous ground movement monitoring in land surveying, offering significant cost savings over traditional methods.”

Riley Smith, Strategic Marketing Director, Monitoring, Mining and Tunnelling at Trimble, added: “This is a fit-for-purpose solution that simplifies deployment and reduces costs. It will be easier than ever for our customers in the mining, construction and infrastructure industries to meet a greater range of project requirements needing widespread sensor deployment across challenging environments.”

Worldsensing enhances portfolio with underground mining-focused IoT network technology

Communications in mining, IoT, Mining safety, Mining services, , , , ,

Internet of Things (IoT) remote monitoring company, Worldsensing is enhancing its support for the mining industry with an offering that, it says, provides seamless data acquisition and transmission underground to help improve risk management.

The new monitoring suite includes an IoT network technology that has been specifically developed for underground environments.

As an enhancement to Worldsensing’s existing portfolio, a repeater device now extends the reach of the company’s LoRa IoT configuration with what the company calls “tree topology”. This edge repeater expands the network range and data transmission to almost 10 km underground when sending data in three “hops”, the company explained.

Worldsensing’s LoRa network runs on a sub-gigahertz radio frequency. In underground environments and, as part of the LoRa Tree network, repeaters can retransmit data from nodes to the gateway in a multi-hop setup. Each repeater can reach a gateway up to several kilometers away in a single hop provided the route is near a straight line. In comparison, medium-range mesh networks which use sub-gigahertz frequency can reach a gateway some hundred meters away in a single hop. Short-range mesh networks based on 2.4 gigahertz setups can obtain single-hop ranges of some meters underground, according to the company.

Even in more complex underground environments, the LoRa tree topology still outperforms wireless alternatives by allowing continuous data flow with a range of hundreds of metres, the company says. Overall, this long-range underground technology leads to cost reductions and time savings given that comparably fewer devices are needed to create the monitoring network which leads to lower maintenance to keep the network running and data flowing.

“We have worked with top mining companies to deliver a unique solution that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in underground monitoring,” Andrew Frost, Worldsensing’s Chief Product and Marketing Officer, said. “With this launch, we are reinforcing our commitment to safety in the mining sector, giving mine operators access to the same data underground as they use today to monitor operations on the surface.”

As part of the LoRa tree technology, Worldsensing is launching a edge repeater device that can connect to and retransmit the data of hundreds of nodes. A cloud-based version is planned for the future.

According to Andrea Bartoli, Worldsensing’s Chief Technology Officer, this solution addresses underground monitoring issues, including scattered data collection, highly transited, harsh environments and intricate topologies.

“This new technology has been tested extensively in operational mines and has demonstrated the best cost efficiency for devices deployed and coverage obtained,” Bartoli said. “We have seen that the solution can even reach up to 15 km in range. With this offering, we are deepening our strong links to the mining sector, adapting our offering to provide the best possible operational results for underground environments.”