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Canadian-based NL Technologies has teamed up with visibility solutions company AeroScout to deliver an advanced real-time location solution (RTLS) for the underground mining industry.

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Using standard wireless networking technology and Wi-Fi-based active RFID tags, the joint solution offers immediate and accurate tracking of personnel for improved safety and efficiency.

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NLT and AeroScout said they were moving quickly to approve existing products for intrinsically safe certification in coal mines for customers in Europe, USA, Australia and China, with approvals expected in the second quarter of 2006.

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“AeroScout’s IP-based RTLS is a compelling solution for underground mine operators, providing advanced asset and personnel tracking functionality over standard wireless networks,” NLT sales and marketing vice-president James Hackwood said.

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“This partnership delivers on the ability to utilise data, voice and location services over a single network – one of the key benefits of a unified communication network based on industrial standard Ethernet and Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology.”

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NLT has integrated AeroScout’s wireless real-time location system into their Northern Light Digital Network. AeroScout’s long-range active RFID tag is installed into the Northern Light GII Model cap lamps, providing Wi-Fi-based location tracking capabilities.

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“With this solution in place, the location of workers (as well as valuable mobile equipment) can be continually tracked and viewed in real-time from any Web browser, to ensure safety and improve operations,” NLT said.

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The AeroScout visibility solution enables wireless networking equipment, such as NLT’s mine-hardened access points, to sense the presence of AeroScout tags and determine their accurate location, even in difficult and unpredictable environments such as the underground mine.

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“As mining operations worldwide standardise on Wi-Fi for communications, the introduction of asset and people tracking is a simple and effective way for mines to improve the ROI from their networking infrastructure,” AeroScout marketing vice-president Gabi Daniely said.