Communications
Systems
October 19, 2003
My preliminary strategy for commuications:
-Remote control of the pipelines will model the Trans-Alaskan pipeline.
Primary control systems will be through microwave communications and
backup systems will be through satellite. The remote control system
will be responsible for various monitoring and control activites, including
the detection of leaks, explosions, and other emergencies.
-Communications within and between drill sites will be through VHF radio.
VHF is easily used through small walkie-talkies. A wide range of
frequencies can be accessed by a single hand held device to communicate
between drill sites.
-Emergency communications systems will consist of a primary HF radio
system and a backup satellite system. HF radios are easy to set up
and provide reliable long range frequency. It is also the system
used by ships out at sea. This emergency channel will be monitored
24/7 for possible blowouts, injuries, and other similar situations.
-Communications between the entire drilling project and the outside world
will be through satellite. This type of communications include the
transfer of video, audio, television, and data. The use of fiberoptics
may replace satellite as the primary communications system pending further
research, in which case satellite will become the backup system.
-The possibility of using PDA's and GPS services to replace radio communications
has been suggested but has yet to be researched.
The above strategies are only preliminary and are likely to change.
back to top
October 5, 2003
Communications systems was assigned to me today (self-assigned)
Types of communication methods:
-Low Frequency and Middle Frequency radio waves--not really used
anymore
-High Frequency (HF) radio waves: special property of HF radio waves
is that they are highly reflective; they can bounce between the Earth
and the ionosphere, and so can travel extremely long distances; the long
wavelengths of HF radio waves requires that they be transmitted off of
extremely long antennas; bandwidths are only 20 KHz wide and accomodates
one channel at a time; ships use this type of communications
-Very High Frequrency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio
waves: both used in television broadcasting; bandwidths of 150 KHz allow
multiple channels, for example stereo sound which requires two lines;
shorter wavelengths mean shorter antennas; also limited by line of sight
transmission; shorter range compared to HF radio
-Super High Frequency (SHF) radio waves: even shorter wavelengths
and longer bandwidths
-Microwaves: uses parabolic antennas, super duper short wavelengths
and bandwidths of 5MHz, can easily accomodate a network of 600 channels;
extremely limited by line of sight transmission, so antennas must be located
on tall towers to avoid interference;
-satellite relay stations can relay messages from across the globe
-telephone: may not be practical in the arctic tundra
-fiberoptics: to be researched
Best ideas so far:
-HF for an emergency channel system; HF is long range, easy to set
up, and inexpensive; can easily travel from a drill site to a distant control
center
-VHF for local communication, as in within a drill site; VHF radios
allow multiple channels and can be used by small walkie-talkies; small
power outputs will only support short range communications, allowing the
same channel to be reused at distant sites; larger power outputs will carry
signals farther and allow communications between a large but still farily
local area
back to top
back to home page
