Real Underground Radio

Different things mean different things to different people. Take "underground radio," for instance. To me it means alternative music, low power, and an outlaw mentality. But to the folks at Los Alamos National Lab, underground radio means just that--through-the-earth communications.

Developed by the Lab as an emergency communication for first responders, rescue and security teams, underground miners, and the like, through-the-earth communication provides two-way voice and text interaction and provides a data link to robotic machines. Unlike conventional radio signals which are line-of-sight limited, the technology can send information through the Earth for several miles, or through concrete, steel, rock, and the like.

Underground radio uses very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic radiation and digital audio compression technology to carry voice and text data. The VLF signals also can transmit tracking and location data for radio users in the case that they are unable to respond.

"This is a technical solution to the problem of voice communication in underground areas. It is also inexpensive to build," said David Reagor, the principal investigator of the Los Alamos team who originally developed the technology.

To make the underground radio more widely available, the Lab has licensed the technology to Vital Alert Technologies.

"The new technology is a breakthrough in digital and wireless communications," said Joe Miller, of Vital Alert. "As a pre- and post-emergency warning, evacuation, and rescue communication system, it solves RF [radio frequency] radio failure problems and eliminates systems downtime complications in difficult environments such as subways, tunnels, skyscrapers, and mines. The new technology will also greatly enhance the ability of mining companies to protect their workers."

Posted by Jon Erickson at 11:43 AM  Permalink