Mining: Products: System Overview

The Problem: Accurate GPS Positions Not Available 24/7

Machine and surveying applications aimed at boosting mine productivity and efficiency rely on accurate Real-time Kinematic (RTK) GPS positions. Accomplishing this typically requires tracking of a minimum of four satellites with good “geometry”, a condition often not met in deep, open-pit mines.

View-of-Sky: A GPS Requirement

Although GPS has proven to be an indispensable utility for determining positions on the earth's surface, the system design has its limitations, especially in areas with obstructed views of the sky, such as in open-pit mining envrionments. Numerous technologies have been devised to aid, or augment, GPS to work around these limitations. This includes GLONASS (Russian version of GPS), laser tracking, and inertial units. However, these methods have proven to provide only marginal benefits in such challenging environments.

The Solution: Terralite XPS

Terralite XPS works by installing up a network of 4 or more Transmit Stations, or “Terralites,” around the rim of the pit. Terralites broadcast a new positioning signal, called XPS, to mobile receivers mounted on machines.

These unique GPS+XPS receivers are capable of processing XYZ position data using a combination of GPS and Terralite signals. Terralite XPS can provide accurate data even with fewer than 4 satellites in view.

Terralite XPS System

A complete Terralite XPS System consists of:

• 4-12 Terralite XPS Transmit Stations
• Terralite XPS Reference Station
• Any number of GPS+XPS Receivers

For more information, download our system brochure.