Telemetric data logger and monitor for mining vehicles

Telemetry is the technology that allows data measurement at a distance. It uses data loggers which record data over time or in relation to location, either with built-in instruments or through instruments and sensors. The system discussed in the paper is based on a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC18F4550), a series of sensors, a Radio Frequency (RF) link and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed using Visual Basic (VB). The system was designed to monitor mining vehicles by measuring engine temperature, transmission temperature, hydraulic oil temperature and hydraulic pressure in pumps and hoist cylinders. The data measured by the sensors in the mining vehicles (the plant) is transmitted to the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System (SCADA) through the RF link. The RF link uses a transmission frequency of 433.95 Mega Hertz (MHz) to enable flawless communication between the plant and the SCADA. The developed prototype was simulated using small pressurized containers and heating systems and the results were displayed on the GUI. The whole system development process was a multi-discipline project and it showed that RF communications are very reliable in data transmission