A
radio frequency communication
system utilizing a radiating
transmission line for communicating data signals is disclosed. The data signals convey
digital data to remotely located data devices, including computers, equipment control systems and
digital video cameras. The data signals have a wide bandwidth of about 0.5 MHz to 32 MHz. In this way, the communication
system creates a
local area network by means of the radiating communication line. The communication
system is intended to be used in environments where radio
waves do not propagate well, such as in underground environments, and in particular mines. The communication system comprises at least one
amplifier connected to the radiating
transmission line for periodically amplifying the data signals by demodulating the data signals to recover the data contained therein and then modulating the recovered data into a regenerated
radio frequency at a
power level permitting transmission and
radiation of the regenerated
radio frequency data signal. The regeneration amplifiers comprise a processor for temporarily storing and performing
error detection and correction functions on the recovered data. The regeneration amplifiers also comprise a device for tracking the data devices within the coverage area of the regeneration
amplifier. Information regarding the data devices within the coverage area of each regeneration
amplifier is sent to a system
server of the communication system and the system
server utilizes this information to account for delays caused by the regeneration amplifier. The communication system may support
cable modem protocols such as
DOCSIS.