Networked Detonator Firing Control With Dual-Message Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blasting systems face challenges in ensuring reliable and safe operation of networked electronic detonators, particularly in preventing inadvertent activation and ensuring valid command reception due to potential bit flips and lack of remote control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a remote turn-on feature for the blasting machine, utilizing multiple command acknowledgments and CRC checks, and employing a wireless slave bridge unit with a master controller for secure and synchronized command issuance, ensuring valid command reception and safe detonation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote turn-on feature is implemented, then operator safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A remote controller acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the blasting machine. The remote controller receives commands from the operator and transmits them to the blasting machine over a communication network, enabling safe remote operation without requiring the operator to be physically present at the blast site during critical operations.
2Reliability
If multiple command acknowledgments and CRC checks are implemented, then command reliability is improved, but communication time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol incorporates acknowledgment signals where the blasting machine confirms receipt and processing of commands sent by the remote controller. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable command transmission while maintaining efficient communication through structured exchange of control signals and status information.
3Ease of operation
If wireless slave bridge unit with master controller is implemented, then remote control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller and wireless slave bridge unit are designed as multi-functional devices capable of performing various control operations including power management, command transmission, communication protocol handling, and system monitoring. This consolidation of functions into unified devices simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling comprehensive remote control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Ethernet systems, methods and blasting machines are presented for remote turn on of the blasting machine and reliable fire and arm commands issuance. Systems, methods, blasting machines and wireless bridge units are presented for wireless blasting for safe firing of detonators under control of a remote wireless master controller in which the blasting machine is connected by cabling to the wireless bridge unit and power to a firing circuit of the blasting machine is remotely controlled via the bridge unit. The bridge unit or Ethernet primary controller selectively provides first and second firing messages to the blasting machine contingent upon acknowledgment of safe receipt of the first firing message by the blasting machine, and the blasting machine fires the connected detonators only if the first and second firing messages are correctly received from the bridge unit.