Abstract: The communication system comprises amplification units coupled to the radiating transmission line at periodic locations for amplifying communication signals radiating and traveling upstream and downstream on the transmission line. During normal operation, mobile communication units near the radiating transmission line can communicate with other mobile communication units near the transmission line as well as with a base station by transmitting communication signals at a first and second frequency. The amplification units also comprise degradation detection units which detect when the communication system has been degraded between any two amplification units. Upon detection of a degradation, the amplification units commence to amplify, transmit and receive the communication signals across the location of the detected degradation at a first fault frequency and a second fault frequency, rather than the first frequency and second frequency, respectively.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A synchronized communication system for communicating signals into and from a medium is disclosed. The communication system utilizes a transmitter located at a central station external to the medium, which transmits a low frequency synchronization signal into the medium. Transceivers located within the medium receive the low frequency synchronization signal and send information radio signals synchronized with the low frequency synchronization signal to a receiver located at the central station. Zone transceivers are located within the medium to receive and retransmit the synchronization signal at the low frequency within a zone. The zone transceivers also receive information signals from transceivers in the zone and transmit zone information radio signals to the central station containing information corresponding to the information received from the transceivers in the zone.

Abstract: A radio frequency communication system utilizing a radiating transmission line for simultaneously communicating audio and video signals is disclosed. The video signals convey video information and the audio signals convey narrow band computer data or audio information. The communication system also provides several separate channels allowing simultaneous audio communication between a plurality of mobile stations. The communication system is intended to be used in environments where radio waves do not propagate well, such as in underground mines. The communication system comprises at least one amplification unit connected to the radiating transmission line for periodically amplifying the audio and video signals. The amplification units have a separate amplifier for amplifying each of the signals and each amplifier is connected to the transmission line in parallel. The amplifiers utilize transistors operating in the linear region.

Abstract: A radio frequency communication system utilizing a radiating transmission line is disclosed. During normal operation, a mobile communication unit near the radiating transmission line can communicate with other mobile communication units near the transmission line as well as with the base station. The communication system is redundant in that if a portion of the communication system fails such that communication signals cannot be communicated through the fault the communication system will continue to operate and communication signals from any mobile communication units near the radiating transmission line will be transmitted and received from the base station. The communication system is particularly suited for use in underground mines in which event the base station can be located at the surface, and the mobile communication units are generally located in the mine shafts.