International Carpathian Control Conference ICCC’ 2002 MALENOVICE, CZECH REPUBLIC May 27-30, 2002 APPLICATION OF LANWORKS NETWORKS FOR INTRINSICALLY SAFE CONTROL OF MINING ROPE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS Sebastian CZYRWIK 1 , Jacek FERUŚ 2 , Adam HEYDUK 3 , Michał LANGHAMMER 4 Kazimierz MIŚKIEWICZ 5 and Krystian SZEBESTA 6 3,5 Institute of Electrical Engineering and Automation in Mining Silesian Technical University in Gliwice Gliwice, Poland, kmiskiew@zeus.polsl.gliwice.pl 1,2,4,6 Manufacture-Commercial-Service Enterprice ATUT Ltd. Katowice, Poland ul. Sosnowa 25 Abstract: LonWorks technology is a complete platform for implementing networked control system. ATUT networks is an intrinsically safe extension of LonWorks technology that allows us to develop control, signalling and communication systems for methane mines. Each node of the ATUT networks consists of Neuron processor and transformer coupled transiver for twisted pair 78 kbps data rates as well as interfaces depending on node type. The paper presents the design of control system of mining suspended and floor railways using the ATUT-NET network. The communication protocol used has been applied as well as examination results of time relationship while transmitting the signals between nodes. Key words: Mining rope transport, Intrisically safe system, LonWorks, LonTalk. 1 Introduction The special feature of control and signalling systems arranged in mining workings is widespread arrangement and high requirements as regards the reliability. The problem of proper transmission of signals has special significance. Because of limitation in cable expenses it seems advisable to use a serial transmission, which allows transmission of larger amount of information using one pair of wires by means of proper protocol of interface access [Decotignie 1988, Decotignie 1993]. Taking into consideration the cost reduction as well as software reliability increase it is advisable to use the network protocols that were implemented in mass-produced integrated circuits. 427