Tropos Networks (News - Alert), a provider of solutions for building reliable, secure and scalable wireless IP broadband networks, announced that PCS Phosphate Company will utilize a Troops wireless communications network at its Aurora, North Carolina Phosphate mine.

PotashCorp-Aurora mines process phosphate ore and the facility is stated to be the world’s largest vertically integrated fertilizer enterprise with over a 1,000 permanent and 550 contract workers.

Troops network explained that it installed mesh routers deployed around the mine’s perimeter and the mobile mesh routers mounted on mining equipment. It transports data collected by sensors on the mining equipment to the facility’s operations center where the information is monitored and analyzed.

Tropos broadband wireless networks can quickly and reliably enable applications essential to safe, successful mine operation including: transmission of equipment telemetry data; live monitoring of trucks; real-time video feeds; video surveillance; site entry/perimeter security systems; field access to drill and blast application data; streaming data from radar scans of high walls; connectivity for onsite office staff who are on the move regularly; mining management software; and more.

With industrial applications such as mining and oil and gas exploration and production becoming a part of its business, Tropos stated that it was pleased to meet PotashCorp-Aurora’s outdoor wireless broadband networking needs and helping them to keep their facility operating continuously and efficiently around the clock.

“After a thorough review during which we evaluated wireless technologies already deployed at our site as well as alternatives that we had not previously examined, we chose Tropos Networks to provide the wireless broadband network in our mine. The Tropos equipment and software provides the cost-effectiveness, mobility support and ease of deployment that we require. We also value the direct customer support that Tropos offers”, said Gary Peterson, superintendent-IT at PotashCorp-Aurora, in a press release.

In related news, Guam Power Authority chose Tropos Networks and Tropos Networks launched an embedded smart grid communications program.