France-based CEA Tech research institute CEA-Leti and blasting solutions group Davey Bickford Enaex have partnered to develop a new, flexible wireless system, with enhanced safety and productivity, for the blasting market.

The new system comprises electronic detonators with bidirectional radio modules placed on the surface of a mining pit, with the wireless network communicating with a digital blasting system located a few kilometres away from the blasting zone.

It is controlled by a wireless communication protocol specifically developed and optimised to ensure safe, reliable and synchronised operation of hundreds of detonating elements in openpit mines, says IRT Nanoelec director Hughes Metras.

The wireless activation of the detonators is a key innovation of the new blasting solution.

“By replacing wired communications with an innovative wireless link, this new system helps bring large-scale mining into the digital era and increases safety, efficiency and productivity for mine operators,” he explains.

Each detonator can be powered up, programmed and reconfigured by means of an easy-to-use remote programming unit that operates through a safe and dedicated optical link.

“The reliable and secure wireless solution for the actuation of hundreds of electronic detonators was tested successfully in an openpit mine,” Metras says.

The system was developed within the CEA-Leti-led 20-partner consortium, technological research institute IRT Nanoelec, which undertakes research and development in the field of information and communication technologies and micro- and nanoelectronics.

“This project also highlights the expertise of CEA-Leti in developing reliable and safe communication protocols for industrial Internet of Things applications and underscores the value of the systems approach carried out by Nanoelec with the support of CEA-Leti’s wireless division,” he continues.

“The innovation demonstrated in this joint-development project is an important milestone in the collaboration between CEA-Leti and Davey Bickford Enaex,” adds Davey Bickford technology and system director Nicolas Besnard.

“Our company is committed to bringing the latest mine-blasting technologies to our customers around the world and this new electronic wireless-detonation system is another strong addition to our portfolio of solutions and services.”

The joint research and development project is part of IRT Nanoelec’s Pulse programme, in which connectivity between objects is studied by CEA-Leti’s teams.

The programme enables access to CEA-Leti channel-sounding tools and radio-frequency system characterisation.