TECHNOLOGY

Rajant, Extronics collab improves asset tracking

Rajant Corporation, the provider of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, has entered into a strategic partnership with Extronics, a UK-based company specialised in intrinsically safe and explosion-proof equipment, to bring intrinsically safe Wi-Fi tags into hazardous work environments

Extronics’ AeroScout tags are now intrinsically safe and certified for use in hazardous work areas

Extronics’ AeroScout tags are now intrinsically safe and certified for use in hazardous work areas

By combining Extronics' Wi-Fi tags for personnel and assets tracking with Rajant's latest firmware, 11.19.1, Extronics' AeroScout tags are now intrinsically safe and certified for use in hazardous work areas.

The AeroScout Wi-Fi-based active RFID tags enable the wireless network infrastructure to track the location and condition of valuable assets or people. The small battery-powered, rugged, programmable tags send short 802.11 messages at a predefined interval.

According to the companies, their main features include long battery life, flexible mounting options, call button and tamper-proof options, on-board sensor capabilities, the ability to store and receive data messages, and a clear channel assessment that avoids Wi-Fi data traffic interference.

"Rajant's latest firmware release, 11.19.1, provides Extronics Wi-Fi tags with intrinsically safe support when using Rajant's LX5, ME4 or KM3 network," explained Geoff Smith, Rajant's executive VP of sales & marketing.

"This is especially relevant to personnel tracking, which is a requirement for underground mines, and other industries, such as oil and gas, petrochemical and ports.

"Given Rajant's fully mobile private wireless network never breaks for handoff and always seeks the most efficient data path, customers using Rajant's technology will not only be able to track personnel, but also identify productivity bottlenecks to improve operational efficiency."

Chris Sadler, Extronics business development manager for the Americas, said: "Extronics is focused on helping industrial customers improve safety and efficiency through communication and situational awareness, so it's great to partner with Rajant. With their Kinetic Mesh wireless network now certified as compatible with AeroScout technology, we're looking forward to providing robust solutions that suit our customers' requirements."

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalog of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.