Zigbee vs. RFID for Coal Miner Safety
This is a summary comparing RFID and Zigbee coal mining technology. This page works in conjunction wth the previous submission regarding the business development plans of such a program. The system in question was developed and is currently deployed in Mainland China. This system can be localized for North American use.
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Traditional |
Zigbee System |
Notes |
|
Frequency |
13.6MHz |
2.4GHz |
Using RFID technology. This wireless technology works at 13.6MHz, a relatively longer wavelength band that is more likely to be absorbed and better suited for short distance communications. MARS: The 2.4GHz is relies on wave reflection, making it more suitable for underground, wireless communications quality. |
|
Reader Power |
1W-3W |
2.3mW |
|
|
Wireless Reading Distance |
10 - 30 meters |
70 - 100meters |
RFID: Under normal power can cover roughly 5 meters, and up to 25 meters with high power output. MARS reads at distances of between 70 and 100 meters under normal power output.
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|
Card Frequency Power |
50mW |
2.3mW |
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|
Construction Style |
Passive |
Active |
Due to the passive, one way nature of RFID tags, employees must carry multiple articles for identification and communication – thus increasing the changes for lost and misplaced items and forcing false, or no, reads into the system. |
|
Information Capacity |
Low |
High |
RFID products storage capacity: 16B - 2KB, MARS storage capacity: 64KB, |
|
Security |
Low |
High |
Traditional RFID technology carries low encryption rates and is open to confidentiality concerns and external malicious attacks against the system. These attacks could result in system paralysis. MARS carries high encryption, high security performance, and can truly achieve safe production.
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Recognition sensitivity
|
0 |
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Anti-jamming |
Low |
High |
RFID technology, due to low frequency operations, is susceptible to many industrial scene interference signals. |
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Two-way communication capabilities
|
Not Available |
Available |
RFID technology can not process two way transmissions. MARS can identify, upload mine staff signals (such as SOS calls, etc.), but also process the administrator's instructions (such as evacuation alarm, and suggested that illegal entry). |
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Staff identification number
|
Low |
High |
Traditional systems can generally recognize 40-80 people, while MARS has a recognition capacity of 200 people and a success rate of 100%
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Life card consumption
|
1 year |
Chargeable |
Built-in high-power RFID products are generally three to four button batteries, can be used year, but such products are generally sealed and the batteries cannot be replaced without destroying the frame. The MARS system uses built-in high-energy lithium ion rechargeable batteries, charging can power for up to one month.
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System Cost |
High |
Low |
Cost for total systems is typically 1/3 of the existing product cost. |