RFS Improves Indoor Coverage on Brazil’s Oil and Gas Platforms to Ensure Worker Safety
São Paulo, Brazil, April 22, 2020 – Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), a global designer and manufacturer of total-package solutions for wireless and broadcast infrastructure, today announced it is providing turnkey wireless indoor communications solutions that will extend high-quality wireless coverage to every area on 30 oil and gas platforms in Brazil.
Indoor communications systems that meet strict safety requirements
Brazil is known for the extensive oil and gas reserves along its coastline. To support fuel extraction, storage and transport activities in high seas, the industry relies on three types of ocean-based work platforms: fixed platforms, semi-submersible platforms and ships.
Due to the remote location and low accessibility of these platforms, Brazil’s National Oil Association has established strict controls for safety and communications, and has mandated that all platforms must have good quality network coverage. Because employees onboard the platforms typically work on a 14 days on, 14 days off cycle, they spend almost half of the month confined to the non-operational areas of the platform. “In case of an emergency, the communications system must provide the coverage needed to ensure employees can be contacted anywhere on the platform and rescued if needed,” says Amauri Soares, RFS Project Manager.
Turnkey RFS solutions
The onboard communications systems are being upgraded from 450 MHz UHF analog radios to digital mobile radio (DMR) technology by using radiating cables to ensure effective and efficient communications in all areas of the platforms. RFS is delivering complete, turnkey solutions to support the radios, which are being provided by a technology partner. The RFS solutions include:
- Technical site surveys
- RF project design
- Installation
- Commissioning
- Field acceptance testing
- Operational assistance
- Final project report
“The main challenge of this project is to extend wireless coverage to the non-operational areas of each platform,” explains Soares. “With the RFS solutions, high-quality wireless communications will be assured throughout each platform, between offshore and onshore locations, as well as between all platforms and ships. In addition, because the updated communications systems are digital, they will eliminate low-frequency interference, ensuring clear communications, even in extremely noisy areas of the platforms.”
RFS is currently creating project designs. As a second step, the company will start to revitalize the existing radiating cable solutions and upgrade the radio technology to digital to ensure robust wireless communications services on all platforms and ships.
Trademarks: RFS® is a trademark of Radio Frequency Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About RFS
Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure.
RFS serves OEMs, distributors, system integrators, operators and installers in the broadcast, wireless communications, land-mobile and microwave market sectors. As an ISO compliant organization with manufacturing and customer service facilities that span the globe, RFS offers cutting-edge engineering capabilities, superior field support and innovative product design. RFS is a leader in wireless infrastructure.
For more information, visit www.rfsworld.com, or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RFSworld.
