Hyundai E&C develops TV frequency-based communication for underground tunnels

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. has developed a technology dubbed TV white-space (TVWS) solution that ensures smoother communication between inside and outside tunnels.

TVWS refers to the unused TV channels between the active ones in the VHF and UHF spectrum.

The solution is designated as a regulatory sandbox case by the Ministry of Science and ICT, exempting it from strict regulations.

Previously, two-way radios were used inside tunnels.

But due to distance, communication between inside and outside tunnels was impeded, making it difficult to grasp the status of workers when accidents occurred.

Hyundai E&C and Innonet the developed wireless communication technology that uses TVWS receivers, eliminating the need to extend communication lines. Additionally, receivers installed at regular intervals make Wi-Fi communication possible throughout the entire tunnel.

This technology is advantageous in surface to deep underground communicatoin while offering the possibility to communicate with a transmitter at a distance of up to 10 kilometers away.