No abstract

The migration of TCMS communications to a Wireless Train Backbone (WLTB) is one of the main goals of CONNECTA-2 and Safe4RAIL-2 projects of Shift2Rail initiative. In this paper the suitability of 5G technology for a WLTB is analyzed, both for infrastructure-based and V2X networks. Obtained results indicate that 5G technology is suitable for a WLTB, but in order to cover a large number of consists either high-end 5G configurations need to be used (e.g. 4x4 MIMO in millimeter waves) or the requirements for the WLTB need to be scaled down.

Currently, internal communications in trains are based on wired networks to provide Ultra-reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) for control and monitoring systems. However, these wired infrastructures are expensive to implement and maintain. Wireless Consist Networks (WLCN) can be a solution to this problem. Particularly, 5th Generation (5G) networks are considered one of the best options to support URLLC. This paper analyzes the use of 5G technology for a Wireless Consist Network (WLCN), as a replacement for the current wired network inside train consists. The goal of this analysis is to calculate which 5G configurations are capable of supporting the worst case of the required train backbone traffic. Obtained results indicate that 5G is a potential technology for sensor and end devices communication in the WLCN.