The Global System for Mobile communications—
Railways (GSM-R) is being deployed in different countries to
develop an efficient communication-based train control (CBTC)
system. GSM-R participates to achieve railways interoperability,
replacing noninteroperable CBTC on existing networks and, thus,
facilitating cross-border train circulations. GSM-R ensures voice
and data transmissions between trains and control centers and also
between trains. As any radio equipment, it is subject to electro-
magnetic (EM) disturbances present in the railway environment.
Therefore, the quality of GSM-R transmissions can deteriorate. It
is then important to evaluate and predict the effect of these dis-
turbances in order to avoid any loss of train operational capacity.
After an overview of the methods used for the characterization of
the EM environment, we describe the GSM-R and the EM distur-
bances that can affect its operation. The reasons why the existing
characterization methods are not fully adapted to the GSM-R are
highlighted. The general principle of classification is briefly re-
called. The rest of this paper develops the methodology proposed
to perform the classification of transient EM noises and the pre-
sentation of a test bench and its associated experimental results.
Finally, an application to an add-on electromagnetic compatibility
supervising equipment installed on board the train is described