Shunting rail networks onto 5G

Communications are critical for fast-moving trains carrying thousands of passengers and tons of cargo. The current technology, called Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway (GSM-R) is a communication lifeline for the train industry based on 2G technology, which is close to retirement. Used for communication between train and railway regulation control centres, the system is based on specifications that guarantee performance at train speeds up to 500 kilometres per hour, without any communication loss.

With the advent of 5G, however, the rail industry is set on developing the technology to carry rail communications into the future: Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS).

Siemens Mobility made the decision to use the Softil BEEHD Mission Critical Communications (MCX) Framework to develop the range of next generation communications solutions. These will be used in the FRMCS railways as well as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) metro applications like underground, tram, buses and other means of transportation. The MCX-based solutions are designed to support the FRMCS architecture of the International Union of Railways (UIC).

This case study discusses the needs of migration from GSM-R to FRMCS via the creation of the next generation communication solutions, and the process of selecting the right enabling technologies for the development of such next generation products to ensure standards-compliance, interoperability and acceleration time to market from design to the final solution.

Migrating from GSM-R to FRMCS

The new broadband communication system for the railway industry has to guarantee interoperability with GSM-R while delivering on:

• critical communications: secure voice communication between driver and signaller, provision for emergency and group calls, the intelligent bearer for European Train Control System (ETCS) and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) operation
• performance communications: track condition monitoring, Connected Driver Advisory System (C-DAS), on-train telemetry, maintenance of non-critical infrastructure, non-critical real-time video and wireless communication for on-train-staff
• business communications: passenger information system, passenger entertainment and passenger communication connections.
   

Siemens Mobility will enable existing GSM-R users to develop a migration plan that will allow all of the above. The Softil BEEHD framework supports MCX FRMCS requirements and functionality, enabling Siemens Mobility’s solutions to deliver stable voice as well as data communications on trains running at speeds up to 500 km/h.

FRMCS technology makes possible the transmission of railroad information to engine drivers, as well as multimedia-based group calling and SMS services on top of voice call services. Additionally, real-time group/individual communication is made possible between train engineers and control centres.

Softil’s BEEHD is a 3GPP MCX Release 16 standard-compliant cross-platform framework (SDK) designed for developers and manufacturers of handheld and ruggedised devices, MCX/LMR gateways, dispatch consoles, recording solutions and train/metro communication equipment.

BEEHD technology is also destined for system integrators, MCX application developers and service providers looking to accelerate the development of IP-based mission-critical voice and video over LTE and 5G (MCPTT, MCVideo, MCData) solutions for first responders, utilities, mining,  transportation and more. BEEHD offers market-proven interoperability with all major MCX systems deployed around the world.

Implementation of the MCX technology is an involved task due to the complexity and sheer volume of MCX standards, as well as differences in the deployment environment between different service implementations.

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