Trend or game changer? The significance of 5G for rail
A new generation of rail operations and services is already on the move, and a key enabler behind this evolution is 5G.
5G – more than a trend?
5G is the fifth-generation mobile network enabling up to 10 times the speed of LTE. It also provides greater reliability, while consuming less energy. Why is it so important for rail?
As wireless data volumes are increasing, e.g. between networked vehicles, sensors, signals and control centers, 5G is essential to provide a secure and reliable communication framework, while also enabling greater flexibility and efficiency. In short, 5G is not a trend or a “nice-to-have”, but rather a prerequisite to drive mobility to the future.
In particular, the lesser-known, deep technological changes of 5G represent key enabling features for the rail industry that make it possible to develop even better and safer systems based on an industrial, tailor-made standard.
Where 5G is taking the lead
In rail infrastructure, 5G is replacing legacy radio technologies and becoming the new standard for wireless-based activities, such as train-to-track and passenger communication. Fully automated train operations in mainline and optimized train-to-track communication as well as real-time data collection are already in use.
Vectron
The dual-mode Vectron is our flagship locomotive. For first prototyping the train was equipped with 5G communication hardware, based on a Siemens built reference system. The prototype collects critical real-time data on every trip, providing updates and insights on latency, network coverage, data transmission and GPS data. Enabling a first basis for support and maintenance, as also train-to-track and track-to-track communication – a major lever for improving throughput and enabling railway applications and services of the future.
Train2Ground
Train fleets struggle to increase capacity while ensuring punctuality and stability. When combining Train2Ground with 5G, rail operations can get the best out of their fleet, maximizing possibilities. The robust and secure connection between trains and the wayside operations center enable diagnostic data in real time, live CCTV feeds and the possibility to adjust train settings en route.
Train2Cloud
Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) in the cloud delivers real-time data on vehicle position and speed profiles, allowing for operators to safely increase the number of vehicles on a rail line and for a tighter timing of train arrivals – and ultimately higher passenger volumes.?
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Simply put, 5G creates the necessary connectivity that rail’s cutting edge digital technologies require – already today and increasingly so in the future.
5G advantages at a glance
For operators
For passengers
The future and beyond
While 3G and 4G are still in widespread use, as the role of digitalization expands, only 5G currently delivers the necessary speed and connectivity for rail to fully harness the latest technologies. As new technologies emerge, the flexibility and security of 5G will become even more essential. With 6G already on the horizon, it’s best to already be “up to speed” with 5G, so upgrading is experienced as a smooth ride for everyone.
By itself, a new standard like 5G is just another communication channel. For the industry, however, it finally creates the opportunity to move away from fixed proprietary communication systems. Now, operators can begin utilizing the public spectrum for their use-cases, based on a standard that keeps on evolving with them.
Do you want to learn more about 5G and rail? Have a look at our webpage .?
Engenheiro
1 年A ‘inércia’ deixou mesmo de ser uma abordagem para se enfrentar o que aí vem (… ou que já aí está ??). Um driver da mudan?a, ainda n?o suficientemente valorizado no nosso setor. Obrigado pela partilha. Um abra?o.
Senior Construction Engineer - Communications/Senior Design Management Engineer
1 年Not only the data throughput but also the the latency and the reliability/availabity are the key factors that will affect the application of 5G network for railway.
Selenium with C# | Java | API Automation with RestSharp, Rest Assured | SDET| BDD Specflow | Postman | Swagger |Azure Git Repo, GitHub| Azure DevOps CI/CD pipeline | Agile | Senior Quality Assurance|
1 年Very useful
Canada's IT Elder
1 年Again Siemens show a good grasp of technology. In doing so they have entered an area of very fast technology change. A very good, as demonstrated in the war in Ukraine, is Telnet's 6G 6 bit high quality data streaming ground satellite terminal. Using this as a standard reference provides a proven technology base for more development for mobile applications. Its narrow beam is software steerable. Every train becomes a high capacity mobile hotspot. Meshed low power high quality data streaming networks for low cost hand held terminals are enabled by using wifi 6.e routers. It is now known by some other 'standard' name. This was for the fat cats among us so they can wander in their mansions and over acres of land and lakes and not interfere with the radio links of their neighbours. Streams of low power, low cost mW repeaters are used instead of 10W terminals. The combination of these 2 standards enables mobile telecommunication systems and services to be used in trains intended for crisis management. Such as those for wildfires, floods, crashes with mass casualties, etc.. Siemens can do much more in the development of this good product and service offerings.