Bombardier certifies LTE vendors for rail comms, control

Bombardier Transportation has successfully completed tests to operate its range of mass transit and mainline rail control solutions with the latest LTE standard for wireless data communications.

The tests were carried out with Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia and ZTE. The technical assessments were conducted in line with the rail signalling industry’s quality of service (QoS) requirements for the transmission of critical signalling information alongside other wireless communication with the train.

LTE is rapidly being adapted for the railway industry for ground-to-train voice and data communications.

Operators using LTE will be able to integrate the transfer of safety-critical signalling, closed-circuit television, passenger information systems as well as onboard internet services onto one network.

In addition, operating rail control solutions with LTE will enable enhanced system stability and data encryption and security.

“Thanks to its high capacity, LTE can provide a broad range of services to the public and various infrastructure operators,” said Peter Cedervall, president, Rail Control Solutions Division, Bombardier Transportation.

“Our recent, successful multiservice tests with a number of telecommunications networking partners will ensure we continue to offer our customers around the world reliable, proven and advanced solutions as they respond to new requirements.”

Image courtesy Bombardier Transportation.