Bird Technologies Group and it's family of companies lead the rail industry in providing wireless communications coverage/capacity solutions along with the test and measurement capabilities to ensure the systems are functioning properly. DeltaNode Solutions, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has developed and implemented innovative Distributed Antenna Systems, specifically designed to handle GSM-R signals along with other wireless technologies. Bird Electronic, based in Solon Ohio, has designed and installed RF power measurement, spectrum analysis and test systems that meet the environmental challenges and ensure the communications reliability required by the rail industry. X-Com Systems, based in Reston, Virginia, provides RF record, analysis and playback systems that can trouble shoot the most complex wireless communications systems and eliminate the impact of interference that can disrupt the automated railway communications and signalling systems (ERTMS and ETCS). Bird Technologies is the RF Expert for the rail industry.
Repeaters and Fiber-DAS Solutions for Rail
The DeltaNode Fiber-DAS solution can be used to provide coverage in tunnels and cuttings as well as other places where the base station signals from the Railway GSM-R, TETRA and other systems cannot easily propagate. Additionally, in areas with interference, a dominant cell can be provided via outdoor DAS distribution of the signals. The Fiber-DAS solution has been field proven on railways in the United States, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where it is used to provide excellent coverage for the GSM-R system. When designed and installed properly, the DAS also provides excellent coverage for other important systems, such as TETRA, Cab Secure Radio and Commercial Wireless Services for multiple frequency bands, technologies and operators. Where a direct base station connection cannot be obtained, DeltaNode off-air repeaters can be used to drive the DAS. Systems can also be built with various levels of redundancy as needed for each individual project.
The DeltaNode Fiber-DAS solution can be used to provide coverage in tunnels and cuttings as well as other places where the base station signals from the Railway GSM-R, TETRA and other systems cannot easily propagate. Additionally, in areas with interference, a dominant cell can be provided via outdoor DAS distribution of the signals. The Fiber-DAS solution has been field proven on railways in the United States, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where it is used to provide excellent coverage for the GSM-R system. When designed and installed properly, the DAS also provides excellent coverage for other important systems, such as TETRA, Cab Secure Radio and Commercial Wireless Services for multiple frequency bands, technologies and operators. Where a direct base station connection cannot be obtained, DeltaNode off-air repeaters can be used to drive the DAS. Systems can also be built with various levels of redundancy as needed for each individual project.
| Balise Testing Modern high-speed Rail transportation systems rely on transponders that are fixed to known locations on the rail lines. These transponders in Europe are typically of the Eurobalise type. They are activated when a train passes over their fixed locations creating a communication link. The train signal communicates with the Balise to allow the rail communication system to pinpoint the train location and speed. The Balise communicates with the automatic control systems on the train, making adjustments to the train's speed or notifying the train of potential issues further down the line. This network is critical to both the efficient and safe operation of the rail system. |  |
Cable and Antenna Testing
Bird Technologies offers a wide variety of monitoring solutions for your installations. Base stations, Fiber-DAS networks and any other antenna and cable systems can be monitored using a wide array of Bird equipment, from simple power detectors to advanced statistical power meters. Bird even offers an in situ spectrum analyser that can be monitored remotely using standard IP connections. Antenna monitoring is increasingly important as systems are getting more and more complex and while some applications can be served with VSWR measurements, others require advanced tools for analysis. This is especially true when the base station is not directly feeding the antenna network and there is a Fiber-DAS system or an off-air Repeater distributing the signals.
Bird Technologies offers a wide variety of monitoring solutions for your installations. Base stations, Fiber-DAS networks and any other antenna and cable systems can be monitored using a wide array of Bird equipment, from simple power detectors to advanced statistical power meters. Bird even offers an in situ spectrum analyser that can be monitored remotely using standard IP connections. Antenna monitoring is increasingly important as systems are getting more and more complex and while some applications can be served with VSWR measurements, others require advanced tools for analysis. This is especially true when the base station is not directly feeding the antenna network and there is a Fiber-DAS system or an off-air Repeater distributing the signals.
Testing Solutions
Bird Technologies has a comprehensive line of advanced RF test equipment for all your testing needs. Well known for it's long history of power measurement, Bird currently offers a wide range of power sensors to accurately measure RF power as well as a wide array of other critical system parameters. Their Site Analyser and SiteHawk products are excellent tools for diagnosing your cable and antenna system performance as well as locating any sources of failure. Along with their SignalHawk Spectrum Analyser that measures over-the-air signals, these products are well suited to verifying coverage and power levels, measure VSWR and other system performance parameters needed to commission a site before it goes on air.
Bird Technologies has a comprehensive line of advanced RF test equipment for all your testing needs. Well known for it's long history of power measurement, Bird currently offers a wide range of power sensors to accurately measure RF power as well as a wide array of other critical system parameters. Their Site Analyser and SiteHawk products are excellent tools for diagnosing your cable and antenna system performance as well as locating any sources of failure. Along with their SignalHawk Spectrum Analyser that measures over-the-air signals, these products are well suited to verifying coverage and power levels, measure VSWR and other system performance parameters needed to commission a site before it goes on air.
GSM-R Survey Solutions
GSM-R radios were originally designed to find the best signal available by roaming all GSM networks when there were no available signals in the GSM-R band. Close spacing of different services in adjacent bands creates a serious problem today as interference from the adjacent commercial wireless E-GSM 900MHz band can disrupt service on the GSM-R network. The interference problem is compounded as UMTS and LTE are being deployed by commercial operators on these frequencies as well. Bird Technologies X-Com Systems division equipment can be deployed to locate ANY interference issues as well as find ANY coverage gaps where the GSM-R signal is weak or not penetrating.
The best way to find these potential interferers from E_GSM, UMTS or LTE is to deploy X-Com Systems RF Recording Equipment. The X-Com IQC5000B can be deployed on a test train, record all of the RF signals in the GSM-R spectrum and with the Spectro-X software, analyse the sources of the interference. This will ensure that the commercial systems are not operating at a power level that interferes with the GSM-R system signals.
The same spectrum recording from the IQC5000B can analyse for any gaps in GSM-R coverage. Since the IQC5000B time stamps the RF data with GPS locations, the strength of the GSM-R signal can be analysed at all locations along the rail line. If gaps in coverage are discovered, the DeltaNode repeaters or DAS remotes can be deployed to provide full coverage and eliminate those coverage gaps. RF signal strength can change over time as new systems are deployed and the environment along the rail lines changes with new building construction or vegetation growth. Additional RF surveys utilising the X-Com System's IQC5000B can be made and those results can be compared to any prior recordings to determine if there has been any signal degradation or new interferers have created coverage problems.
GSM-R radios were originally designed to find the best signal available by roaming all GSM networks when there were no available signals in the GSM-R band. Close spacing of different services in adjacent bands creates a serious problem today as interference from the adjacent commercial wireless E-GSM 900MHz band can disrupt service on the GSM-R network. The interference problem is compounded as UMTS and LTE are being deployed by commercial operators on these frequencies as well. Bird Technologies X-Com Systems division equipment can be deployed to locate ANY interference issues as well as find ANY coverage gaps where the GSM-R signal is weak or not penetrating.
The best way to find these potential interferers from E_GSM, UMTS or LTE is to deploy X-Com Systems RF Recording Equipment. The X-Com IQC5000B can be deployed on a test train, record all of the RF signals in the GSM-R spectrum and with the Spectro-X software, analyse the sources of the interference. This will ensure that the commercial systems are not operating at a power level that interferes with the GSM-R system signals.
The same spectrum recording from the IQC5000B can analyse for any gaps in GSM-R coverage. Since the IQC5000B time stamps the RF data with GPS locations, the strength of the GSM-R signal can be analysed at all locations along the rail line. If gaps in coverage are discovered, the DeltaNode repeaters or DAS remotes can be deployed to provide full coverage and eliminate those coverage gaps. RF signal strength can change over time as new systems are deployed and the environment along the rail lines changes with new building construction or vegetation growth. Additional RF surveys utilising the X-Com System's IQC5000B can be made and those results can be compared to any prior recordings to determine if there has been any signal degradation or new interferers have created coverage problems.
About
Bird Technologies has long been recognised as the leader in various segments of the RF industry, from test equipment to DAS, infrastructure and high speed data capture and analysis. For further information, please Contact Us.
To download a PDF copy of this document, Click Here.
Bird Technologies has long been recognised as the leader in various segments of the RF industry, from test equipment to DAS, infrastructure and high speed data capture and analysis. For further information, please Contact Us.
To download a PDF copy of this document, Click Here.