ACORDE - Broadband Railway Internet Access on High Speed Trains Via Satellite Links

BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS ON HIGH SPEED TRAINS

ACORDE's railway Internet access communications system (ACVSAT-Train-Ku) combines a bidirectional satellite link with a distribution system on the train. The distribution system (wireless LAN and optical fibre) is also bidirectional within the train itself, linking the satellite terminal and the train users.

The ACVSAT-Train-Ku establishes a connection with a stationary GEO satellite, assuring data rates of at least 4Mbit/s in the downlink and at least 2Mbit/s in the uplink. These data rates are functions of both HUB and satellite transponders, and can be improved by increasing transmit power. These data rates have been successfully tested with the train running at 350km/h.

The satellite link should be provided by a satellite operator which will rent the required bandwidth (for example: 7Mhz for 2+4Mbit/s) to the railway operator. Should the data-rate required by the services provided to each train be lower than 2+4Mbit/s, the 7MHz bandwidth rented from the satellite operator could be shared by several trains without additional HW nor SW modification.

The Internet connection should be provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider); the railway operator should become the ISP to keep control of the system and increase the business revenue.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The ACVSAT-Train-Ku is composed of a communications subsystem, a pointing subsystem and a distribution subsystem.

COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM

The communications subsystem possesses:

• Antenna
• Transmitter
• Modem
• Router IP connectivity

POINTING SUBSYSTEM

This subsystem performs the satellite acquisition and tracking. Three axes can be moved in order to maximise the received or transmitted signal, i.e., azimuth, elevation and feeder polarisation. Several elements are required in the pointing subsystem:

• IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)
• AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
• Control unit

  

DISTRIBUTION SUBSYSTEM

An optical fibre connection is established between the central server and each train car where the conversion from optical to radio domain, and vice versa, takes place. The signal is eventually distributed to the passengers by means of WiFi IEEE802.11g / WiMax IEEE 802.16 access points.

Based on ACORDE's solution, both passengers and rail operators can benefit from the following services:

WIRELESS ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP

Via the Internet:

• Web surfing
• MSN
• Voice over IP connectivity (Skype)
• Email

Via railway operator's Intranet:

• On line games
• Trip maps and facts
• Ticket reservations and sales
• Video streaming
• Electronic newspapers

Passengers willing to use the Internet access service should purchase a prepaid card on the train. Together with the prepaid card users will be provided with a username and password to log on to the system.

IP-BASED VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (CCTV)

The recorded picture on our high speed train CCTV system can be centralised and monitored from a control room. Staff can receive silent alarm messages or even pictures with regard to passenger incidents.

Other specifically anti-terrorism technologies, such as chemical sniffers and radiation detectors, can also be combined into the system.

RAILWAY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

ACORDE's communications system allows railway operators to implement real-time telemetry services for the railway system by means of a 'laboratory car' carrying the measurement equipment for rail wheels, overhead power cable checks, acceleration on train axles, vibrations, etc.

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DaimlerChrysler tests WLAN car-to-car Communication System

Car-to-car communication has nothing to do with gesturing after a close call on the highway. Futurists foresee a time when cars will use systems of GPS and WiFi tech to let them communicate with each other, relaying information about road conditions and traffic anomalies to prevent smash-ups. DaimlerChrysler is testing such a system — dubbed Willwarn (Wireless Local Danger Warning), with which vehicles are able to "warn" of critical situations picked up by on-board sensors, such as fog, black ice or obstacles such as broken-down car. Such distant early warnings, theoretically, would allow a driver time to take evasive action. As DaimlerChrysler notes in a press release, the system could be enhanced by adding radio beacons at the roadside to give traffic control centers ground reports, as well as transmit information on traffic, construction and other route-related issues. No word on when such a system will be in place, but he who comes out first often sets the standard, a benefit DCX and its suppliers are likely gunning for. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

DaimlerChrysler first in the world to effectuate the new technology

In future, motorists will be able to detect danger even if the danger spot lies around the next bend or over the horizon. This has now been successfully verified by DaimlerChrysler experts and their partners in a field test conducted at the conclusion of the "WILLWARN" (Wireless Local Danger Warning) European research project. During the course of this test, five vehicles equipped with WLAN-based radio technology used the "Car-2-X Communication" system to radio details of critical situations detected by their on-board sensors - fog, black ice or obstacles on the road such as broken-down vehicles - to following cars. These early warnings enabled the drivers of the cars behind to prepare for the danger and adapt their speed in plenty of time.

DaimlerChrysler had already tested this technology some six years ago - a world first at the time - by sending the first ever inter-communicating vehicle fleet out onto the road as part of the "FleetNet" research project. This field test demonstrated that WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) technology, which had already proven a success when used for wireless Internet access, also allowed vehicles to communicate with each other. One of the key benefits is that expensive, fixed-installation transmitting and receiving devices are not required, since the cars themselves act as both transmitters and receivers. The cars establish an ad-hoc radio network and send any necessary warnings to all other vehicles within a radius of around 500 metres. For vehicles outside of this radio range, the cars act as relays and pass on any warnings in much the same way as a relay runner would hand over a baton. No additional sensors are required to detect critical situations, since the necessary information is provided by the anti-lock braking system (ABS), the Electronic Stability Program (ESP ), the steering-angle sensors, the outside thermometer or the navigation system.

The DaimlerChrysler engineers incorporated the key groundwork laid during the course of the "FleetNet" project into the subsequent "NOW" (Network On Wheels) programme (a German cooperation project) and the current "WILLWARN" project. Their aim was to use the experience gained to work together with partners from the automotive components and electronics industries in order to further develop and standardise this promising technology whilst also securing the rights to use the required frequencies. The DaimlerChrysler specialists also supplied information to partners who only joined the project at a later stage, quickly realising that the only way to establish a fully-functioning WLAN radio network that would benefit all road users was to cooperate with other car manufacturers and the relevant authorities. After all, for an ad hoc radio network to be of any use, enough vehicles have to be equipped with the necessary technology.

Radio beacons at the side of the road are required in order to ensure that the first vehicles to be equipped with such a system benefit immediately. These stationary radio nodes could also be used to provide traffic control centres with additional and better information. However, direct contact with the Internet and its numerous fields of application is also possible. In addition to warning motorists of critical situations in advance, the new radio network could therefore also be used to improve the flow of traffic: communicating cars could guide their occupants away from traffic congestion or even prevent tailbacks from occurring at all.

DaimlerChrysler was also one of the instigators behind the European "Car2Car Communication Consortium" and is involved in the American Vehicle-Infrastructure Integration Initiative. These projects lay the political foundations for vehicle communication in Europe and America and have the aim of accelerating the process of standardisation.

originally posted by Mike Spinelli at 11:15 AM on Wed Dec 6 2006

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ALBRECHT WLAN radio

I guess i found something interesting that is an ALBRECHT DR-315 from http://www.albrecht-online.de/ . A small radio with powerfull capabilities. It support 802.11 b/g, 54 Mbps, DAB/FM Tuner also can connect to any internet radio station.

I just wonder when this technology will come to my country, Indonesia. Our research here about DAB/DVB or a digital communication even on product is still less than enough. We plotted by some big country just to be a consumer country, not a producent. But I still interest on how this small machine can work based on OFDM modulation technique. May be later after Wimax really deploy here that dream will be come true.
Also, if cognitive radio technology has grown to mature level I also can enjoy this product. I only hope that it won't be take a long enough time. Only government regulation can force that, i guess. So is their polotical will.
This product has been sell about 272 CHF(it's Switzerland Currency) or about 181 Euro or 2,654,752.8 Indonesian Rupiahs not included shipping cost. The price is not to high for such technology we will got. Hmmmm......
but maybe i still cannot use this thing because of there's no network here and the station's coverage. Using a common acces point only cover about 100 m, but if we use wimax maybe we can got a full coverage. So I really hope the government can deploy Wimax soon. So I can take benefit from this product.
It's really nice to dedicate our life to something worthed.
Good night everybody, i think it's time for me to get sleep....see u later

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