Telecom equipment vendor Huawei and Bombardier Transportation, a provider of rail technology, have demonstrated integrated rail security solutions on a rail test track in Żmigrod, Poland.
The rail security solutions demonstrated combines the broadband data capabilities of Huawei’s eLTE wireless rail communication system with Bombardier’s on-board rail security portfolio and wireless gateway solution.
In addition, Huawei demonstrated on-board security functionality such as video surveillance closed circuit television (CCTV), environmental sensors for detection of gas and radiation levels, and advanced Passenger Information Systems (PIS).
The situations replicated a typical rail environment and day-to-day railway operational situations such as intruder detection and unattended luggage, as well as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear explosives (CBRNE) detection.
The demonstration focused on how Bombardier’s on-board communications gateway within train stations prefers available Wi-Fi network coverage to maximize the benefits of unlicensed Wi-Fi frequencies.
Once the train started moving at a higher speed, Wi-Fi coverage switched over to 3G to enable transmission of critical data. As soon the train entered areas with wireless LTE coverage, the on-board unit automatically enabled data services such as video surveillance and broadband data to maximize the benefits delivered by LTE for rail.
“The integration of smart sensors enables cost savings, while significantly refining security processes with the easy detection of security issues, creating a safer and more enjoyable rail travel experience for people,” said Li Shengli, general manager, Huawei Enterprise Wireless Broadband Department.
With the ability of Bombardier’s on-board mobile communications gateway solution to combine and automatically select the most suitable wireless radio system (i.e. LTE, Wi-Fi or 3G) and Huawei’s wireless railways solutions, railway operators across the world can now benefit from seamless train-to-ground communication.
