2.6 GHz Intra-Consist Channel Model for Train Control and Management Systems

This paper presents a full characterization of the communications channel inside a train vehicle, in both narrow and wideband configurations. The purpose of this characterization is to be one of the first steps to check the feasibility of a wireless implementation of a train-control management system, a service which has been always carried over a wired network. Many different train topologies and scenarios have been taken into account in this paper (continuous and non-continuous train; train inside a tunnel, open-air or depot) and different results have been obtained (path-loss, angle of arrival, power-delay profile, and delay spread). The results show significant differences between continuous and non-continuous trains, and also highlight the importance of having a proper channel model with one slope per train car, instead of having only one slope for the whole train.