A 58 GHz Communication Link for Railway Applications

Modern railbound traffic has the need for a communication system between traffic control center and trains within the network. This can be accomplished using 35 GHz line-of-sight transmission as shown before. Such an approach incorporates high data rate transmission and high selectivity of orientation. Because of the low atmospheric attenuation under clear weather conditions compared to the rain attenuation at 35 GHz the sensitivity requirements of such an attempt might cause difficulties in the design of an entire system. These complications will not occur for a transmission frequency of 58 GHz. In the vincinity of the oxygen absorption around 60 GHz the transmission range ratio for clear weather and for rain is reduced drastically. Therefore propagation measurements along different railway lines have been carried out at 58 GHz. According to the railway environment secure transmission should be achieveable for distances up to 1,000 m.