Skip to main content

Kapsch offers improved cab radios for railway communications

Kapsch CarrierCom, in partnership with Sierra Wireless, has launched two improved railway cab radios. The RC900 voice and data cab radio and the RD900 data radio are equipped with the latest Sierra Wireless HPRM1radio modules called, which ensure additional robustness against unwanted radio interference and blocking. A stable radio connection is an essential requirement for the railway system. Due to the growing networks of public operators, more and more interference is affecting the communication withi
September 18, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
RSS81 Kapsch CarrierCom, in partnership with 7884 Sierra Wireless, has launched two improved railway cab radios. The RC900 voice and data cab radio and the RD900 data radio are equipped with the latest Sierra Wireless HPRM1radio modules called, which ensure additional robustness against unwanted radio interference and blocking.

A stable radio connection is an essential requirement for the railway system. Due to the growing networks of public operators, more and more interference is affecting the communication within GSM-R networks (GSM for railways). This can result in a loss of radio communications, denial of ETCS (European Train Control System) services and dropped Railway Emergency Calls (REC). The Sierra Wireless HPRM1 radio modules used in the new Kapsch cab radios have improved receiver parameters which are compliant with the latest versions of ETSI (6613 European Telecommunications Standards Institute) specifications.

“The increase of unwanted interference in the GSM-R band is becoming a major challenge for the operation of railway communication systems. Until now we have solved these problems with external filters. Thanks to the new Sierra Wireless technology we now can offer cab radios to our customers with built-in filter technology that solves the majority of interference resulting from public 3G and 4G networks, and this without any external filter,” explains Thomas Schöpf, COO of Kapsch CarrierCom.

“As network operators shift capacity towards 3G and 4G networks, reliable radio filtering technology on GSM-R products has become a critical factor in minimising interference and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity,” said Charles Derivaux, vice-president, Sierra Wireless. “This technology has been incorporated into our newest GSM-R products, and the HPRM1 has been ranked number one in benchmark and performance tests by third-party organisations in the railway industry.” 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Arup report reveals the future of highways
    December 3, 2014
    Future highways will be made from self-healing, glow-in-the-dark materials and will be governed by sophisticated technologies that communicate with cars, road infrastructure and GPS systems, according to the Future of Highways report from global engineering and design consultancy, Arup.
  • Social media a one-stop shop for travel information
    January 20, 2012
    Exponentially widening mobile phone ownership is opening up the field to new ways of obtaining and disseminating better travel information from and to public transport users, via for example social media and tracking riders' phones. Over 50 US transit agencies, including major actors such as TriMet, in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon, Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Texas, and San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), as well as smaller operators, now have Facebook and/or Twitter accoun
  • Coded exchanges
    July 24, 2012
    For many, Ethernet- and IP-based networks are the cast-iron solution to ITS's communications needs. However, there remain issues from manufacturer to manufacturer with interpretation of what are supposed to be common standards The 'promise' of Ethernet was that different devices such as IP video cameras and traffic signals could be easily integrated into communications networks, simplifying the process of transporting data over copper, fibre or wirelessly. However, although Ethernet devices have come to pre
  • Volvo Trucks increases uptime with wireless connection
    July 18, 2012
    Volvo Trucks has developed a new GSM-based system that allows workshops to check a trucks’ condition remotely – a development that promises increased uptime and lower maintenance costs. The system is scheduled for release in Europe in 2013. The new remote services are possible thanks to the latest version of in-truck Telematics Gateway (TGW). This allows the Volvo workshop to monitor the vehicle's wear and condition in addition to reading fault codes remotely, using the GSM network.