Communications are critical for fast-moving trains carrying thousands of passengers and tons of cargo. Currently, the technology called GSM-R is a communication lifeline for the train industry, based on 2G technology which is close to retirement. With the advent of 5G, the rail industry is set on developing the technology which can carry rail communications into the future – FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System).
Siemens Mobility made the decision to use the Softil BEEHD Mission Critical Communications (MCX) Framework to develop the range of next generation communications solutions. These will be used in the Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMCS) railways as well as Mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) metro applications like underground, tram, buses and other means of transportation.
This case study discusses the needs of migration from GSM-R to FRMCS via the creation of the next generation communication solutions, and the process of selecting the right enabling technologies for the development of such next generation products to ensure standards-compliance, interoperability, and acceleration time to market from design to the final solution.
