Maximizing QoS in railway radio networks: leaky cable and ray-tracing for optimal BER on bridges

Abstract

The future railway mobile communication system (FRMCS) standard is crucial for advancing railway communication and implementing intelligent train control systems. This research focuses on development of an efficient modeling method to evaluate and optimize FRMCS performance on railway bridges, particularly under high-density modulation and radio noise interference. The key aspect of this study involves computer modeling of the deployment of a leaky coaxial cable (LCX) and comparison of its performance to traditional methods of radio coverage modeling. Using the single-slot radiation pattern, we evaluate the quality of radio communication by comparison of the bit error rate (BER) metrics for the Ray Tracing propagation model with and without the use of LCX. The results show that the use of LCX significantly reduces BER values, providing a much clearer and more reliable signal. This improvement is crucial for the safety and reliability of railway operations, ensuring effective communication for train control and reducing the risk of accidents in complex and high-demanding transport networks. This research contributes to the optimization of railway information infrastructure, with the aim of ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations.