An Open Access Journal
Table 3 CBTC–PTC wireless telecommunication technologies
Standard | Family | Radio tech | Downlink/uplink | Reliability/implementation | Mobility | Broadcast range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IEEE 802.11 | WLAN | OFDM | Up to 54 Mbps | Already implemented on board some trains | Operational for subway CBTC | Base station needed every 500 m for continuous subway CBTC | Useful CBTC rate: 6–7 Mbps |
IEEE 802.16 | WMAN WiMAX | OFDMA | 70 Mbps | QoS/Easy | High | <20 km | Useful rate: 10 Mbps at 10 km range. |
Satellite | Broadcast | Satellite Digital Radio | Broadcast satellite to train 16 kbps | High | >1,000 km | Satellite visibility requested | |
GSM-R | GSM | CDMA | 9.6 hbps/9.6 kbps | High/Easy | High | Base stations needed every 3–4 km | EU railway dedicated spectrum |