Study on feasibility of SATCOM for railway communication

Final Report
9.3.5.2 Vertical assessment
In the list below, a vertical analysis of each technology‘s compliance is presented.
Iridium Next is a 66-satellite LEO constellation providing communication services in L and Ka
bands. It is expected to be fully deployed by 2017 with a life expectancy of 15 years. Thus, it
will be operative until 2032. Currently, Iridium Next possess a TRL 7 and its ground
terminals were successfully tested in 2016. Iridium communications require small-sized nondirectional
(i.e. hemispherical) antennas, which involve easy maintenance. Iridium is expected
to comply with railway certification standards, requiring only minor development and
modifications. Furthermore, Iridium Next provides IP based services, which allow meeting
multi-technology criteria.
MEO C-band is considered as a possible theoretical solution and provides one of the more
balanced and appropriate set of features for the railway scenario. There are no current
solutions nor planned projects to develop this technology. Deploying and integrating a fully
MEO C-band system under 10 years is considered unfeasible. MEO C-band possess a TRL
between 2 and 3. MEO C-band communications require small-sized hemispherical antennas,
which involve lower maintenance cost. MEO C-band solutions will be designed such as
comply railway certification standards.
Inmarsat 4/6 is a 3-satellite GEO constellation providing communication services in L band. I-
4 is currently operative and I-6 is being developed. The first I-6 satellite is scheduled for
launch by 2020 and has a lifetime of 15 years, so it will be operative until 2035. Currently,
Inmarsat 4 possesses a TRL 9. Inmarsat 4/6 communications require small-sized
hemispherical antennas, which involve lower maintenance costs 14 . Inmarsat is expected to
comply with railway certification standards, requiring only minor development and
modifications.
GEO L-band plus ANTARES (IRIS FOC) is a solution of a GEO constellation using the
ANTARES communication standard. The IRIS FOC system (on development under the ESA
ARTES 10 program) is expected to comply with the whole set of requirements considered for
the ANTARES CS, although from 2025. IRIS FOC communications will require small-sized
hemispherical antennas, which will involve lower maintenance cost. The system is assumed to
be well sized and scalable to cover the future railway demand. IRIS FOC, if modified
accordingly for railways, should be designed to comply with future railway certification
standards.
Thuraya is a 2-satellite GEO constellation providing communication services in L band. The
end of the current satellites‘ lifecyle is expected by 2020. However, Thuraya has started a
fundraising campaign to launch new satellites and continue the service. Currently, Thuraya
possesses a TRL 9. The current solution can comply with railway certification standards,
requiring only some modifications.
GEO S-band technology is available and currently operated by Eutelsat, Astra and Europasat.
Its operation is expected to continue at least until 2027. GEO S-band possesses a TRL 9.
GEO S-band communications require small-sized hemispherical antennasantennas, which
involve lower maintenance costs. Furthermore, the current terminals and commercial solutions
could comply the rail certification standards, requiring only some modifications.
14
I4 can provide low profile small-sized directional antenna depending on service type.
Doc.Nº: SRAIL-FNR-010-IND
Edit./Rev.: 1/1
Date: 16/02/2017
Page 165 of 285