Study on feasibility of SATCOM for railway communication

Final Report
TECHNICAL SCORE (ETCS + VOICE)
Inmarsat 5 (Global Xpress)
GEO / Ku-band
SmartLNB
Iridium NEXT
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
MEO / C-band
Inmarsat 4 (BGAN) - Inmarsat 6 (ICE)
GEO / L-band + ANTARES CS
(IRIS FOC)
GEO / X-band
Thuraya
GEO / C-band
GEO / S-band
Figure 93: Technical score (ETCS + Voice applications) of the SATCOM solutions analysed
It is worth mentioning that technical evaluation has been performed considering both voice and data
(ETCS) applications. It has also been stated that, if voice applications were not required, technical
criteria that are more difficult to comply by SATCOM solutions could be achieved (such as the link
availability) or even eliminated (such as the use of handhelds). In this case, and performing the same
previous calculation but considering only ETCS data application, technical requirements could
improve, as Figure 94 shows (take into account that this figure has a different scale in order to
appreciate better differences among solutions). In this case, it can be observed that, in general, all the
solutions improve a lot regarding the previous graph where both voice and ETCS data applications
were considered. In fact, all the solutions seem to improve a similar value except for the MEO/C-band
solution, whose improvement is lower because of this solution was already compliant with most of the
technical criteria.
Hence, and considering the scenario with only ETCS data application, the hypothetical MEO/C-band
and the IRIS FOC (GEO/L-band + ANTARES CS functionalities) are the best-scored solutions.
Doc.Nº: SRAIL-FNR-010-IND
Edit./Rev.: 1/1
Date: 16/02/2017
Page 175 of 285