Research of observables adapted to the analysis of EM noise impacting the quality of GSM-Railway transmissions

Abstract

The GSM-R (Global System for Mobile communications - Railways) is a communication system under deployment in Europe to transmit voice exchanges and data signalling information between the trains and the control centres. This system consists in a network of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) located on the track side and the trains are equipped with an antenna on the locomotive connected to an embedded mobile. The GSM-R antenna receives the signals sent by the BTS but can also receive in-band electromagnetic (EM) interferences present above the train. These interferences have therefore to be controlled to verify that their levels do not affect the quality of the GSM-R reception. This paper is focused on the research of observables and measurement methods efficient to control the EM disturbances produced on board the trains, in order to warrant the protection of the GSM-R communications.