Webinar: The Digital Railway supported by FRMCS (9th Nov)
Webinar Recorded: 9th November 2021
FRMCS is the Future Railway Mobile Communications System and is an integral part of the digital railway. The term digital railway was coined when GSM-R was deployed on the European networks to provide train to trackside communications. GSM-R is a digital radio system that has been used successfully over the past 20 years - over 100,000 Km of lines have been covered with more to come in the coming years. However, GSM-R has a limited lifespan with equipment vendors stating that they no longer wish to support GSM-R beyond 2030.
GSM-R, as well as providing voice and data communications, is also the vehicle to carry ETCS signalling. ETCS is an advanced automatic train control system that is part of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) – a major European project to replace all of the dissimilar signalling systems used in various European countries. This project will keep railway engineers employed until 2040 and beyond, and therefore, a successor to GSM-R is required.
FRMCS is not simply a replacement for GSM-R nor is it a single specific technology. In fact, the International Union of Railways (UIC) have stated that FRMCS is technology agnostic.
During this webinar we’ll explore:
- What is FRMCS and how does it differ from GSM-R?
- How soon will railways be replacing GSM-R?
- Is there a migration strategy?
- Do we have sufficient radio spectrum?
- What is the most probable technology that will be used?
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Webinar Speaker: Les GranfieldLes is a technical trainer with 35 years of experience. His expertise extends across a wide range of telecommunications technologies. He specializes in GSM, GSM-R, ERTMS/ETCS, UMTS and LTE radio access networks, radio planning, radio access network optimization and Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC). |