5GHz Wireless Data Communication System Using Omnidirectional Antenna and UNII-1 in Urban Railway Application

• Main Authors: Hakim bin Nordin, Muhammad Nur, Sapuan, Syarfa Zahirah, Hassan, Mohd Fahrul
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Data communication; Noise; Omnidirectional antennas; Rail transportation; Reliability; Telecommunications; Throughput; Wireless communication; Wireless fidelity
• ISSN: 2833-1028
• DOI: 10.1109/ICSGRC62081.2024.10691151

Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) are becoming easier to establish and manage, and they have already started to give organizations and workgroups flexible, low-cost networking. In railway applications, a Wireless Data Communication System (WDCS) is one of the crucial systems to provide two ways of wireless communication: Train to Ground and ground to train in terms of video, audio, and data based on digital "WLAN IEEE 802.11 standard [1]." The telecommunication systems are designed to facilitate train and control operations and management of incidents, abnormal operations, and emergencies in the entire railway infrastructure. The WDCS System provides a connection from the train to the backbone telecommunication network supporting and enabling the live Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring video inside the train, Passenger Emergency Calls (PEC), sending the train alarm to the facilities Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), computerized maintenance management system. Therefore, this paper will focus on the WDCS throughput and RSSI along the railway lines and the effects of the noise barrier on the WDCS's signal transmission. The study identified sources of interference and implemented strategies to minimize their impact, enhancing overall system performance and reliability. Some specific components of the research approach commonly used to obtain the conclusions were identifying the actual data throughput achieved under various conditions, various periods of the day, and different train densities at different stations. Additionally, the researcher conducts site assessments to map signal strength levels and coverage areas. This is accomplished by boarding the train along the railway tracks/stations with Wi-Fi measurement tools. We identify and minimize sources of interference, such as adjacent Wi-Fi networks, electronic equipment, or other wireless devices that operate in the same frequency band. Note that effective management of interference within the UNII-1 band was crucial.