Applications of the Funkwerk Mobility Platform
Voice and
data radio
Train radio plays an important role in railway operations. It ensures communication between the mobile infrastructure in the train and on the tracks and the stationary infrastructure in control centres and stations. This is Funkwerk’s area of expertise. The company develops and sells professional radio equipment for railways.
Communication, a key element for safe railway operation
In railway operations, communication between operational units plays a decisive role: Train radio is an essential component for safety and efficiency in rail transport. This operational communication can essentially be divided into two types. On the one hand, there is voice communication between the train driver and the dispatcher (or other operating authorities) and, on the other hand, data communication, as is used for the operation of ETCS, the electronic book timetable and the slow speed register (EBuLa).
The EU Commission’s initiative, the Green Deal, strengthens rail as a sustainable mode of transport and aims to increase the use of rail in both passenger and freight transport. This also means new requirements for technologies in voice and data radio.
Train radio systems forging
a path into the future
With the development of analogue train radio and its digital successor GSM-R – a digital radio system based on the international GSM standard and adapted for the railways – it was possible to supplement (or even replace) traditional communication methods such as the use of visual light and shape signals. Current new lines equipped with ETCS (European Train Control System) even manage without any optical signals at all, and are based on the transmission of travel information via radio. The basis for this is a secure and reliable communication system, as is available with GSM-R.
Funkwerk’s train radio systems are continuously adapted to the new requirements and standards. The increasing digitisation and automation, as well as the associated networking of the railway system, also increase the communication requirements and the bandwidth needed. What started with ERTMS (ETCS & GSM-R)
has continued its development to become Automatic Train Operation (ATO) with various degrees of automation (GoA1-4, Grade of Automation), right the way up to driverless driving.
The bandwidths and associated data rates provided today by GSM-R, therefore, no longer meet the requirements of a modern railway system designed to increase efficiency, reliability and safety in the foreseeable future. For this reason, Funkwerk is working together with other players in the rail sector on the definition and specification of the successor system Future Railway Communication System (FRMCS). FRMCS will be based on 5G radio access technology and, by separating the transmission system from the application, will set the course towards IP-based communication and future viability.
Cab-radios from Funkwerk are installed around the world in the driver’s cabs of trains and trams
focX-handhelds from Funkwerk are in use all around the world
Proven & reliable
Since 1982, Funkwerk has been developing and producing train radio technology that meets the requirements of modern universal radio systems in international rail transport. The company’s train radio systems are characterised by modularity and the operation of several radio standards. This allows the system to be used in a multi-modal way (2G/GSM-R, 4G, 5G).
The customer’s benefit is Funkwerk’s top priority – migration concepts secure their investments while operating new technologies. Funkwerk already has a suitable platform for FRMCS developments. Furthermore, the existing portfolio has been developed in such a way that it can continue to be used by customers and opens up correspondingly convenient migration paths that secure investment.
Applications of the Funkwerk Mobility Platform
Voice and
data radio
Train radio maintains an important role in railway operations. It ensures communication between the mobile infrastructure in the train and on the tracks, as well as the stationary infrastructure found in control centres and stations. This is Funkwerk’s speciality. The company develops and distributes professional radio equipment for railways.
Communication, a key element for safe railway operation
In railway operations, communication between operational units plays a decisive role: Train radio is an essential component for safety and efficiency in rail transport. This operational communication can essentially be divided into two types. On the one hand, there is voice communication between the train driver and the dispatcher (or other operating authorities) and, on the other hand, data communication, as is used for the operation of ETCS, the electronic book timetable and the slow speed register (EBuLa).
The EU Commission’s initiative – the Green Deal – strengthens rail as a sustainable mode of transport and aims to increase the use of rail in both passenger and freight transport. This also means new requirements for the technologies in voice and data radio.
Train radio systems forging a path into the future
With the development of analogue train radio and its digital successor GSM-R – a digital radio system based on the international GSM standard and adapted for the railways – it was possible to supplement (or even replace) traditional communication methods such as the use of visual light and shape signals. Current new lines equipped with ETCS (European Train Control System) even manage without any optical signals at all, and are based on the transmission of travel information via radio. The basis for this is a secure and reliable communication system, as is available with GSM-R.
Funkwerk’s train radio systems are continuously adapted to the new requirements and standards. The increasing digitisation and automation, as well as the associated networking of the railway system, also increase the communication requirements and the bandwidth needed. What started with ERTMS (ETCS & GSM-R) has continued its development to become Automatic Train Operation (ATO) with various degrees of automation (GoA1-4, Grade of Automation), right the way up to driverless driving.
The bandwidths and associated data rates provided today by GSM-R, therefore, no longer meet the requirements of a modern railway system designed to increase efficiency, reliability and safety in the foreseeable future. For this reason, Funkwerk is working together with other players in the rail sector on the definition and specification of the successor system Future Railway Communication System (FRMCS). FRMCS will be based on 5G radio access technology and, by separating the transmission system from the application, will set the course towards IP-based communication and future viability.
Cab-radios from Funkwerk are installed around the world in the driver’s cabs of trains and trams
focX-handhelds from Funkwerk are in use all around the world
Proven & reliable
Since 1982, Funkwerk has been developing and producing train radio technology that meets the requirements of modern universal radio systems in international rail transport. The company’s train radio systems are characterised by modularity and the operation of several radio standards. This allows the system to be used in a multi-modal way
(2G/GSM-R, 4G, 5G).
The customer’s benefit is Funkwerk’s top priority – migration concepts secure their investments while operating new technologies. Funkwerk already has a suitable platform for FRMCS developments. Furthermore, the existing portfolio has been developed in such a way that it can continue to be used by customers and opens up correspondingly convenient migration paths that secure investment.
Platform applications
Voice and
data radio
Train radio maintains an important role in railway operations. It ensures communication between the mobile infrastructure in the train and on the tracks, as well as the stationary infrastructure found in control centres and stations. This is Funkwerk’s speciality. The company develops and distributes professional radio equipment for railways.
Communication, a key element for safe railway operation
In railway operations, communication between operational units plays a decisive role: Train radio is an essential component for safety and efficiency in rail transport. This operational communication can essentially be divided into two types. On the one hand, there is voice communication between the train driver and the dispatcher (or other operating authorities) and, on the other hand, data communication, as is used for the operation of ETCS, the electronic book timetable and the slow speed register (EBuLa).
The EU Commission’s initiative – the Green Deal – strengthens rail as a sustainable mode of transport and aims to increase the use of rail in both passenger and freight transport. This also means new requirements for the technologies in voice and data radio.
Train radio systems forging a path into the future
With the development of analogue train radio and its digital successor GSM-R – a digital radio system based on the international GSM standard and adapted for the railways – it was possible to supplement (or even replace) traditional communication methods such as the use of visual light and shape signals.
European Train Control System
Current new lines equipped with ETCS (European Train Control System) even manage without any optical signals at all, and are based on the transmission of travel information via radio. The basis for this is a secure and reliable communication system, as is available with GSM-R.
New requirements and standards
Funkwerk’s train radio systems are continuously adapted to the new requirements and standards. The increasing digitisation and automation, as well as the associated networking of the railway system, also increase the communication requirements and the bandwidth needed. What started with ERTMS (ETCS & GSM-R) has continued its development to become Automatic Train Operation (ATO) with various degrees of automation (GoA1-4, Grade of Automation), right the way up to driverless driving.
Modern railway system
The bandwidths and associated data rates provided today by GSM-R, therefore, no longer meet the requirements of a modern railway system designed to increase efficiency, reliability and safety in the foreseeable future. For this reason, Funkwerk is working together with other players in the rail sector on the definition and specification of the successor system Future Railways Communication System (FRMCS). FRMCS will be based on 5G radio access technology and, by separating the transmission system from the application, will set the course towards IP-based communication and future viability.
Cab-radios from Funkwerk are installed around the world in the driver’s cabs of trains and trams
focX-handhelds from Funkwerk are in use all around the world
Proven & reliable
Since 1982, Funkwerk has been developing and producing train radio technology that meets the requirements of modern universal radio systems in international rail transport. The company’s train radio systems are characterised by modularity and the operation of several radio standards. This allows the system to be used in a multi-modal way
(2G/GSM-R, 4G, 5G).
The customer’s benefit is Funkwerk’s top priority – migration concepts secure their investments while operating new technologies. Funkwerk already has a suitable platform for FRMCS developments. Furthermore, the existing portfolio has been developed in such a way that it can continue to be used by customers and opens up correspondingly convenient migration paths that secure investment.