Test of IEEE802.15.4 for Train-to-Train Short Range Communication and Relative Localization

Kurzfassung

In railway transportation innovative operational solutions will rely on wireless communiations. Reliability and low latency are key for self-driving freight wagons and virtually coupled train sets (VCTS). These requirements can be fulfilled by direct train-to-train communciation between the units. Up to 250 m communication range, we talk about short-range communication (SRC). For this distances, communiation standards with high bandwidth can be used to exchange data reliable and estimate the distance between the units at the same time. This joint communication and relative localization (RL) estimation approach is tested with IEEE 802.15.4 ultra-wideband communication units in railway environments. Two trains are driving as VCTS and exchanging data on the wireless communication link. With this tests we collect data to evaluate the potential of broadband wireless systems like IEEE 802.15.4 for SRC and RL in innovative operational soluations.