Train-to-Train Short Range Communication and Relative Localization based on IEEE802.15.4

Abstract

The advancement of autonomous rail operations, particularly in the context of virtually coupled train set (VCTS) and self driving freight wagon (SDFW), demands reliable, realtime, and infrastructure-independent communication and localization between rail vehicles. Current solutions often rely on fixed infrastructure or technologies with limited accuracy and resilience. This poses a critical challenge in achieving the high levels of safety, availability, and precision required for decentralized train coordination. This work addresses the challenge by evaluating a train-to-train (T2T) communication system based on IEEE 802.15.4 in real-world railway settings. A comparative assessment of omni-directional and directional antenna configurations was conducted to evaluate their impact on system performance. The results demonstrate that T2T short-range communication (SRC) and relative localization (RL) enables reliable high throughput data exchange and accurate radio-based ranging in the test range between 0 and 250 m. Directional antennas significantly enhance signal stability by mitigating interference, while omni-directional configurations maintained sufficient performance for operational use. The system proved resilience to environmental challenges, supporting safe and scalable coordination of rail vehicles in dynamic scenarios. These achievements validate the feasibility of a decentralized communication and localization framework, paving the way for autonomous trains, VCTSs and SDFWs.