Passengers and rail staff using Deutsche Bahn (DB)’s fleet of ICE trains will benefit from enhanced mobile data communication, as a result of a complete, turn-key system solution commissioned from HUBER+SUHNER and McLaren Applied.
The project will involve the retrofitting of DB’s existing ICE fleet, while providing new equipment for new ICE trains essential for the company’s fleet expansion plans. Part of the solution provided within the contract includes the award-winning HUBER+SUHNER SENCITY Rail ACTIVE rooftop antenna, developed in partnership with McLaren Applied, as well as the latter’s innovative Fleet Connect software.
“We are delighted to have been chosen to support DB in what will be a pivotal project for the company” said Dr. Michael Styger, Senior Vice President Strategy and Business Development Railway at HUBER+SUHNER. “The increasing demand for excellent passenger services - be it web browsing, video and music streaming, voice and video calling or more – means modern rail services must use new connectivity systems that offer optimal availability, stability, speed and latency. The system solution we are providing as part of the project, including the SENCITY® Rail ACTIVE antenna, will be crucial in delivering the connectivity required to support these applications.”
The connectivity system consists of two subsystems: the train-to-ground communication which includes monitoring, reporting, Passenger Information, and ticketing control, and the internal WLAN which will stablish a connection between the vehicles and the Internet, supporting a range of applications such as video streaming, online work connectivity, and internet surfing.
The SENCITY Rail ACTIVE Rooftop antenna simplifies deployment of train-to-ground systems without the need for RF cabling, replacing them with just a single ethernet cable (with PoE). The removal of these cables reduces RF losses, improving both the signal strength to the train and the on-board connectivity capability. The active antenna also ensures a standard router within the train is no longer required, resulting in more reliable communication and crucial space, money, and weight savings during installation.
The project will also leverage McLaren Applied’s patented Fleet Connect software, which intelligently combines mobile network links to reduce the chances of connectivity issues, providing the most seamless customer experience.
Pablo Garcia, Director, Connected Intelligence, at McLaren Applied said: “The partnership with Deutsche Bahn marks a significant milestone in the evolution of transportation connectivity. Our Formula 1 derived software, known for its innovative optimisation approach, will now revolutionise long-distance trains in Germany, together with cutting-edge 5G connectivity. This collaboration not only highlights the power of technological synergy between motorsport and railway industries but also underscores our commitment to shaping the future of transportation across Europe. Together with Deutsche Bahn, we are pioneering a new era of efficiency, reliability, and passenger experience in rail travel.”
Combining the SENCITY Rail ACTIVE rooftop antenna with Fleet Connect ensures less dropouts and provides a distributed gateway system that eliminates single points of failure on a train. Existing deployments of this combination of solutions demonstrated upload and download speeds several times faster than traditional system.
