Advanced low power wireless node
In railways, trackside cabling between signalling facilities and trackside sensors is a major element in the cost structure of level crossing systems. A proper solution to this problem is to use wireless communication to transmit safety-relevant data combined with autonomous powered outdoor-units. Project ALPHORN aimed at the design, implementation and evaluation of a wireless solution that integrates the following components: Power-management-module to autonomously supply the components; a novel, low-power wheel sensor-technology and a communication module for secure and safe transmission to enable SIL4.
The integration of a complete setup for field-test was established in the project. The results show the general feasibility and significant savings for the construction of level crossing protection systems as a product in the future. Transmission delays, reliability reduction and energy consumption are the negative aspects of the findings.
Funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of VIF 2015.
