220 MHz Solutions Guide - Tunnel Radio MHz Solutions Guide With Remote and Direct to Tunnel...

220 MHz Solutions Guide

With Remote and Direct to Tunnel Configurations

Tunnel Radio of America™

Phone: 541.758.5637

Fax: 541.758.1417 TunnelRadio.com

3-10-2014

TUNNEL RADIO OF AMERICA Corvallis, Oregon 97330 220 MHz Solutions Guide

© 2014 All rights reserved Revision 1.0 Page 1

Table of Contents

220 MHz Solutions Guide

Tunnel Link Solutions Pg 3

Tunnel Link Components Pg 6

TMS Diagnostics Operation Pg 7

Specifications Pg 9

OFA System Overview Pg 10

OFA Specifications Pg 15



Disclaimer

The initials PTC, as referenced in this document, refer to Positive Train Control, a system of functional requirements for monitoring and controlling train movements.



Tunnel Link™ Solutions

220 MHz Positive Train Control

In railroad, staying connected is everything. Tunnel Link™ for Positive Train Control extends the 220 MHz

signal through any length of tunnel or mountain pass, meaning you never lose sight—or control—of

your trains. This network of digital amplifiers and cable eliminates dead spots and increases radio signal

ranges, ensuring essential rail communications are uninterrupted over the long haul.

Features and Benefits

Continuous data communication—regardless of length

Advanced amplifier technology w/diagnostics

Rugged components designed to withstand the harsh rail environment

Virtually eliminates dead spots

Extends radio signals for 220 MHz Positive Train Control

Requires only one Base per network

External LEDs on the equipment provide easy monitoring

Works with TMS, our tunnel monitoring diagnostic system

WWW network ready visibility

Used by all major railways throughout North and South America

Tunnel Radio has been an industry leader for more than 25 years providing cutting edge RF technology

and engineering services to major railways throughout the world. We provide solutions for virtually any

environment and diagnostics systems to keep you continuously in touch with each tunnel.

There are two typical scenarios for extending signals in tunnel environments. The first is when the

power source can be directly connected at the tunnel opening. The second is when the power is

inconvenient or unable to be connected directly at the site. Tunnel Radio provides solutions for both of

these scenarios with our standard Tunnel Link System and our OFA Remote System. We pride ourselves

in providing custom engineering solutions for any situation.



Overview

Tunnel Link™ System Description

Below is conceptual drawing of a typical Tunnel Link TM PTC System. This system provides a radio link for

Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. The Tunnel Link TM System employs a distributed antenna system,

consisting of radiating coaxial cable and digital amplifiers that provide signal extension

The Tunnel Link TM system’s unique design handles high-speed asynchronous data in simplex mode at

very low distortion figures, suitable for use with FSK or phase shift complex modulation schemes used in

today's modern digital communications.

With this design, expensive and costly multiplex equipment is not required. The amplifier is ruggedized

and component count is low. A diagnostic system complements the system providing operational

visibility to amplifier resolution and is network compatible.

As shown in Figure 1, the main system components are the PTC transceiver, the Head End Unit, the TRL-

220L amplifiers, the radiating coaxial cable, and the associated surface antennas.

The TR-TMS-Net option on the Head End Unit also provides for remote off-site monitoring of the Tunnel

Link TM System via the internet

Figure 1. Typical Tunnel Link System with Base Adjacent to Tunnel Opening



Tunnel LinkTM General System Operation

The Tunnel Link System is powered by single phase 120VAC with battery back-up, or by an appropriate

Un-interrupted Power Supply (UPS). The individual TRL-220L amplifiers are powered through the single

radiating cable by a DC bias voltage of 28 VDC. The head end unit acts as an interface between the

distributed antenna system in the tunnel and the PTC base transceiver.

The optional Tunnel Monitoring System (TMS) may be installed to monitor the health of the system.

This option is also network compatible. The TMS system will be discussed in subsequent sections.

A block diagram of the Tunnel Link System, including the main base station and tunnel components, is

shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Typical Tunnel Link System Block Diagram



Tunnel Link Components

TR-IFU2-220-RR-28V

The TR-IFU2-220-RR-28V Tunnel Link TM Head End is intended for use in Positive Train Control (PTC)

systems. In addition to the head board which serves as the interface between the distributed antenna

system and the PTC transceiver, this head end contains the Agile Tunnel Monitoring System (TMS) head

board with RJ-45 network cable.

TRL-220L Amplifier

Figure 4 shows an external view of the TRL-220L amplifier. The TRL-220L amplifier maintains both uplink

and downlink PTC RF signal levels throughout the distributed antenna system in the tunnel.

Figure 3. Tunnel Link for PTC Head Unit

Figure 4: TRL-220L Amplifier



TMS-Tunnel Monitoring System Operation Description

TMS head card in the TR-IFU2-220-RR-28V head end. In addition, to prevent interference with PTC signals, the remote devices are smart and check for PTC base/mobile to prevent interference. TMS tail cards report with the following information:

Power supply voltage of the amplifier.

RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) level.

Alarm status of the system.

RF power level of amplifier unit

Figure 5. TMS Diagnostic Display as shown on the Exciter Unit

TR-TMS-Net, Remote Off-Site Monitoring

TR-TMS-Net provides Network Web/LAN capable viewing of the radio network and provides access to

the TMS data presented on the head end display via a computer connected either locally or remotely via

the LAN connection provided (local home page). Having the ability to view and manipulate the

communication system locally (connected directly) and/or remotely (Internet web based connection)

provides many advantages to the customer. This capability provides for monitoring the system status to

diagnose faults/events to provide for expedient network repairs should problems arise.



Some of the Agile TR-TMS-Net features available for users are as follows:

Provides system wide indication of amplifier status.

Provides the same data that is displayed on the head end unit, while additionally allowing for

local (laptop) or remote (IP) monitoring and control of the network.

Provides the capability to generate a summary report on the status of all monitored devices.

This report allows the user to spot variances so potential problems can be anticipated, and thus

avoided.

Summary dry contact alarm

The following system information is reported from the TMS system via the TR-TMS-Net option:

Power supply voltage of the amplifier.

Power output of the amplifier.

Uplink RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) levels.

Alarm status of the system.

Need Cloud



Head Unit Specifications

Power Requirements 28 VDC @ 4 amp

PTC Transceiver I/O Type “N”

RF Input 2-5 W (+33 dBm to +37 dBm)

RF Output Power to Tunnel Amplifier Chain Maintain quality in-tunnel signal

External RF port for in tunnel amplifier chain - block

and clamp termination

1

Amplifier Specifications

RF Output, Tx +

Frequency Range 219-223 MHz

Power Requirements +11 to +28 VDC @ 250 mA, max

Max RF Input dBm transmit path

RF Gain 10-30 dB, depending on configuration

TX Path Gain Adjustable 25 dB

RX Path Gain Independently Adjustable 25 dB



OFA System Overview Tunnels often present radio coverage problem for railroads. Longer tunnels require a dedicated system

such as the Tunnel LinkTM system to assist PTC (Positive Train Control) repeater operations. The OFA (On

Frequency Amplifier) system may be used directly connected to a base station to extend coverage into

tunnels where it's not practical to install a base station infrastructure.

Intermediate and small tunnels may also require the same coverage and expense, hence the Tunnel

Radio OFA System to fill the gap between.

In this manner, one on-frequency TR-OFA-220D amplifier will be required per tunnel site to amplify the

signal generated by existing radio communication facilities bi-directionally back to the PTC Base

network. The OFA is operational with the Meteorcomm or General Electric PTC solutions® base station

using a TR-220-EX. This unit is used to send a digital signal for use with the OFA remote unit transmitter.

In applications where the capability to remotely monitor the status of the TR-OFA-220D and any Tunnel

LinkTM amplifiers is desired, a Tunnel Radio TMS (Tunnel Monitoring System) module may be installed in

the TR-OFA-220D and/or the Tunnel LinkTM amplifiers.



TR-OFA-220D System Applications

Typical system use with TR-220-EX Exciter Connected to a MCC base station (LH) and a TR-OFA-220D feeding a

remote tunnel network.

Figure 6. Typical System



TR-OFA-220D System Applications

Multiple OFA units may be activated with a single base if they are line-of site, path test and engineering needs to

check site by site. Figure 7 shows a longer tunnel that needs multiple amplifiers with TMS.

Figure 7. Long Tunnel OFA System



TR-OFA-220D Description

Figure 8: TR-OFA-220D Amplifier

Figure 8. TR-OFA-220D Amplifier

The TR-OFA-220D is a bi-directional amplifier designed for half-duplex or simplex operation. It has two antenna

connections and one DC power connection. One antenna points to the base site and one to the area needing

coverage.



Exciter Description

Figure 9. TR-220-EX Exciter Head End Unit

The TR-220-EX exciter is designed for installation at the site of the PTC base station.

The TR-220-EX exciter digitizes signals necessary to operate with the TR-OFA-220D(s) with the donor Base/repeater. This unit has connections to the base radio for RF and DC power.

Basic OFA Installation



OFA Specifications

OFA Amplifier Specifications

Bandwidth, Rx, Tx 219-233 MHz

Gain, Rx, Tx 85 dB

Operational Range 4.8 miles with 1/8 mile visibility

Dimensions / Weight-OFA Amplifier 18”W x 20”H x 8”D / 35 lbs

Demonstrated standard configuration range w/MCC

radios in BER mode-OFA Amplifier

4.8 miles line of sight demonstrated

Remote Diagnostics Tunnel Monitoring System (TMS), uplink option

System end visibility capable

Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) with p/4 DQPSK

modulation EVM = 0.5%, Rx

2%

Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) with p/4 DQPSK

modulation EVM = 0.5%, Tx

2%

Impedance 50 Ω

DC power, R 12-15VDC VDC Solar power options

500 mA equipped with TMS Monitoring

Network Compatible TMS-NET Monitoring option board in in TR-OFA-

220-EX amplifier



OFA Exciter Unit Specifications

Dimensions / Weight 18”W x 6”H x 16”D / 36 lbs

Power Requirements

Antenna Connections

12 VDC @ 3 Amps/120 VAC power

Type "N"

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