On October 7, 2022, a symbolic launch of the 80-91 005 ČD train, equipped with mobile signal repeater technology, took place at the main railway station in Prague. It is reported by Railway Supply magazine with reference to Railvolution.

RailJet

The repeater is able to transmit the signal of mobile operators to the train and possibly amplify the signal output power. The amplification rate is dynamically adjusted according to the current coverage. The goal is to eliminate disruptions to passenger data and mobile calling services caused by railcar design that weakens signal propagation. One repeater can provide signal coverage for up to four adjacent cars, so in the case of a seven-car train, two repeaters are used, located symmetrically in the second class cars in the third and fifth cars.

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The technical parameters of the repeaters must be optimized for each vehicle in order to avoid unwanted interference in the external environment, and the installation requires an individual technical solution for each type of vehicle and a separate approval of the Czech Railways Authority.

The new technology supports a wide range of frequencies used by mobile operators in the Czech Republic and abroad, and not just on the currently deployed 5G frequencies. The complex solution consists of:
– an external broadband antenna (700 – 5,000 MHz) supporting the transmission of GPS information,
– the repeater itself, which will operate in the 800, 900, 1,800, 2,100 and 2,600 MHz frequency bands during the test period,
– an attenuation filter to ensure the smooth operation of the GSM-R (and therefore also ETCS),
– the internal infrastructure on board the train to ensure signal distribution.

The pilot train uses the so-called radiant cable technology. However, the solution in question also allows the use of internal antennas, which is particularly suitable for trains and trainsets whose internal equipment or materials do not allow signal distribution using a radiating cable. Railjet 80-91 005 was deployed on the Ex3 Prague – Brno – Breclav – Vienna – Graz line.

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