#Japan #Tokyo #JR East #HC Networks #IEEE 802.11ah

Joint Testing of IEEE 802.11ah Communications Technology

Introduction
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and HC Networks Inc. have recently conducted a collaborative test to explore the potential of using IEEE 802.11ah communication technology for sensor data collection in railway environments. This endeavor aims to gather data essential for the practical implementation of smart railway infrastructure.

Background

In today’s railway sector, there is a growing demand for enhanced efficiency in maintenance management through remote monitoring and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM). Although various sensors have been developed across different railway systems, many rely heavily on LTE communications for data transmission. This dependency often leads to high costs associated with communication and sensor technology, making cost-effectiveness a significant challenge. To address this, JR East, through its research and development center, partnered with HC Networks to explore methods for establishing a shared communication infrastructure that can effectively collect sensor data across all systems.

Overview of the Testing

In the testing phase, the team adopted the IEEE 802.11ah technology as the wireless infrastructure to evaluate the communication performance across two different railway lines.

Data Collection from Fixed Base Stations

The method of collecting data from railway-side base stations was executed on the Nikko Line.

Data Collection from Moving Trains

For the data collection from moving trains, a test train known as the 'MUE-Train' was utilized on the Kawagoe Line.

Additional equipment included access points created by Furuno Systems that operate in the 920 MHz band. The antennas used were a standard antenna with a gain of 1dBi, a patch antenna with an 8dBi gain designed for wide-area communication, and a collinear antenna with a gain of 5dBi. The configuration for transmission power was adjusted in accordance with legal regulations throughout the testing process.

Connection Tests

During inter-base station connection tests, the patch antenna demonstrated a maximum communication connection of 865 meters. In clear visibility conditions, both the patch and collinear antennas showed high levels of receiving sensitivity. Although a decrease in receiving sensitivity was noted during long-distance connections or where obstacles were present in transmission paths, useful practical data for future installation plans and antenna configurations was successfully collected.

In tests involving the moving train, a distance of 615 meters was achieved for communication connections in clear visibility conditions. The train maintained a speed of 48 km/h during the connection, with a maximum speed of 91 km/h while maintaining the connection, providing crucial data regarding connection capabilities under real-world conditions.

Future Directions

The results obtained from this testing will be utilized to promote additional testing and system proposals aimed at expanding the application of IEEE 802.11ah communication technology within railway environments and urban infrastructure. The use of high-gain antennas and area optimization will foster the construction of efficient IoT infrastructure that contributes to a smarter society.

About HC Networks Inc.

Founded in 1981, HC Networks is dedicated to challenging the potentials of IT and shaping the future through its integrated IT infrastructure services. With over four decades of experience and technical expertise, the company offers unique values in servers, networking, security, cloud services, virtualization, work style innovation, and operational services. By blending the strengths of both system integrators and manufacturers, HC Networks aims to create a prosperous and sustainable society. The company also emphasizes a well-being focused management approach, nurturing a work environment where every employee takes pride in their contributions.

For more details: HC Networks Official Website

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