Wireless Compatible Digital Train Line (WiDTL) for Passenger Type Vehicles in a Train Consist

The Next Generation Equipment Committee (NGEC) developed a standard for specifying the use of an Ethernet based digital train line (DTL) network to replace the COMM line for passenger trains. These specifications are PRIIA 305‐919 Digital Train Line Hardware and PRIIA 305‐920 Digital Train Line Software. The intent Is to eventually allow for the improvement of passenger train control. DTL specifies a need for a wireless DTL (WiDTL) network to be used as a redundancy or backup in the event an inter‐car jumper connection fails. Constructing a working DTL system is beneficial for developing a WiDTL specification. Because PRIIA specifications require the use of commercially available networking equipment, equipment from three vendors will be utilized for both DTL and WiDTL systems to ensure interchangeability. This testing will be performed in a laboratory environment. Once confidence in the performance of the system is high enough, SA recommends that Phase IIB, if requested, begin with testing moved to an environment that more closely resembles an operating passenger train. Only in this environment can certain parameters be measured, such as the extent of the reach of the wireless signal, which is important to quantify as it directly affects the security of the system.