A Study on the Implementation of an All-IP Train Communication Network Using Plastic Optical Fiber

Abstract

Recent trains have broadband train communication networks to improve train operation safety and to provide passengers with multimedia services. Compared to glass optical fiber, plastic optical fiber (POF) has a large diameter; it also provides the good durability and maintainability necessary to railway applications. This paper suggests an All-IP broadband train communication network that connects all devices in the train through a POF interface. Performance tests according to Korean railroad standards shows that this POF interface is usable in the range of vibration and temperature conditions encountered in trains. A dedicated Layer-2 switch with the POF interface is developed for the construction of the All-IP train communication network. A prototype 1Gbps train communication network was set up in a trial-run of train on a metro line using the developed Layer-2 switch and POF. On-track tests indicated the feasibility of the POF train communication network. POF has an additional advantage of economic feasibility, and it is expected to start a trend toward broadband train communication networks using POF.