Westermo has introduced two LTE routers to its Ibex range of wireless solutions for reliable and secure data communications within rail applications. The Ibex-RT-330 and Ibex-RT-630 are compact LTE routers developed to meet the growing demand for continuous coverage on board trains, and support applications such as data offloading between stations, monitoring and remote maintenance access.
The LTE routers ensure reliable, continuous, high-speed remote access data communications in extreme operational environments, connecting the moving train with the signalling control centre over a mobile network.
The Ibex-RT-330 is a mobile LTE router offering high bandwidth to support multiple applications, such as data offloading and remote monitoring. The Ibex-RT-630 is a mobile LTE and WLAN router/gateway, which offers outstanding performance and rugged internet connectivity back-up to enable hybrid train-to-ground installations with a single device. Both routers support hardware offloaded VPN, for high-performance capabilities.
The routers support LTE CAT12, which provides ultra-high data throughput and aggregation of carrier frequencies to serve the most bandwidth-demanding applications worldwide. Multiband GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) support enables the use of multiple frequencies for extremely high accuracy positioning and deployment worldwide.
The routers have EN 50155 approval for onboard applications and are designed to withstand the challenging environments and demands of rail applications, including constant vibration, extreme temperatures and humidity. The devices are IP66-rated for prevention of water and dust ingress and have an operating range of -40°C to 70°C. High-level isolation between all interfaces protects against overvoltage and flashover. These features increase reliability and extend the mean time between failure.
A compact design enables quick and easy installation into the tight spaces of trains, while configuration and unit replacement is simplified by a SIM card memory for configuration parameters. Dual SIM ability allows for further performance optimisation. A unique SIM card tray makes SIM handling in the field effortless.
The Ibex product family, which includes wireless access points, clients and bridges, has been developed for rail applications such as train-to-ground systems, wireless inter-carriage links, WLAN solutions for public onboard wi-fi, remote access and vehicle positioning. Together with Westermo’s extensive range of Ethernet devices, this forms the world’s most complete data communications portfolio for the rail industry.
In addition to rail applications, the products are ideally suited for deployment in applications with severe operating conditions and tough environments, such as traffic systems, mining, maritime and factory automation.