Wireless Communication Emulator Device and Methodology for the ETCS BTM Subsystem

Currently European Train Control System ETCS rollout is a major concern for train manufacturers and railway infrastructure managers. But available laboratory certification procedures do not completely address all the needs of the system, which leads to long and expensive field-testing. This research work proposes a new tool that reduces the required on-site testing amount. The BTM Wireless Communication Emulator WCE reproduces the potential interferers that can be found in the air-gap of the BTM wireless communication channel. That way, the laboratory testing procedures can emulate the behavior of the wireless channel in a more realistic way. The identification of the potential interferers to be included in the emulator has been done first, and the design and implementation has been carried out afterwards. Finally, the testing and validation of the tool has been completed.