Classification of Transient EM Noises Depending on their Effect on the Quality of GSM-R Reception

The Global System for Mobile communications— Railways (GSM-R) is being deployed in different countries to develop an efficient communication-based train control (CBTC) system. GSM-R participates to achieve railways interoperability, replacing noninteroperable CBTC on existing networks and, thus, facilitating cross-border train circulations. GSM-R ensures voice and data transmissions between trains and control centers and also between trains. As any radio equipment, it is subject to electro- magnetic (EM) disturbances present in the railway environment. Therefore, the quality of GSM-R transmissions can deteriorate. It is then important to evaluate and predict the effect of these dis- turbances in order to avoid any loss of train operational capacity. After an overview of the methods used for the characterization of the EM environment, we describe the GSM-R and the EM distur- bances that can affect its operation. The reasons why the existing characterization methods are not fully adapted to the GSM-R are highlighted. The general principle of classification is briefly re- called. The rest of this paper develops the methodology proposed to perform the classification of transient EM noises and the pre- sentation of a test bench and its associated experimental results. Finally, an application to an add-on electromagnetic compatibility supervising equipment installed on board the train is described.