Kaelus Launches Rail Cab Filter to Support Public Mobile Networks

Filters mitigate the blocking of GSM-R signals by public mobile networks

EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kaelus, a Smiths Interconnect business, announces the availability of a high-performance filter product for GSM-R applications. As an industry leader in low-PIM solutions, Kaelus’ experience and understanding of the radio environment enables it to excel by developing technically differentiated offerings that improve network performance.

The new GSM-R product developed by Kaelus solves the potential problem of public mobile signals interfering with rail communications and traffic management systems.

As part of creating a single Europe-wide standard for railway signalling, the European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS) initiative was created. One of the main components of ERTMS is GSM-R, a secure wireless communications technology developed specifically for railway communications and applications. GSM-R is the technology used to communicate voice and data to the train driver.

The GSM-R radio spectrum is adjacent to and therefore susceptible to interference from public mobile networks in the 900MHz spectrum. Kaelus has been working with key contributors to a European International Union of Railways (UIC) working group investigating the effects. The UIC has reported that at least 15 rail network providers have identified levels of interference and areas of complete signal blocking due to public mobile phone networks. With public network operators being restricted in their signal power levels in the spectrum closest to GSM-R, the interference problem is expected to increase with the deployment of high data rate broad spectrum 3G and 4G infrastructure in the same 900MHz Spectrum.

To attenuate the public blocking signals, Kaelus has developed a high-performance Cab Radio dual duplexer filter using leading-edge ceramic technologies which provide a high level of rejection of the public mobile signals. An additional switching feature can be supplied to allow the product to be by-passed when roaming to the public mobile network if desired in less congested network areas.

The Kaelus product has been trialed by several rail operators and is available. For more information, Download the Datasheet.

About Kaelus

Kaelus www.kaelus.com, a Smiths Interconnect business formed by consolidating a number of previously independent Smiths brands, which designs and manufactures a wide range of innovative RF and microwave solutions for the wireless telecommunications sector. Products include specialized filters and other products for conditioning RF signals. Kaelus’ experience and understanding of the RF environment enables it to excel by developing technically differentiated offerings that improve network performance.

About Smiths Interconnect

Smiths Interconnect www.smithsinterconnect.com is a leader in technically differentiated electronic and radio frequency products that connect, protect and control critical systems for the wireless telecommunications, aerospace, defense, space, medical, rail, test and industrial markets. It is part of Smiths Group www.smiths.com, a global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components. Smiths Group employs around 23,000 people in more than 50 countries.