21.05.2024 PT solution brief: FTS 3020 BIC

FTS 3020 - Bearer Independent Communication (BIC)

Flexible and secure operational rail communication services via public mobile networks

Public Transport

Focusing on operational communications rather than infrastructure boundaries

GSM-R networks ensure seamless communication for trains, adhering to rigorous European standards for full interoperability. While vital for railway companies, standardized and interpretable communication systems according to EIRENE are not required for regional and connecting rail operations and railway staff communication. Nonetheless, the relevant railway companies (railway traffic and infrastructure companies) still require the same or similar operational processes and communication services.

Rail lines without	Train driver mobility	Controller mobility
GSM-R

GSM-RGSM-R

Rail depots		Train staff		Station & Service

GSM-R fallback		Emergency		Maintenance worker
		coordinator		out of out
		out of GSM-R		of GSM-R
		coverage		coverage

Goodbye complexity, hello efficiency: FTS 3020 - BIC modernises your rail communication

FTS 3020 - BIC serves as a cost-effective complement or alternative to outdated analogue and digital radio technologies, as well as GSM-R, particularly suitable for regional and connecting lines. It provides flexible

and secure operational communication for all railway staff, optimising efficiency and reliability across various roles, from train drivers to station controllers and depot personnel.

2	FTS 3020 - BIC

FTS 3020 - BIC performance features at a glance

The concept is based on providing a modern, mission-critical communication solution without having to set up and maintain a dedicated radio infrastructure. The different generations

of the public mobile network available along the route (3G HSPA, 4G/LTE or 5G) are used to provide the following railway-specific communication services, leaning on EIRENE:

Supplements GSM-R		Emulates the		Location-based		Functional
(Closes the gap to MCX/		EIRENE functions		addressing		addressing
FRMCS)		"Over-the-top" solution in		(Based on GPS location		(Based on functional roles)
		3G/4G/5G mobile networks		information)
Group call service		Railway emergency call		Point-to-point calls		Point-to-point
(Geographic group calls based		(Group call with highest priority)		(Based on functional		messages
on a conference call)				addressing)		(Text messages based on
						functional addressing)
Can be registered		Use of commercially		Intuitive user interface		Uniform call processing
as CT2, CT6 and CT7		available smartphones		interface (Follows the		for dispatchers
phone number		(Android)		principles of GSM-R devices)		(No different processing
						between GSM-R and BIC
						participants)

The architecture of an easy-to-integrate solution

The FTS 3020 - BIC architecture includes the BIC service, which is part of the standard FTS 3020 GSM-R operational communication solution extended to work only with public networks or in a mixed configuration with GSM-R. It also includes the BIC dispatcher terminal, representing the stationary working positions for the controller to communicate with train and maintenance staff. The last element is the BIC Mobile App representing the HMI for all mobile users on any Android smartphone to use the rail specific functions.

Route network		Mobile operating		Transmission		Railway-specific		Transmission		Operations centres,
		personnel		network		communication		network		stations
						services
Regional and		Train drivers,		Public mobile		FTS 3020		IT infrastructure		Traffic controllers,
connecting lines		shunting drivers,		telecommunications		operational		(customer WAN/LAN		dispatchers,
		railway staff		system		communication		or public IT network)		deployment
		in depots and		(3G HSP A/4G/5G)		solution				management
		service areas
		BIC Mobile App				BIC Service				BIC fixed terminal

Local server solution or "software as a service"

DICORA S20/A20 workstation

FTS 3020 - BIC

3

DICORA S20

Integrating the solution

Frequentis offers the BIC communication solution as a local server solution in the customer's own IT infrastructure. If you do not want to

be concerned with the infrastructure, the solution can optionally be provided in hosted software-as-a service form. Commercially

available smartphones with the Frequentis BIC mobile application serve as end devices for mobile users and provide the access point to the railway-specific communication services. Intuitive navigation, combined with user-guided features and preprogrammed speed dial functions, grant users easy access to these services.

Users in the control centre communicate using the Frequentis DICORA workstation with a touch-based and flexible user interface. Frequentis offers two type of terminals: the DICORA A20 and DICORA S20, which differ in their audio equipment.

Due to the "over-the-top" approach, the solution does not require any enhancements or specific adjustments in the mobile network and can therefore be integrated very quickly and without additional costs for the

radio infrastructure. Through this approach, the FTS 3020 - BIC closes the functional communication gap that exists for railway infrastructure companies until the introduction of the standardised Future Railway Communication System (FRMCS).

Since the BIC functionality is a purely software-based application, it can be upgraded to a FRMCS/MCX- compliant implementation at any time via a software upgrade.

Cost-effective solution without compromise

Use of existing public mobile networks and existing smartphones

Extended coverage for corporate communication

Use of railway-specific services without having to set up specific radio infrastructure

Effective operations with functional phone numbers

The role of an employee during a shift is in the foreground, not a personal phone number

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