US-based PCTEL has launched its new 5 GHz bi-directional train top antenna that provides Wi-Fi services to passenger and metro rail systems.
The new bi-directional antenna is able to connect with wayside equipment in any direction to provide Wi-Fi services to customers on-board.
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PCTEL Connected Solutions group senior vice-president and general manager Rishi Bharadwaj said: “In developing our new train top antenna, PCTEL engineers worked closely with our customers in the rail industry.
“The result is a reliable, cost-effective antenna solution to the challenge of providing high-speed Wi-Fi over extended track distances.
“PCTEL also provides antenna farm design services to maximise the performance of multiple antenna systems on crowded train tops.”
The train top antenna has been optimised to deliver high performance in high-vibration environments and is compliant with both EN50155 and AAR certification requirements for use in Europe and North America.
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By GlobalDataIt has also been designed for metallic or non-metallic roof mounting on train tops.
Additionally, the antenna's port-to-port performance correlation and symmetrical patterns are able to minimise interference between signals and increase data throughput performance.
PCTEL is currently exhibiting the new bi-directional unit alongside its other rail antenna solutions at the 57th Annual RSSI C&S Exhibition in Indianapolis, US.
The technology is scheduled to be available for shipment to rail operators from December.
PCTEL’s Connected Solutions branch designs and manufactures precision antennas for installation in small cells, enterprise Wi-Fi access points, fleet management and transit systems.
