ERA Technology and QinetiQ Rail have recently installed the first ‘G2’ low-profile Ku-band satellite communications antenna onto a UK train. The antenna incorporates ERA’s revolutionary scanning technology, which provides satcoms ‘on-the-move’ without the cost of more expensive phased array solutions.

The UK rail network has the most stringent height constraints in the world, due to its Victorian infrastructure. With a maximum height of only 85mm, ‘G2’ can be installed without the need to make expensive and irreversible modifications to the rolling stock. It is also suitable for European and world-wide requirements for double-deck trains, where similar height constraints apply.

The antenna has been jointly developed by ERA Technology and its sister company TracStar Systems, based in Orlando, Florida. ERA has undertaken the complete electrical and mechanical design, while TracStar has provided the tracking system. The work has been supported by the European Space Agency and by QinetiQ Rail, who have been granted preferential rights to use the antenna in specific markets.

t The ‘G2’ antenna is installed on a Virgin Voyager train at the Central Rivers depot near Burton-on-Trent. The antenna will be undergoing technical trials over the next few months u

The antenna has been subjected to an extensive environmental and EMC qualification process and has been granted a Certificate of Conformance for Vehicle Design, in accordance with the UK Railway Group Standard GM/RT2001. The antenna will form part of a bi-directional communications system which can provide up to 34Mbps data rate to passengers on their journeys between the South Coast of the UK and Scotland. Rail operators themselves can also use the system, for example to transfer live CCTV footage.

Initially, the satcom antenna will provide high-speed data from the satellite to the train. Data from the train will be sent via GPRS or Wi-Max terrestrial networks, which will also provide data down to the train when the satellite link is blocked, for example by buildings or tunnels. ERA is currently working on a ‘transmit’ version of the antenna, which will be installed
adjacent to the receiving antenna, allowing two way ‘on-the-move’ communications via satellite.

The ‘G2’ antenna is now installed on a Virgin Voyager train and will be undergoing a series of technical trials travelling throughout the UK over the next few months.

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About ERA Technology
ERA Technology works at the leading edge of many advanced technologies. The business was founded in 1920 and today provides specialist, high value-added, technology-based services including design and development, testing, assessment and expert advice.

The company has built an international reputation for technical expertise through constant innovation at the leading edge of technology. ERA's services reduce technical and commercial risk, improve the operational performance of engineering infrastructure assets, and enhance the competitiveness of products and systems.

ERA Technology is a Cobham plc company.