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Enhanced Communication Network Solution for Positive Train Control ImplementationThe commuter and freight railroad industry is required to implement Positive Train Control (PTC) by 2015 (2012 for Metrolink), a challenging network communications problem. This paper will discuss present technologies developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to overcome comparable communication challenges encountered in deep space mission operations. PTC will be based on a new cellular wireless packet Internet Protocol (IP) network. However, ensuring reliability in such a network is difficult due to the "dead zones" and transient disruptions we commonly experience when we lose calls in commercial cellular networks. These disruptions make it difficult to meet PTC s stringent reliability (99.999%) and safety requirements, deployment deadlines, and budget. This paper proposes innovative solutions based on space-proven technologies that would help meet these challenges: (1) Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) technology, designed for use in resource-constrained, embedded systems and currently in use on the International Space Station, enables reliable communication over networks in which timely data acknowledgments might not be possible due to transient link outages. (2) Policy-Based Management (PBM) provides dynamic management capabilities, allowing vital data to be exchanged selectively (with priority) by utilizing alternative communication resources. The resulting network may help railroads implement PTC faster, cheaper, and more reliably.
Document ID
20120009710
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Fatehi, M. T.
(Booz-Allen and Hamilton, Inc. Irvine, CA, United States)
Simon, J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Chang, W.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Chow, E. T.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Burleigh, S. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
June 13, 2011
Subject Category
Technology Utilization And Surface Transportation
Meeting Information
Meeting: Rail Conference
Location: Boston, MA
Country: United States
Start Date: June 12, 2011
End Date: June 15, 2011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Policy-Based Management (PBM)
Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN)
positive train control

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