A smooth communication channel between trains and their control stations is integral to the operation of any railway; but what happens when this channel grows old and dated? This was the problem faced by the protagonist of this case study, a railway operator and a client of ours. But before we can understand and appreciate how our IP Migration solutions helped our client, we must first delve deeper into the world of railway communication systems.
A Kink in the Railway Tracks
In any given railway network, multiple centralised train control centres exist to coordinate and control the various aspects of operations, including but not limited to communicating with train drivers. This client of ours had all along been using the Digital Train Radio System to allow control centres to make and receive voice communications with the trains in the network using dispatching terminals, also known as dispatchers. An Atos OpenScape 4000 provides the dispatchers with voice interfaces and allows them to link up with the Train Radio Network.
However, therein lied the analogous kink in the railway tracks – a legacy multiplexing system was still being used between the dispatcher and the OpenScape 4000.
The Solution – IP Distributed Architecture
To help our client migrate away from legacy multiplexing infrastructure to modern IP infrastructure, we used our technical expertise and knowledge of the technology involved to create a smooth and gradual transitioning solution using existing systems. We did this by seamlessly replacing the core long-distance carrier technology with modern transport technologies without impacting the rest of the network by deploying IP Distributed Architecture on the OpenScape 4000.
In addition, we ensured there was sufficient redundancy in the system by having only the terminal equipment reside in the control centres. All the core equipment resided instead in two data centres – with one being active and the other kept on standby. This elegant solution ensured that in the event of a data centre switchover, there would be an automatic switchover of the IP Distributed Architecture as well.
In this instance, the already present OpenScape 4000 hybrid communications server was capable of integrating both the legacy infrastructure and the modern infrastructure. Being a converged platform, it was the ideal platform for mixed technology environments such as the one our client was in.
Why Choose Us?
In an industry that is notoriously risk-averse and resistant to technological changes, we were able to provide our client with a reliable solution to replace their high-risk, non-serviceable legacy infrastructure. Our solution required meticulous execution, given the numerous stakeholders coupled with the complex nature of the project.
Unlike many others in our industry, we build complete mock-ups in our labs and test them extensively to simulate our clients’ environmental conditions and to ensure that our solutions are fully functional before deployment. We choose to go the extra mile to ensure that we deliver dependable, laboratory proven solutions every time, instead of spending time after deployment ironing our creases in the solution and potentially causing disruptions to our clients’ systems.
The comprehensive technical knowledge and skillsets of our team allow us to identify problems, consult with clients, and deliver consistent results time and again.