This paper is presented to illustrate the uses of Spread Spectrum Technology in applications to Train Control Systems of Rail Transportation Systems. A comparison is also made of spread spectrum radio to other conventional types of radio systems. Often in communication system design, the expense of right-of-ways are cost prohibitive; the Authority may want to retrofit a highway or transit system on a temporary basis or the right-of-way may not be possible to obtain. The Spread Spectrum LAN is an approach which can be implemented for both permanent and temporary communication signal transmission. At the present time, Spread Spectrum Technology is in its infancy for commercial applications. The military has used this technology for years. However, as applications grow, the maturity of the technology will increase. Two example systems are addressed in the paper. The first is an application to a Transit Management System to extend communication coverage of existing facilities and the second is a Traffic Management System application for Train Control and roadway Traffic.
Abstract