EMC issues in advanced signalling, transmission based train control systems

This paper is an independent evaluation of problems encountered on railways when parts in signalling/train control systems are susceptible to intense, or impulsive electrical and electromagnetic effects. Impulse testing of the communication channels and analysis of responses are significant aspects of the design, build and proving of commercial and domestic digital and communication equipment. EMI and EMC issues may reduce performance. Observations and detailed measurements are the main ways to determine data error rate differences. The French Morane trials did achieve some good comparative results. There are other root causes and factors to consider in practice, train loadings, extreme weather, couplers, cable degradation, component wear and timing period failures occur. The purpose of this paper is to show complex and previously partial understood effect from DC traction GTO impulses can be capture and explained when manufacturers/designers, researchers, trained specialists and users cooperate and accept that both abnormal and normal behaviours of signalling/train control systems have to be addressed together