CBTC Railway Signaling MPLS Ring Network Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway signaling communication networks, particularly those using SDH technology, face challenges in efficiently extending and reconfiguring networks without significant downtime, as they require retesting and reconfiguration of the entire network, leading to prolonged startup times and increased complexity with network size.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an MPLS-based communication network with a ring topology, including pairs of local and central switches, and applying specific services for path definition, failure detection, and reconfiguration, allowing predefinition of communication paths and reducing the need for extensive reconfiguration during network extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SDH-based communication networks are used with physical redundancy architecture, then communication reliability is improved, but network extension complexity and reconfiguration time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple independent rings, each managed by its own control unit. This allows individual ring management and extension without affecting the entire network, reducing extension complexity while maintaining reliability through ring-level redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple communication paths and establishes backup routes in advance. When extending the network, pre-prepared configuration templates and automated provisioning reduce the need for extensive real-time reconfiguration and testing
2Area of stationary object
If SDH-based communication networks are extended, then network coverage is improved, but retesting and reconfiguration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Network extension configurations are pre-planned and pre-tested using virtualization techniques. Configuration templates are prepared in advance, allowing rapid deployment when physical extension is needed, minimizing reconfiguration time while expanding coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual copies of network configurations and test environments are created to validate extensions before physical implementation. This allows extensive testing without affecting the live network, reducing reconfiguration time and risks
3Reliability
If traditional radiocommunication infrastructure with separate red and blue paths is used, then communication continuity is improved, but infrastructure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traditional separate red and blue path infrastructures into a single shared physical infrastructure. Virtualization techniques allow multiple logical communication paths to coexist on shared physical resources, reducing infrastructure complexity and cost while maintaining communication continuity through virtual path redundancy
Data Source
AI summary
This infrastructure includes a network MPLS; first and second groups of access points associated with each section of the track; first and second modems, on the train, communicating with access points of the first and second groups. The network includes pairs of local switches, each associated with a section of the track and including first and second local switches for communication with, respectively, the first and second groups of access points of the associated section, and first and second central switches, the switches being in series with one another and implementing a service for defining paths between each central switch and each local switch so the path between the first central switch and the first local switch of a pair and the path between the second central switch and the second local switch of this pair correspond to separate portions of the ring formed by the network.