Tunnel Radio News
Tunnel Radio Wireless Railroad and Transit Radio Products
Tunnel Radio understands the needs of railroads. Since 1992, we have constructed over 500 miles of rail tunnel wireless systems. Continuous clear coverage, system reliability, and customer service come with the Tunnel Radio package. Our UHF Tunnel Radio Link® distributed power technology and the VHF Tunnel Voice® radio communication systems are operating throughout the United States and Canada in some of the longest tunnels in North America.
Tunnel Voice (also known as FD-4® ) is the VHF member of Tunnel Radio’s family of rail products. Dependable two way communication between dispatch, trains, and maintenance crews will increase your tunnel’s safety and productivity, and Tunnel Voice gives you that dependable communication. When combined with our UHF radio systems, Tunnel Voice, provides the complete tunnel communications solution: proven and reliable. Tunnel Voice offers simplex dispatch as well as duplex narrow split operation, all within the AAR 160 MHz radio band.
Our 15 years of underground radio experience and our excellent field record guarantee system dependability. Across North America, our nation’s largest railroads have installed the Tunnel Voice radio technology in their tunnels. More than 500 miles of tunnels are currently operating across the United States and Canada, using our systems.
Key Benefits
- Continuous voice communications — regardless of tunnel length
- Dependable communications between dispatch, trains, and maintenance crews
- All components are designed for the harsh tunnel environment
- Seamless full duplex radio coverage from surface to underground
Features
- Amplified antenna network is extendable to any length tunnel
- No RF dead spots — regardless of tunnel length
- Low component count and easy maintainability
- Advanced VHF FD-4 amplifier technology
- 150 – 170 MHz
- Multiplies single and duplex narrow band channels
Tunnel Radio Link is an extension system for Distributed Power and EOT/HOT systems. The system extends the radio signal for end-of-train and head-of-train communications no matter the tunnel length. It eliminates dead spots and increases radio signal ranges in the tunnel or a mountain pass environment. This patented technology is a major breakthrough in distributed antenna capability for UHF data systems.
Key Benefits
- Continuous data communications—regardless of tunnel length
- Advanced amplifier technology
- All components designed for the harsh tunnel environment
- Virtually eliminates dead spots
Features
- Extends radio signals for EOT/HOT and *GE Locontrol® Distributed Power
- Requires only one single zone repeater per system
- Amplifiers are equipped with external LEDs for easy monitoring
- SCADA based monitoring system is available for remote testing
- Compatible with our TMS Tunnel Monitoring System
- Used throughout North America by all major railways
OFA – Off-Air Amplifier
Tunnels often present a radio coverage problem for railroads. Larger tunnels require a dedicated radio zone, which often requires construction of a full communication site to provide coverage. Intermediate and small tunnels may also require the same coverage and expense: hence the Tunnel Radio “OFA” system to fill the gap between.
Normally there is radio coverage from a higher elevation near the tunnel structure. The OFA system uses a new technology to wirelessly connect that base site to the interior of the tunnel. The frequency band may be 160 MHz, 450 MHz or higher depending upon the service required and whether operating in either simplex or half-duplex mode.
If the system requires train data, such as HOT/EOT or Distributed Power where a propagation fill is needed from outside the tunnel (front to back of train), then a dual antenna system is employed. For larger tunnels, the system may also be used in conjunction with the Tunnel Radio Tunnel Voice VHF or UHF systems.
Tunnel Radio has already installed OFA systems for Metrolink (in the Los Angeles area), Conrail, Union Pacific, and a number of foreign railroads. All systems are in excellent working condition. This is proof of Tunnel Radio’s unmatched creativity in the development of new products designed to fit the needs of our customers.
TMS – Tunnel Monitoring System
Tunnel Radio’s newest addition is the TMS Tunnel Monitoring System technology. When installed complementary to our TR-155 or TR-500 UHF UltraComm system, TMS enables and allows complete control and supervision of any mine utility by way of wireless. TMS is a diagnostic/monitoring technology that constantly tracks the condition of the UltraComm radio system and mine utilities. When the Tunnel Monitoring System detects a failure, such as a broken cable, or loss of power output, the condition is displayed on a VFD 4 × 20 line display. Fans, pumps, power centers, and even mobile equipment are controlled and monitored through Tunnel Radio’s TMS technology. It is also useable as a data link with MineAx tracking.
Key Benefits
- Network accessible
- No separate computer required
- All functions / actions performed on head unit display
- Monitors radio system and utilities
- Wirelessly controls multiple functions
Tunnel Optic® enables the extension of VHF, UHF and other wireless services in difficult to cover tunnels and shadowed areas. This technology allows base stations, remote sites, and antennas to exchange high quality RF signals over a long distance; which makes it possible to obtain reliable communications inside a tunnel.
Each system consists of a head-end interface and Tunnel Optic RF optical transmitter and receivers. The transmitter receives the RF signal, converts it into light, and transmits the optical signal over a fiber optic cable to the receiver, which reconverts the optical signal to an RF output signal with virtually no line loss.
Fiber Optic® RF equipment are protocol transparent, enabling them to carry all transmission standards, including CDMA, TDMA, AMPS, and GSM. Tunnel Optic can also carry multiple services over the same fiber.
Each model comes with a variety of features. LED’s, monitors, and alarms allow for complete system status monitoring and interfacing with M&C systems. One of the unique features is the serial data modem. An out-of-band sub-carrier is multiplexed with the RF signal over the same fiber, providing the most cost-effective method for monitoring and controlling RS232 communication. Another feature is gain control at the receiver site which optimizes both link gain and RF output level.
Key Benefits
- Signal clarity and integrity remains consistent for over 15 miles.
- Supports a full range of frequencies for multiple services
- Provides high quality communications with fewer components
Features
- Full range of frequencies supporting VHF voice / data, UHF voice / data, cellular, PCS, or ultra-wide band links
- Broadband – .5 – 2.2 GHz.
- Multi-channel Multi-band – allows for broad-band multiplexing
- Protocol transparent – carries any transmission standard
- Adjustable receiver gain control
- Optional RS serial data port allows for data transmission and remote signal monitoring
- Status monitors and alarms
- Stand alone or rack mount packaging
- Compatible with DPU EOT/HOT systems
- Compatible with Tunnel Radio Link VHF and UHF systems
- Compatible with Tunnel Radio OFA systems
- Compatible with 900 paging systems
* GE Locontrol is a registered trademark of GE Transportation Systems.
Tunnel Radio is an authorized dealer for:
