Feasibility Test and Analysis for Heavy Haul Freight Using WDPS Based on MIMO-OFDM

Abstract

The technical feasibility of a heavy haul freight using WDPS (Wireless Distributed Power System) was verified for the first time in Korea. That consisted of a master locomotive, 50 freights and a slave locomotive. The master and slave locomotives were equipped with WDPS to distribute traction and braking control command data. MIMO-OFDM, which is strong in multi-path, was applied to the WDPS, and a repeater was installed on the 25th freight to secure coverage even with signal attenuation according to the terrain (curve, gradient) of the driving section. The test was carried out at an average speed of 100 km/h in the approximately 21 km from Jillye station to Busansinhang station in Korea. As a result of the test, it was confirmed that the traction function, braking function, pantograph control function, MCB function, and safety circuit function of the heavy haul freight using WDPS were perfectly controlled. Additionally, the air braking time was reduced by about 50% compared to the centralized control as the braking was controlled by two locomotives at the same time. For the first time, the operational feasibility of heavy haul freight using WDPS based on MIMO-OFDM in the 2.4 GHz/5 GHz band with a relatively short propagation distance was verified.

Keywords

• heavy haul freight
• WDPS
• MIMO-OFDM
• braking performance
• safety function