Product Development

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With our decades of experience and extensive knowledge, we deliver technical solutions that help our customers achieve reliable, interoperable communications to address the challenges of the railroad industry.

Interoperable Train Control Messaging

This works via a core communications system consisting of a messaging platform, a systems management framework, and a radio network and is a custom messaging solution that allows the network to exchange data no matter where or how messages are sent.

  • Class/D & AMQP application transports so back-office integration is simpler.
  • Peer-to-peer broadcast support (like WIUStatus).
  • Multi-layer, high-availability design to meet industry standards.
  • Narrow band communications, such as 220Mhz, and broadband communication, such as wired and wireless IP.

PTC 220 Radios

Engineers at Sun Smart ensure successful testing, network planning, and management of railroad communications.

BASE STATION RADIO

Installed at fixed locations, base radios provide radio frequency (RF) connectivity between the back office and all wayside and locomotive radios in the system..

  • Maximizes the use of purchased 220 MHz frequency band to support all railroad I-ETMS communications.
  • Supports peer-to-peer broadcasts (like WIUStatus) which reduces dependency on the back office.
  • Supports Forward Error Correction (FEC) and Diversity Receive to improve systems reliability.
  • Works in conjunction with ITCM to support nation-wide PTC.

Locomotive Radio

Locomotive radios support the onboard computer’s situational awareness to meet PTC requirements. Within the extra capacity of the communication system, the radio enables the improvement of operational efficiencies.

  • Utilizes the purchased 220 MHz frequency band to support all railroad I-ETMS communications.
  • Supports peer-to-peer broadcasts (like WIUStatus) which reduces dependency on the back office.
  • Supports FEC and Diversity Receive to improve system reliability.
  • Works in conjunction with ITCM® to support nation-wide PTC.

Wayside Radio

Relay field messages between waysides, locomotives and the back office to avoid unexpected delays, manage risk, and exchange data across railroads. With long industry expertise, we design radios to maximize performance and reliability, and limit the amount of maintenance required.

  • Utilizes the purchased 220 MHz frequency band to support all railroad I-ETMS communications.
  • Supports peer-to-peer broadcasts (like WIUStatus) which reduces dependency on the back office.
  • Supports FEC and Diversity Receive to improve system reliability.

CTC OVER ITCM®: (CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL OVER ITCM)

CTC over ITCM is a specification for exchanging CTC messages over ITCM ®  using the existing PTC communication infrastructure. This allows railroads to use their existing PTC communication infrastructure to expedite the FCC 900 MHz migration that affects the railroad ATCS channels. This solution allows railroads to take advantage of ITCM’s inherent support for multiple communication paths and ITCSM.