Private rail freight operator, Pacific National, required the implementation of voice and data communications equipment before the company could operate its new locomotive fleet on the train network.
Pacific National’s coal division rolled-out a new range of locomotives which require voice and data communications before they could begin hauling coal.
Any delay in having the trains operating would mean having significant assets sitting idle and therefore a loss of revenue for Pacific National. A quick, reliable solution was required.
Comgroup Australia teamed with Mintec Systems and together used their expertise in communication systems to develop a combined hardware/software solution.
Comgroup, as the project leader, was responsible for the hardware and installation. Mintec was responsible for the software implementation.
Using an Advantech Uno-2176 as the base computer and running Linux as an operating system, Mintec integrated a Telstra NextG phone for primary voice and data communications, with an Iridium Satellite phone for backup operations.
The NextG phone was used to provide a continuous VPN connection back to the Pacific National enterprise, allowing the locomotive to report location based data information at the same time sending over the air updates to the system from the enterprise.
Key features of the system include:
• emergency reporting to train controllers;
• voice communication to train controllers;
• GPS location reporting to the enterprise; and
• Simultaneous voice and data via Telstra NextG network.
Mintec utilised the high speed data capabilities of the NextG phone to provide a LAN within the locomotive. This allows Pacific National to operate business type applications from within the locomotive cab and connect directly to the enterprise via the VPN.
Mintec Systems and Comgroup Australia delivered an advanced locomotive communication system that allows Pacific National locomotive drivers telephone access at the same time providing high speed data access for on-board business applications.