Huawei Powers Southeast Asia's First High-Speed Rail with Advanced Network Technology

JAKARTA - On Oct. 2 in Jakarta, the WHOOSH, Southeast Asia's first high-speed train, glided out of the city's Halim Station on its maiden commercial journey. Boasting a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the train slashes a previously tedious three-hour journey between Jakarta and Bandung into a swift 40-minute jaunt. Yet, speed is only a fraction of the story. A crucial underpinning of this advancement is Huawei's network technology, which purports to bolster rail transit's safety and efficiency.

The WHOOSH represents more than just a transportation breakthrough; it's both a significant economic opportunity and a vital necessity. With the country’s population expanding, traffic congestion is a rapidly growing concern. Officials estimate the near-constant gridlock between Jakarta and Bandung drains over $6.5 billion from the economy each year. The potential socio-economic impacts are enormous. In fact, areas surrounding stations such as Halim and Karawang are already showing noticeable commercial development, and there are discussions about extending the line by 750 kilometers to Surabaya. With so much riding on the railway, it was clear from the offset that a modern communications infrastructure would be needed to match the expected demand and ensure a safer, more efficient service.

Traditional high-speed railways encounter connectivity issues when interfacing with conventional GSM, 3G, and 4G systems. A train's speed, combined with vast distances and diverse landscapes, can lead to inconsistent wireless signals and potential safety risks, especially in earthquake-prone regions like Indonesia. To address these challenges, Huawei partnered with China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) and China Telecom to design bespoke network solutions specifically for the project.

The Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3) acts as the foundational control system for the WHOOSH, ensuring safe, fast operations. Developed natively in China, the CTCS-3 is vital for facilitating and managing the train's functions. But for the system to function optimally, it demands a robust communication network that can guarantee reliability, security, and high data transfer rates.

One of the main obstacles for the WHOOSH’s communication system was interference. Despite having its own dedicated network and frequency, residual signals from previous configurations and crosstalk from different systems posed problems. Huawei and its partners tackled this issue by meticulously checking for interference sources and coordinating the use of frequencies across the route.

Another hurdle was maintaining consistent connectivity, especially when a train transitions between different base stations or signal towers. The WHOOSH employs a pioneering technique called the multi-site cell solution. Instead of the train hopping between numerous small network zones, this strategy overlaps several base stations, all tuned to the same logical area cell, forming a broad, uninterrupted network zone. This ensures minimal signal disruption.

High speeds also introduce a technical challenge known as the Doppler offset problem, which disrupts communication between the train and the base station. To prevent this, the base stations use special signals, known as uplink pilot signals, to monitor and adjust their connection to the train. Additionally, all the baseband units (BBUs) operate in dual backup mode to further ensure reliability. If one BBU falters, another takes over immediately, providing uninterrupted service.

Beyond ensuring signal continuity and network resilience, a high-speed train system like WHOOSH demands impeccable train-to-ground communication. Drawing on Huawei's advanced technology, the train achieves an impressive 99.99% network uptime. This ensures that critical operational data is consistently and promptly relayed between the train and ground control centers, guaranteeing safety and seamless operations. Such robust communication is vital for scheduling and integration with other railway systems.

Put together, the system is fortified against potential single points of failure, thereby enhancing overall network reliability.

Leveraging Huawei's advanced ground-to-train wireless communications technology, the WHOOSH aims to set a benchmark in the global railway sector. Li Junfeng, Vice President of Huawei and CEO of Huawei’s Aviation & Rail Business Unit, highlighted the project's significance: "The Jakarta–Bandung railway demonstrates Huawei’s dedication to assisting industries in their digital transition. Together with our customers and partners, we remain committed to enabling safer and greener mobility, more efficient transportation, and high-quality services with more dynamic technologies that meet customers' actual needs."

Next Generation Network

Alongside other significant projects like the Ports and Railways of Mozambique, where Huawei deployed its cutting-edge Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) Solution, the tech giant is strategically positioning itself as a pivotal player and provider of forward-thinking solutions in the global transport industry's digital evolution

“As technology evolves, the railway industry needs a next-generation mobile communication system to guarantee efficiency, benefits, and sustained high-quality growth,” Li stated. "Huawei is at the forefront of this, setting industry standards and achieving significant progress."

FRMCS is emerging as a transformative force in railway digitalization, unlocking new potentials in train control, dispatching, onboard IoT, CCTV, TCMS, trackside security, asset management, and more.

"In the future, Huawei plans to collaborate further with partners to cater to the needs of the aviation and rail sectors. We aim to accelerate Industrial Intelligence through technological advancements, focusing on enhancing safety, green mobility, transportation efficiency, and service quality," added Li.