Electromagnetic Compatibility between 4G/5G Mobile Communications and Railway Telecommunication Equipment

Modern railway transport and infrastructure require modern communication systems. Railway transport control systems are complex critically important informatization objects and have several control levels: operation, centralization and element control. Today, the transport industry is gradually mastering the next generation of technological radio communications based on LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and 5G technologies. The development of telecommunication systems in railway transport allows improving the quality of services provided to passengers and ensuring a higher level of safety thanks to remote monitoring used to promptly identify and resolve emergency situations. However, it is difficult to find optimal solutions now, due to the large number of communication nodes, difficult operating conditions, electromagnetic interference and limited space. In this work a systems analysis of electromagnetic compatibility of 4G/5G mobile communication equipment and railway equipment is performed. Unified criteria for the stability of railway signaling and telecommunications equipment to radio frequency electromagnetic influence through housing ports are used. A statistical approach is applied based on the analysis of the conditionally average level of electromagnetic background generated by 4G/5G base stations. The worst estimate of the required spacing of 4G/5G equipment and railway equipment providing their EMC is also applied. The analysis results show a significant potential hazard of radiation from 4G/5G base stations and subscriber equipment, underestimation of which is fraught with catastrophic consequences. Possible ways to eliminate the risk of disruption of railway signaling and telecommunications equipment in a complex electromagnetic environment created by 4G/5G systems are discussed.