Vehicle Internet Links using Infra-Red transmission of Information (VILIRI)

英国铁路上只有三分之一的乘客似乎对列车上的WiFi服务感到满意。无论走到哪里，人们越来越期待免费可靠的互联网，并对火车旅行中断了他们所珍视的生活方式和工作中的娱乐和交流感到沮丧。问题并不是缺乏关注。政府知道这对人们有多重要，并呼吁从2020年起铁路特许经营权包括免费WiFi。尽管该倡议本身将保证人均不超过1 Mbps，但它向列车运营商发出了一个明确的信号，到目前为止，他们发现很难证明在特许经营合同的时间框架内投资所需的基础设施是合理的。网络铁路基础设施有限公司(NRIL)是英国大部分铁路基础设施的所有者和运营商，并处于为这一市场失败寻找创新解决方案的前沿。HS2是英国下一个重大铁路基础设施项目，是证明全程高带宽、可靠互联网服务的绝佳机会。VILIRI的方法基于光无线通信(OWC)，该通信使用红外线(IR)频率在列车和轨旁之间以10千兆位每秒(10Gbps)的速度发送数据。这足以满足所有类型的互联网浏览、实时通信和每位乘客有效的无限容量。创新之处在于使用了高度集中的先进光学设备和精心匹配的传感器，这些传感器可以获取低功率红外信号并进行可靠的实时处理。这需要列车上和轨道上的收发机，以便数据通过视线轮流从每个收发机传输。例如，可达到的服务质量将支持业务通信和安全闭路电视画面传输，以及为乘客提供信息和互联网。该项目将通过先进的信号处理和有需要的多通道来增强光纤链路的能力。应注意确保光学元件在任何天气下都保持清洁和透明。最重要的是，将该系统作为铁路基础设施的一部分安装的商业案例，将由额外的互联网服务带来的收入覆盖，同时乘客可以免费享受基本的互联网服务。在为信号和其他功能铺设光纤的情况下，通过互联网连接将降低资本成本。

Only a third of passengers on the UK's railways seem happy with the wifi service they receive on the train. People increasingly expect free and reliable internet wherever they go and are frustrated that train journeys interrupt the entertainment and communications they value for lifestyle and work.The problem is not for lack of attention. The Government knows how much this matters to people and has called for rail franchises to include free wifi from 2020\. Although the initiative itself will guarantee no more than 1 Mbps per head, it sends a clear signal to the train operators who have so far found it difficult to justify investment in the infrastructure needed over the timeframe of the franchise contracts. Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (NRIL) is the owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain and is at the forefront of attempts to find innovative solutions for this market failure.HS2 is the next major railway infrastructure project in the UK and an excellent opportunity to prove high bandwidth, reliable internet services for entire journeys. VILIRI's approach is based on Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) that uses Infra-Red (IR) frequencies to send data between train and trackside at 10Gigabits per second (10Gbps). This is more than enough for all types of internet browsing, real time communications and effectively unlimited capacity for each passenger.The innovation is to use advanced optics with high levels of concentration and carefully matched sensors that can take low power IR signals and process them reliably in real time. This needs transceivers on the train and along the track so that data is transferred by line of sight from each transceiver in turn. The quality of service achievable will support operational communications and security CCTV picture transfers, for example, as well as information and internet for the passengers.The project will enhance the capability of the optical links by advanced signal processing and multiple channels where needed. Care will be taken to ensure that the optics remain clean and clear in all weathers. Most importantly, the business case for installing the system as part of the railway infrastructure will be covered by the revenue that additional internet services will bring while passengers enjoy the basic internet service without direct charges. Capital costs will be reduced by internet connection within the provision of optical fibre that has to be laid for signalling and other functions.