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Rail, Air and Marine TransportationImproving communications on the rails, in the air and on the sea
In addition to their more publicly visible effect on aircraft and aviation systems, advanced electronic components have also significantly impacted rail and marine products and infrastructures. In signaling system reliability, tracking and other applications, HP components are continuing to lead the way in providing safer, more productive transportation systems on land, sea and in the air. Air transportationIn a number of commercial aircraft, space-saving HP LED lamps and displays are being selected for cockpit instrumentation applications due to their extreme reliability and reduced systems costs. Most commercial and military aircraft are being equipped with satellite navigation systems, many of which use HP radio-frequency and microwave semiconductors. HP also offers the high-frequency silicon and GaAs transistors, diodes and ICs suitable for communications, radar, anti-collision and microwave landing systems.The use of fiber optic data links for control data multiplexing offers a way to help reduce aircraft weight while assuring reliability by combining many parallel data lines into a few high-speed serial lines. HP’s fiber optic components are rugged and reliable, suitable for aircraft applications. Rail transportationRailroads and light rail systems throughout the world are adopting some of the latest technological advances to make their carrying capacities higher, their operations more economical, and improve the safety for employees, passengers and the public. There are many different approaches being used and investigated, but all of them feature combinations of improved communications with advanced controls, both on the train and on the rail network.The locomotive revolution Many railroads are now using high-powered diesel-electric locomotives-- many in the 4,000 to 5,000 hp, and even the 6,000 hp range-- using ac traction motors, as opposed to the direct-current motors that were used before. These locomotives are featuring advanced control technology, combined with much-improved fuel economy and higher reliability than the dc counterparts. HP offers motor-control optocouplers and related optically-isolated amplifiers that have been proven for their noise immunity in industrial motor control applications. In addition, technology is fast developing that will permit the control and monitoring of train brakes, multiple locomotive and car performance. Reliable operation of electronically-controlled pneumatic brakes, and the other monitoring and control functions calls for reliable digital communications between each locomotive and car in a train. HP offers the components for reliable communications, whether radio-frequency, fiber optic or infrared. Railroad communications and signaling Railroads are seeking a balance between proven technology and revolutionary approaches. The rail industry is particularly interested in high-capacity bidirectional communications systems using free-space or distributed-antenna systems, and are seriously evaluating the advantages of spread-spectrum digital modulation. Work is already being undertaken in the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands, as well as in the 160 MHz VHF frequencies already assigned to rail communications in the U.S. Hewlett-Packard offers a wide range of RF components optimized for digital communications in these frequency ranges. Even such “simple” applications as railroad signal lights and flashing road crossing signs are being improved. The use of HP high-reliability, high-efficiency, high-brightness LEDs makes operation economical and virtually maintenance-free. To assist in the ongoing task of keeping track of rolling stock, some railroads are already using radio-frequency identification tags. HP offers low-cost, surface-mount diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits, which are ideal for many such tagging applications. Marine transportationMaritime communications and electronic navigation aids have changed drastically in the last few years. Today, many boats are using cellular radios when they are within a few miles of the shore, and there is little doubt that mariners will be major users of the low-earth-orbiting satellite communications systems as soon as they are available. In fact, it’s distinctly possible that such “space-based cellular” telephone capability will virtually eliminate the use of single-sideband HF radiotelephony by the year 2000.This capability will offer many of the advantages of current maritime satellite communications systems at a far lower cost to all vessels. HP produces a wide range of components for radio systems,including complete transmitter assemblies for INMARSAT and satellite terminals. Also by the year 2000, most electronic navigation will probably be via GPS. Radio beacons for harbor approach are disappearing fast, and the U.S. Coast Guard plans to cease operation of LORAN by the year 2005. In the harbor, HP high-brightness LED lamps may someday be used in applications such as marker buoys to help reduce power consumption, leading to longer battery life and reduced maintenance costs. Product SummaryRail, Air and Marine Transportation
- 5 mm AlInGaP LED Lamps
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