Icomera Mobile System

The main components of the Icomera Mobile System are:

Antenna unit - This includes GSP, GPS, 3G, WLAN capabilities. If satellite is selected included a separate tracking satellite antenna is also included. The antennas are mounted on the roof. Thanks to a special multiplexing technology, only a single mobile antenna is required on the roof despite the system being equipped with multiple modems.

High voltage Protection Unit (HPU) - Mobile antennas are by design protected from the risk of exposing passengers and train crew from high voltage. This is not the case for satellite antennas. To ensure protection against high voltage when a satellite antenna is used, Icomera has designed this unit which is always used whenever a satellite antenna is installed.

Icomera Mobile System Rack (IMSR) - This is the central unit with CPU, wireless communication cards, network switch, GPS receiver and optional satellite receiver or tranceiver card. The IMSR also includes the core software that supports communication link optimisations, passenger services, onboard portal etc as well as a power module that enables both the onboard software as the operations centre to control the power to individual components within and external to the IMSR. The IMSR is built using industry computer parts and fitted within a standard 19" rack.

Onboard Wireless Network (OWN) - Passengers and staff connect using the Onboard Wireless Network, a wireless local area network, in the same way as they would at Wi-Fi hotspots in fixed locations. The OWN is installed in every coach and has two functions. First, it allows the coaches to connect to each other, thus creating a train backbone. Secondly, it enables wireless access to the network and thus the Internet for passengers and train staff equipped with Wi-Fi devices. The Wi-Fi network is based on industry standard 802.11b/g and includes features to limit the risk of passengers infecting each other with viruses.

The passengers are met with a captive (forced) portal. The portal has a walled garden facility and the ability for users to view predefined parts of the Internet without charge. With minimal clicks passengers can proceed from the portal to access the Internet.

Our authentication system allows users to connect in a variety of ways subject to how the train operator wants to control this:

• Free access of everyone
  
• Complimentary access in 1st class to encourage upgrades
  
• Vouchers
  
• Credit card access
  
• Integration with existing ISPs
  
• Promotional passwords
  
• Integration with existing ticketing systems

The payment transaction process follows standard security protocols and the access between the client and the payment pages on the onboard portal is SSL encrypted.

The Icomera Mobile System includes support for positioning based on GPS. Passengers and personnel access the positioning data through a map applet showing the whereabouts of the train. As an option, XML based positioning information can be made available to onboard systems through a web interface. Current as well as historical position information is also stored centrally to be able to show the position of all trains within the fleet on a map.