RFID for Transportation

RFID components for use in rail and bus traffic

RFID components for several applications

RFID components for use in rail and bus traffic
FEIG has been developing and producing RFID technology for more than 30 years and offers a wide range of UHF products for use in rail and bus transport. Long range readers for use along the track as well as the long range reader ID LRU1002X for on-board solutions tested according to EN 50 155 enable a wide range of applications to make traffic systems more efficient, safer and more reliable.
Loop detectors for traffic monitoring are also offered.
RFID readers and detectors basically transmit the read / detected data to the respective higher-level monitoring or control system.

Our RFID products

Long Range Applications

Due to the required reading ranges, only UHF readers can be used for rail applications. UHF readers can be considered for rail applications. Here, long range readers achieve maximum reading ranges of up to 16m.

On-board applications

For onboard applications, the ID LRU1002X and the ID LRU500i-BD are two readers that have been tested in accordance with the EN 50 155 railroad standard, among others, and thus meet the requirements for use in and on trains.

Control of barrier systems

Single and multi-channel detectors for the control of barrier systems complete our range for railroad applications.

UHF long range reader tested according to railway standard

ID LRU1002X is a high performance UHF RFID reader with 4 antenna inputs.

Due to the required reading ranges, only UHF readers can be considered for railway applications. Here, long range readers achieve maximum reading ranges of up to 16 m.
For on-board applications, the ID LRU1002X is a reader that is tested - among other things - according to the railway standard EN 50 155 and thus meets the requirements for use in rolling stock.
Mid-range readers are also available for encoding transponders in the factory, as well as mobile devices for maintenance and service purposes.
Single and multi-channel detectors for controlling barrier systems complete our range for railway applications.

UHF long range reader with read ranges up to 16 m

For RFID applications along the track, FEIG offers with the ID LRU3500 the flagship of the UHF reader programme, in addition to the ID LRU1002 and the ID LRU3000. With an output power of up to 4 W, it is the most powerful reader with a maximum reading range of up to 16 m. Furthermore, it offers additional features for special applications with a maximum number of interfaces and I/Os as well as an integrated LINUX operating system.
Just like all other long range readers, the ID LRU3500 convinces users with a robust metal housing, high reception and reading speed, 4 antenna outputs with integrated multiplexer and a secure key memory.

UHF compact reader with integrated antenna tested according to railway standards

ID LRU500i-BD is a robust compact reader with an integrated antenna. This robust compact reader with the integrated antenna is particularly suitable for mounting underneath the train in tram applications. The space-saving assembly underneath the train and data transmission via RS485 enable a variety of applications.

Robust UHF antennas

The UHF antennas of FEIG ELECTRONIC are particularly characterised by their precise tuning to the various UHF operating frequencies. One variant is available for operation in the European frequency band from 865 MHz to 868 MHz and one variant for operation in the FCC band from 902 MHz to 928 MHz. The circular polarisation of the antennas allows the transponders to be detected in different orientations.
The robust antennas with protection class IP65 and TNC connectors are available in the variants ID ANT.U290/290 (65° opening angle) and ID ANT.U580/290 (30° opening angle).

UHF LOCFIELD® Antenna

Low-floor vehicles are being used more and more frequently, especially in new trams, and enable comfortable, barrier-free boarding and alighting.
Depending on the design of the trains, the distance between the track and the car body can be very small, less than 20 cm. Classic RFID antennas, which emit a reading field with an opening angle, often create a reading zone that is too short at these small distances. Reliable communication with the transponders installed in the track bed is not guaranteed. This is where the cable based LOCFIELD® antenna offers the solution. This antenna can be mounted under the train in a plastic laying hose in the direction of travel. The length of the reading zone can be determined by means of the active zone of the LOCFIELD® antenna. Too small a distance between antenna and transponder cannot occur thanks to the special functionality of this antenna. Of course, the mounting instructions for this special and flexible antenna must be observed.

Compact and robust RFID / barcode scanner

A mobile UHF reader may be required for reading and writing transponders during maintenance or service work.
ECCO+ is a compact RFID / barcode scanner that is still comfortable to use even with the thickest work gloves. Its large battery guarantees the completion of long work shifts without having to recharge in between. Four clearly arranged, freely programmable keys and its exchangeable front cover for individual labelling make it unique.
With common communication interfaces such as USB, Bluetooth and WLAN, ECCO+ can be used in a wide range of applications.

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Application examples

For use in rail and bus transport

Positioning

Position markers can be set in or on the track bed using passive, maintenance-free UHF RFID transponders. Robust UHF RFID readers and antennas tested according to railway standards, which are installed on or under the vehicle, recognize the transponders and thus the current position of the train, metro, tram or buses. The position determination works precisely (with assignment to the track) and reliably even with tracks running close together, in tunnels, in street canyons or in bad weather conditions. Higher-level systems can use location determination and, for example, ensure safe rail operations in combination with other systems. In addition, the location information can be used as a trigger for a variety of systems, such as the activation of automatic top of rail treatment. Further application examples can be found on this website.

Trackside / Wayside detection

Passive UHF RFID transponders uniquely identify locomotives, wagons or individual train components. For example, there exist globally accepted standards and specifications for labeling from GS1®. Robust and reliable UHF RFID readers and antennas installed along the track automatically recognize the passing and clearly marked train sets or the individual train components. There are many use cases from optimized maintenance to pure information about which train set passes which detection point. You will find some suggestions further on this website.

Automatic and selective door opening

Another on-board application is the automatic and selective door opening. The reader on the train identifies the transponders placed on the platform or in the track bed, transmits the data to the higher-level system and the train control system opens the doors facing the platform.
If the train is longer than the platform, the doors are opened selectively. If platform screen doors are present, they are opened together with the train doors for the purpose of passenger exchange.

Optimization of maintenance processes

Maintenance and cleaning processes must be optimally planned and coordinated so that the long trains are also available in the morning at the beginning of rush hour. The identification of the rolling stock in conjunction with direction recognition when entering and leaving the service facilities ensures that the specified sequence for maintenance and cleaning is adhered to and documented. RFID long range readers ensure error-free identification and process optimisation.

Passenger information systems

Thanks to the UHF RFID-based, reliable and low-maintenance position determination, the passenger information system can always be supplied with up-to-date data. Tunnels or street canyons have no effect on the RFID system, which precisely recognizes the transponder markers in or on the track bed down to the track.

Condition monitoring

Third-party systems, such as axle counting and weighing systems, can use the UHF-RFID-supported wagon and train recognition to clearly assign the recorded measurement data to this wagon or locomotive. The digital twin is “fed” with the data. By recognizing trends, upcoming maintenance work can be planned in advance.

Pantograph activation

Electromobility is of course also important in local public transport. But not everywhere trams and electric buses can be supplied with electricity via the pantograph. In the case of electric buses, charging is typically only carried out at the bus stops. Optimum use of the loading time is most important. Passive, maintenance-free UHF RFID transponders installed in the track bed or at bus stops are detected using robust UHF RFID long-range readers and antennas installed on the rail vehicle or bus. The pantograph can be activated or deactivated by recognizing the unique ID of this transponder.

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"Made in Germany" Quality

FEIG ELECTRONIC has been a development partner and specialist in contactless identification (RFID), control electronics, traffic sensors and payment terminals for more than 50 years. From our headquarters in Weilburg, Germany, the ca. 400 people who work for us contribute to technological progress by developing innovative solutions for a wide range of applications and industries.