RFS sports four PTC antenna options

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), a global wireless and broadcast infrastructure specialist, says it can offer rail operators four new antennas specifically designed to help them meet Positive Train Control (PTC) requirements. RFS says the omnidirectional and yaga antennas have been developed and built with direct input from rail operators, offering them flexibility, high performance, ruggedness, and reliability.

RFS’ two new dual-band exposed dipole omni antennas are designed for switching yards, base stations, and mountainous, curving geographies where line of sight is challenging and broad coverage is required. They operate atboth 160-165 MHz and 218-225 MHz, eliminating the need to change antennas when PTC applications are implemented.

For added flexibility, RFS’ new dual-band omni antennas support both omnidirectional and offset pattern configurations. With the offset pattern option, rail operators benefit from improved gain for better coverage and an improved front-to-back ratio for reduced interference. All pattern adjustments can be made in the field as requirements change.

RFS’ new single-band (390x-6 Series) and dual-band yagi (390DB-3/6) antennas are designed for point-to-point control station, paging, and repeater applications along linear tracks where highly directional coverage is required. For immediate PTC requirements, single- and dual-yagi antennas that operate at 218-225MHz are available. For added flexibility, dual-band yagi antennas that operate at both 160-165 MHz and 218-225 MHz are also available.

All RFS yagi antennas for rail operators feature a high front-to-back ratio of 15-20 dBd to reduce interference and are built with solid aluminum rods for high strength, low weight and corrosion resistance. They also support up to 500 watts of input power for superior coverage.

The single-band, single-yagi antenna is a five-element structure that supports either vertical or horizontal polarization. The single-band, dual-yagi antenna is a 10-element structure that consists of two single yagis with a coaxial divider. The dual-yagi antenna offers a gain of 11dBd, which is 3 dBd higher than the single-yagi antenna.

The dual-band yagi antennas are equipped with five elements for each band. These antennas feature a very high gain of 8 dBd in each frequency range and a very narrow beamwidth (72 degrees horizontal and 52 degrees vertical).