Passengers using smartphones at station as the train comes in

Help Points, Intercoms and Phone Communications

The NetSpire emergency intercom and phone system is a TCP/IP based unified communication platform designed for use on rolling stock, wayside, roadside and in tunnels. The system provides central operators with control of multiple incoming calls with configurable escalation strategies.

In addition to emergency call handling, the system is capable of addressing informational requests vaia either an operator, or automatically generated audio announcements.

With proven performance in demanding environments, the NetSpire communication platform is a reliable and highly advanced platform with excellent integration capabilities.

Features

  • Passenger Emergency Communication
  • Automated Passenger Information
  • Vandal Resistant, Jam Proof Buttons, Weather Proof Enclosures
  • Disability Compliance (Induction Loops)
  • DDA Compliant Options
  • VoIP, IP Network Based Communications
  • Central Operator Control and Monitoring
  • Local Operator Control
  • Full Duplex with integrated DSP and Echo Cancellation
  • Central Monitoring and Status reporting for all devices in the system
  • Audio Self Test for intercoms and general health testing
  • Tamper Detection
  • Flexible and Configurable Escalation Control
  • Fault Tolerant Architecture
  • EN50155 Rolling stock Certified
  • CCTV Integration
  • General Telephony Support for Office and Admin Phones

Applications

The NetSpire range of intercoms and phones can be used to provide the following communications solutions:
  • Passenger Emergency Communications between passenger intercoms and crew, local and central operations.
  • Passenger Public Address Audio including on demand automated pre-recorded messages and train movement messages as well as live public address.
  • Disability Compliance with DDA compliant activation force, visual indication and sound pressure levels and support for inductive hearing loops.
  • Signal Post Telephones for wayside communications and roadside and tunnel applications.
  • Touch Screen Operator Call Station allows multiple incoming calls to be managed graphically.
  • Call Recording for all calls in the system

EN50155 Rolling Stock Certified

The NetSpire™ rollingstock components are suitable for installation in railway rolling stock. The devices are compliant with EN50155 rolling stock and EN61373 vibration standards.

Each device manufactured is vibration and load tested prior to delivery.

 

 

 

Web-based Management

NetSpire devices are designed for ease of installation and maintenance. The initial installation, configuration and deployment can be performed using a standard web-browser by a single technician on the train. The configuration web screens allow authorised technicians to configure and view device settings while making real-time changes to the operational parameters.

Examples of the web interfaces are provided below.

 

 

Auto-configuration and Plug and Play

After initial system configuration, a permanent record of the device configuration is automatically maintained . In the even ar device is swapped-out, the configuration is automatically restored without user interface. This provides true plug-and-play support and reduces training requirements for technicians. It also eliminates the potential for replaced equipment to be incorrectly configured.

 

 

Standard Open Protocols

All core protocols used in the system are international standards such as SIP, RTP, NTP and SDP. Devices such as standard SIP end points can be readily incorporated in the system. Where extension protocols are utilised, they are fully specified and documented.

  • Parametric EQ and General Filters: Configure filters per device or zone
  • Audio Dynamics Control: Specify compression curves and limiter functions
  • Gain Management: Calibrate and configure absolute and relative gains
  • Device Status: Real time status of individual device
  • Diagnostics: Initiate real-time diagnostics functions and test tones

One Cable Networked Solution

All Audio, media and control and status information is sent using an industry standard Ethernet interface. The platform is compatible with all common network topologies and routing arrangements and does not rely on broadcast packets.

802.3af compliant Power over Ethernet is utilised in many NetSpire devices such as operator call stations and intercoms. This further simplifies cabling, installation time and testing requirements.

 

 

Low Component Count

A complete passenger emergency, PA, Passenger Information and Crew Communication system with train radio integration and disabled user support can be implemented with 4 NetSpire components. This simplifies design, reduces space requirement and eases management of spares.

 

 

Disability Compliance

The NetSpire system supports compliance with international disabled access requirements such as EN60118-4 for hearing impaired users. The NetSpire TGUI is one of the only products in the world to support efficient Class-D transconductance amplifiers for driving Induction Loops.

 

 

Interfacing with Third-party Systems

The NetSpire™ SDK for Java, .NET, C# and C++ allows custom software solutions to control and monitor the communications system.

NetSpire™ devices support programmable isolated digital inputs and outputs for interfacing with devices such as buttons, door indicators, TMS signals, etc. A web integrated schematic logic tool is provided to allow code free implementation of custom functions.

In addition to the NetSpire SDK and Logic Editor, NetSpire devices have the following interfaces and options available for integration:

  • RS232 / 485 interfaces
  • SCADA Device Drivers
  • SNMP monitoring and control interface

Distributed Digital Voice Announcement

Each NetSpire devices incorporates independent recorded digital voice announcement capabilities. This means components such as amplifiers can independently make announcements without relying on shared or remote components. This facility provides added flexibility, for example it is possible to make a “door obstruction announcement” to a specific location.

 

 

 

High Fidelity, Digital Audio System

All audio in the NetSpire system is sent as digital data. This provided increased audio bandwidth over traditional systems and removes issues associated with noise in analog environments.

 

 

 

 

Redundancy and Fault Tolerant

The NetSpire CXS servers provide automatic redundant failover between the active and hot-standby servers. This ensures there is no single point of failure and system operation can continue in the event of a CXS unit failure, or network partition.

 

 

Sophisticated Self Health Checking

NetSpire devices continually self-monitor operation to ensure they are functioning correctly. Faults are identified proactively and reported without the need for manual inspection in most cases.

Fault detection options extend to supporting acoustic loop back checking and speaker bus impedance checking for identifying problems with intercoms or external cabling and speaker faults.

 

 

Scalable and Extensible

The distributed design of the system enables it to be scaled to support thousands of audio channels and attached devices.

All system components are software upgradeable over the network, allowing additional functionality to be added to the system without removing or physically visiting each device.

 

 

 

VoIP Based System
PSTN Based System
Hybrid System

In environments where a standard TCP⁄IP network is available, the system may be installed as a pure VoIP system for end to end digital communication. Communication from the VoIP Help Phones is routed via a Communications Exchange that acts as a VoIP PBX and is responsible for routing, queueing and prioritizing calls. The communications Exchange is also able to record duplex audio if audio logging is required. The operator console provides the ability to manage incoming calls graphically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In environments where Help Phones need to be connected to the public telephone network, the PSTN Help Points are configured to dial a preset number. An optional NetSpire IVRS server can also be installed with a graphical console and call audio logging if required.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In environments where a network is available, but distance limitations preclude the use of VoIP Help Points, a hybrid arrangement can be used, where Help Points can be located up to 1km from a NetSpire SPTGU (Signal Post Telephone Gateway Unit) that provides VoIP capabilities for up to 4 help points.