A Review of the Application of Optical Communication in High-Speed Railway Systems
Main Article Content
Keywords
optical communication, high-speed railway, high-speed railway communication, railway system
Abstract
This paper mainly introduces the applications of optical communication technology in high-speed railway systems. It generally presents and analyzes the evolution of basic technologies from the early plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) to dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) and the optical transport network (OTN), the carriage of core high-speed railway services supported by optical communication, and current frontier innovations related to high-speed railway systems. Finally, it discusses the current shortcomings of this technology in adapting to external factors and the future technical direction and application prospects of deep integration between optical communication and the fifth-generation railway mobile communication system (5G-R). The analysis shows that optical communication is the core transmission foundation supporting the construction of intelligent high-speed railways and has very important application value and development potential in high-speed railway systems.
References
- [1]Hu, Y. (2024). Application of optical fiber communication technology in railway communication systems. Digital Communication World, (8), 130-132.
- [2]Wang, S. (2013). A brief analysis of the networking and protection of SDH transmission networks in railway communication. Shanxi Science and Technology, 28(6), 96-98.
- [3]Long, P. (2004). Dense wavelength-division multiplexing technology in railway long-distance communication networks. Railway Operation Technology, (1), 6-7, 9. https://doi.org/10.13572/j.cnki.tdyy.2004.01.003
- [4]Wang, Y. (2011). Equipment maintenance and emergency fault handling for dense wavelength-division transmission systems. Railway Signalling & Communication Engineering, 8(6), 18-20.
- [5]Wang, Y. (2013). Review of the application and development of OTN in railways. Technology and Enterprise, (9), 122. https://doi.org/10.13751/j.cnki.kjyqy.2013.09.299
- [6]Lu, J. (2026). Fault location and detection technologies for railway optical transport networks. Popular Standardization, (7), 182-184.
- [7]Zhang, C. (2025). Analysis of redundant protection and transmission hazards based on the synchronous digital hierarchy. Transport Business China, (11), 50-52.
- [8]Zhou, R. (2012). Discussion of the application of optical communication in railway environments. Modern Business Trade Industry, 24(5), 179. https://doi.org/10.19311/j.cnki.1672-3198.2012.05.109
- [9]Zhao, F., Qin, H., & Ji, J. (2025). Application of an online optical cable monitoring system in railway signal safety data networks. Wireless Internet Technology, 22(9), 52-55.
- [10]Li, Y. (2014). Safety protection of railway optical communication systems using an intelligent optical fiber protection module. Technology Innovation and Application, (26), 72. https://doi.org/10.19981/j.cn23-1581/g3.2014.26.061
- [11]Liu, A. (2012). Application of optical communication in railway sections. Information & Communications, (5), 178-179.
- [12]Dong, S., Zeng, Z.-Z., Zhang, D.-T., Sun, Z.-Q., & Wang, J.-Y. (2025). Coverage analysis of a 5G intelligent high-speed railway system based on beamwidth-adaptive free-space optical communication. Sensors, 25(16), 4906. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25164906
- [13]Wang, G., Song, D., Pang, Z., Wang, F., Dai, H., Li, W., & Wang, B. (2025). Laser interferometry for high-speed railway health inspection using telecom fiber along the line. Nature Communications, 16(1), 4129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59507-6
- [14]Hu, Z., Luo, B., Pan, W., & Huang, C. (2013). Research on the application of optical time-division multiplexing in railway section optical communication systems. Journal of the China Railway Society, 35(6), 48-52. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-8360.2013.06.008
- [15]Yu, H. (2020). Analysis and prospects of wireless optical communication technology. Telecom Power Technology, 37(12), 138-140. https://doi.org/10.19399/j.cnki.tpt.2020.12.046
- [16] Author Biography
- [17] Tiancheng Chen (2007-), male, undergraduate student majoring in Electrical Engineering and Automation, College of Control and Information Engineering, Northeast Forestry University.
