Passengers will be able to watch ultra-high-definition videos or play online games on their smartphones while traveling at speeds of 1,000 km/h aboard future high-speed trains.
The world’s largest research facility for maglev trains operating in a vacuum tube has begun high-speed propulsion tests with full-sized prototype vehicles. Although still under development, China’s new generation of high-speed trains is expected to operate faster than any commercial airliner through a near-vacuum tube using magnetic levitation, according to Interesting Engineering.
Simulation image of China’s 1,000 km/h maglev train. (Photo: New Atlas)
Currently, high-speed trains in China operate at 350 km/h, providing 5G connectivity through telecommunications units, maintaining connections even in long tunnels. However, maintaining high-speed communication between mobile phones and base stations becomes extremely challenging at speeds approaching the speed of sound. This is due to the rapid changes in signal frequency as the phone moves closer to or farther from the base station. High-speed data transmission relies heavily on a stable high-frequency signal. Installing and maintaining base stations in a near-vacuum tube is also quite difficult. If an antenna falls off due to vibrations, it can pose a serious threat to the fast-moving train.
The research team, led by Professor Song Tiecheng at the National Mobile Connectivity Laboratory at Southeast University, discovered that placing two parallel cables on the inner wall of the tube could resolve the base station installation issue. These special cables can emit electromagnetic signals and establish a continuous, stable connection between smartphones and mobile service providers.
By employing effective encoding techniques and adjusting several key signal parameters, it is possible to mitigate disturbances caused by frequency shifts. Initial computer simulations have tested the method and demonstrated that this solution can maintain stable communication quality throughout the data exchange process compliant with popular 5G standards.
A team of engineers from the Electromagnetic Propulsion and Maglev Department of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation is also involved in the research. This corporation has established the world’s largest research facility for maglev trains operating in a vacuum tube in Datong, Shanxi Province, and has begun high-speed propulsion testing with full-sized prototype vehicles.
Currently, many Chinese cities are seeking government permits to construct the world’s first commercial vacuum tube maglev train system. This revolutionary mode of transportation was proposed by Elon Musk. Similar technologies could also be used to propel spacecraft into space at lower costs. However, Musk postponed the project last year due to technical and financial difficulties.
