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Westermo launches Wi-Fi 7 access points for onboard rail
New rugged wireless platforms support high-density passenger connectivity and mission-critical train systems under certified railway operating conditions.
www.westermo.com
Wi-Fi 7 railway access points Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520.
For onboard rail networks, wireless infrastructure must combine high throughput with deterministic performance and compliance with railway standards. Westermo introduced two Wi-Fi 7 access points designed to address rising data volumes from passenger services and onboard systems while operating reliably in harsh rolling stock environments.
Wi-Fi 7 enters onboard rail communications
The Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520 are based on the IEEE 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 standard, which extends wireless capacity through wider channels, higher-order modulation, and simultaneous multi-band operation. These mechanisms are particularly relevant for rail applications where multiple services—passenger Wi-Fi, operational data, diagnostics, and video—share the same wireless infrastructure.
The Ibex-1520 is a dual-band access point operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It supports 2x2 MU-MIMO, Multi-Link Operation, and up to 512 connected clients per radio, making it suitable for moderate passenger densities and mixed operational use cases.
The Ibex-3520 targets higher data density scenarios. It adds simultaneous operation in the 6 GHz band, enabling tri-band connectivity with channel bandwidths of up to 320 MHz. Combined with 4096-QAM modulation and Multi-Link Operation, this configuration increases aggregate throughput and reduces latency, which is critical for crowded passenger coaches and data-intensive onboard applications.
Positioning for passenger and operational data traffic
Both access points integrate Bluetooth 5.2 and GNSS functionality. GNSS provides location data that can be used by onboard systems for fleet monitoring, condition-based maintenance, or location-aware passenger services. Bluetooth support enables additional use cases such as local device connectivity or asset tracking inside rolling stock.
Typical applications include passenger internet access, remote diagnostics, data offloading at depots, and wireless connectivity for Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS). By consolidating these services on a single Wi-Fi 7 platform, operators can reduce system complexity while increasing available bandwidth.
Designed for certified railway environments
The Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520 were developed to comply with established railway standards, including EN 50155 for electronic equipment on rolling stock and EN 45545-2 for fire protection. These certifications address electrical safety, thermal behavior, vibration resistance, and fire performance, which are mandatory for onboard deployment.
From a mechanical and environmental standpoint, both devices feature a metal enclosure with IP66 ingress protection, operation across a temperature range from –40 °C to +70 °C, and robust M12 connectors. Protection against vibration, humidity, and electromagnetic interference is supported by design elements such as high-level electrical isolation and a GORE-TEX® membrane to mitigate internal condensation. These characteristics are essential for maintaining wireless availability over long service intervals.
Security and lifecycle considerations
Security mechanisms include support for WPA2 and WPA3 encryption, 802.1X authentication with RadSec, and persistent security logging. The access points run on the IbexOS operating system, which is maintained through regular security updates to address vulnerabilities over the product lifecycle.
The compact form factor and integrated functionality are intended to simplify installation in space-constrained vehicles and reduce lifecycle costs. Both models underwent EMC and safety testing to ensure stable operation alongside other onboard electronic systems.
By combining Wi-Fi 7 performance features with railway-certified hardware and security mechanisms, Westermo positioned the Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520 as wireless infrastructure components aligned with the increasing bandwidth and reliability requirements of modern rail vehicles.
www.westermo.com
For onboard rail networks, wireless infrastructure must combine high throughput with deterministic performance and compliance with railway standards. Westermo introduced two Wi-Fi 7 access points designed to address rising data volumes from passenger services and onboard systems while operating reliably in harsh rolling stock environments.
Wi-Fi 7 enters onboard rail communications
The Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520 are based on the IEEE 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 standard, which extends wireless capacity through wider channels, higher-order modulation, and simultaneous multi-band operation. These mechanisms are particularly relevant for rail applications where multiple services—passenger Wi-Fi, operational data, diagnostics, and video—share the same wireless infrastructure.
The Ibex-1520 is a dual-band access point operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It supports 2x2 MU-MIMO, Multi-Link Operation, and up to 512 connected clients per radio, making it suitable for moderate passenger densities and mixed operational use cases.
The Ibex-3520 targets higher data density scenarios. It adds simultaneous operation in the 6 GHz band, enabling tri-band connectivity with channel bandwidths of up to 320 MHz. Combined with 4096-QAM modulation and Multi-Link Operation, this configuration increases aggregate throughput and reduces latency, which is critical for crowded passenger coaches and data-intensive onboard applications.
Positioning for passenger and operational data traffic
Both access points integrate Bluetooth 5.2 and GNSS functionality. GNSS provides location data that can be used by onboard systems for fleet monitoring, condition-based maintenance, or location-aware passenger services. Bluetooth support enables additional use cases such as local device connectivity or asset tracking inside rolling stock.
Typical applications include passenger internet access, remote diagnostics, data offloading at depots, and wireless connectivity for Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS). By consolidating these services on a single Wi-Fi 7 platform, operators can reduce system complexity while increasing available bandwidth.
Designed for certified railway environments
The Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520 were developed to comply with established railway standards, including EN 50155 for electronic equipment on rolling stock and EN 45545-2 for fire protection. These certifications address electrical safety, thermal behavior, vibration resistance, and fire performance, which are mandatory for onboard deployment.
From a mechanical and environmental standpoint, both devices feature a metal enclosure with IP66 ingress protection, operation across a temperature range from –40 °C to +70 °C, and robust M12 connectors. Protection against vibration, humidity, and electromagnetic interference is supported by design elements such as high-level electrical isolation and a GORE-TEX® membrane to mitigate internal condensation. These characteristics are essential for maintaining wireless availability over long service intervals.
Security and lifecycle considerations
Security mechanisms include support for WPA2 and WPA3 encryption, 802.1X authentication with RadSec, and persistent security logging. The access points run on the IbexOS operating system, which is maintained through regular security updates to address vulnerabilities over the product lifecycle.
The compact form factor and integrated functionality are intended to simplify installation in space-constrained vehicles and reduce lifecycle costs. Both models underwent EMC and safety testing to ensure stable operation alongside other onboard electronic systems.
By combining Wi-Fi 7 performance features with railway-certified hardware and security mechanisms, Westermo positioned the Ibex-1520 and Ibex-3520 as wireless infrastructure components aligned with the increasing bandwidth and reliability requirements of modern rail vehicles.
www.westermo.com
