Balise Reader for a faster ETCS roll-out
Visit us at Booth 440, Hall 2.2 at the InnoTrans 2026!
The digital railway requires precise data and straightforward integration. But how can balises be monitored efficiently and the data utilised for research and development? With a highly flexible ETCS balise reader, such as the one developed by researchers at the DLR.
As the future railway control and safety technology, ETCS forms the backbone of digitised railway operations. It is being rolled out across the board in accordance with EU legislation. A key component is balises, millions of which are set to be installed on Europe’s railways in the future. It must be made easier to monitor their operational integrity. Furthermore, research and development require access to the balise data outside the ETCS system. The advanced balise reader developed by the Institute of Transport Systems offers a wide range of functions and simple interfaces for integration into measurement and research trains. In this way, it supports the accelerated roll-out of ETCS, reduces costs and improves safety on the railways.
Current technologies, in particular software-defined radio, provide the basis for analysing ETCS radio signals at short range. The integration of balise information provides a precise validation option for many projects, for example for positioning. Its unique selling point lies in the combination of technical precision and high ease of integration for external applications.
The balise reader makes a significant contribution to accelerating the roll-out of ETCS in the private sector and among public authorities. These benefit from a robust monitoring capability for critical railway infrastructure in accordance with EU requirements.
The balise reader is already in use in various projects run by national and european infrastructure operators.