MEN Mikro Elektronik - Embedded Computer Systems for Rugged Environments

Since 1982, MEN has been developing and producing modular standard and custom board-level solutions qualified for highly reliable operation in mobile and industrial embedded applications. Today, the company has over 160 employees.

The standard product range contains over 100 different standard computer boards and systems based on different PowerPC and Pentium platforms, and supported by VxWorks, QNX, Linux and Windows:

• ESM – Embedded System Modules
• PCI-104 modules
• 6U and 3U VMEbus and CompactPCI or CompactPCI Express
• M-Modules – industrial mezzanine I/O standard for all platforms
• PMC and PC-MIP – PCI based mezzanine standards for computer I/O
• Fieldbus interfaces and gateways based on CANopen, MVB, WTB and Profinet

The products are used as control, measuring, test or simulation computers in the transportation (railways, ships, buses, commercial vehicles), automotive, mechanical engineering, aerospace, medical, military engineering and telecommunications industries.

COMPUTING SOLUTIONS AROUND EN 50155 RAILWAY STANDARDS

MEN computer equipment is currently in use for vital locomotive and driverless subway control functions, on-train safety and communication management, tilting control, on-train and stationary information and entertainment systems. Our products are also used in electronic interlocking blocks (railway signalling), control and measuring functions in track-laying and maintenance vehicles, test computers for subways and streetcars, and station and track management systems.

STANDARD HARDWARE PLATFORMS

Most of the standard CompactPCI, VMEbus and PCI-104 boards as well as the ESM – Embedded System Modules are available for an operation temperature of -40ºC to +85°C, either screened or with qualified components. CPU cards have special heat sinks and allow fan-less operation of the system. All boards have passed additional shock and vibration tests in the company's own environmental laboratory and are prepared for coating against humidity, dust, salt fog or chemicals. Single-board computers are based on Intel (Core 2 Duo, Core Duo, Pentium M, Pentium III, Xeon) or PowerPC (MPC5200B, MPC8548, MPC8540 / 60, MPC8245) processors.

FLEXIBLE AND INDEPENDENT WITH FPGA TECHNOLOGY

MEN has developed a wide range of IP cores to realise application-specific functions in FPGA with minimum cost effort and an optimum time to market. FPGA technology is indispensable wherever long-term availability or harsh industrial environments are involved. IP cores per se are not threatened by discontinuation, even if for instance an FPGA component is replaced by a newer one after ten years. In addition, the Cyclone types from Altera are qualified for an operation temperature of -40ºC to +85°C right from the start.

SYSTEM SOLUTIONS AND PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY

Besides standard 19in solutions MEN develops custom computer systems like human-machine interfaces, panel computers and DIN-rail computers. If required, the systems work without forced air-cooling, using technologies like conduction cooling.

I/O BOARDS FOR CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION

Standard mezzanine cards like M-Modules, PMCs and PC-MIPs are used to expand the functionality of a CPU board in a modular and flexible way. They can be plugged on (intelligent) CompactPCI, VMEbus or stand-alone carrier boards. Pure railway-based I/O functions comprise, for example, digital input modules with a wide input voltage range of 0V to 155V.

FIELDBUS SOLUTIONS

Standardised profiles like the CANopen, MVB Multifunction Vehicle Bus and WTB Wire Train Bus application and communication profiles for rail vehicle control simplify system integration and maintenance. MEN offers interface and gateway boards based on these and other fieldbus or industrial Ethernet standards.

Electronic components in railway applications have to conform to the most rigid safety levels, combined with the most rugged environmental requirements. Because of the danger to human life and high downtime costs, reliability must be predictable, regular maintenance must not be required and batteries are not allowed. Thus, only the highest quality in development and production guarantees a reliable product for an operation period of up to 20 years.