Kontron - Embedded Computer Systems for Real-Time Rail Applications

Kontron has built up a solid base of experience in the engineering, developing, certifying and manufacturing of real-time embedded systems for the public transportation market. Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products, and half and full custom design, are successfully used to satisfy customers' requirements, with focus on time-to-market reduction.

Kontron works with selected partners to ensure that standards (ISO9001, EN50155, SIL-4, etc.) are strictly adhered to. Regular audit checks are organised to secure the quality of all parts. Kontron Transportation benefits from the entire R&D, industrial and financial resources of Kontron, which, with over 2,900 employees, is a world leader in the embedded computing market.

Embedded computers for rail projects

Kontron has been involved with the deliveries of embedded computers in the following key projects:

• Autorail Grande Capacité (AGC)
• East TGV, Autorail (CFD)
• French TGV East (Automatic train of Lille)
• Virgin's Voyager
• Electrostar, Turbostar
• Meridian
• Pioneer
• ILTOR-2 (remote control)
• WT U2 and MOR-3 (SIL-4 system)

Expertise in embedded systems

• Standards: CompactPCI, VME, Panel PC, Embedded IPC, BoxPCs, Computer-On-Modules, PC/104
• Services: project management, custom hardware designs, lifecycle management
• Windows® XP, Windows XP embedded, Windows CE, LINUX, VxWorks, QNX
• Traditional fieldbus networks (Profibus, CANbus, LON and Ethernet)
• Specialised railway buses (e.g. MVB and WTB)
• IP switch concept
• 24V or 110V power supply for railways
• Communication interfaces: GSM / GPRS / GPS and UMTS; seat reservation system (SRS); tailor-made internet solutions; antennas
• Wireless communications for fixed and mobile parts - traffic light synchronisation, platform door synchronisation and passenger information system synchronisation

Railways environment requirements

The EN50155 standard for electronic railroad applications places heavy demands, beyond simple operational characteristics, on COTS-based equipment. The standard assumes that electronic systems on trains will need to operate 24 hours a day for 30 years, or approximately 250,000 hours, without failure. This means that train control systems must be designed to withstand the toughest environmental conditions: extended temperature ranges (-40°C to +85°C), humidity, vibrations and power fluctuations. Even heat build-up and therefore energy absorption have to stay within narrow ranges. Failure-prone fans are prohibited in train electronics and only passive cooling technologies are permitted.

COTS modules for real-time embedded computer systems

The use of COTS modules for embedded railways solutions offers two major advantages. The first one is economic; as the products are issued from generic standard developments, the NRE will be drastically reduced. At the same time, as the COTS production is also based on high volume, it will decrease the recurring costs as well.

The second advantage is that using COTS products based on standard products already in the market will secure long-term availability for the same functionalities. By controlling the full chain of the components that serve as parts of the customer's dedicated systems or subsystems, Kontron is in a very strong position.