ALSTOM - ONIX™ Invisible Traction Systems and AGATE™ Electronic Systems

ALSTOM is the leading supplier of products, services, and systems to both urban and main line rail transport providers around the world. The company offers its customers full ranges of rolling stock and equipment, and among the extensive range of products and services available, are our ONIX™ (traction systems), and AGATE™ (electronics) product ranges.

ALSTOM in transport has over 25,000 employees in over 60 countries worldwide, and annual sales which exceed 3.5 billion Euros.

ONIX™ - THE INVISIBLE TRACTION SYSTEM

ALSTOM was the first company to introduce IGBT traction systems to the rail industry. ONIX™ uses a combination of simplified design and advanced technology, allowing a 50% reduction in volume, a 30% reduction in weight, and a 33% improvement in life cycle costs. In addition, reliability is improved by 50% over the previous generation of traction systems. ONIX™ ’s compact, lightweight structure also allows for significant reductions in maintenance costs and energy consumption.

The truest testimonial is of course market share: ALSTOM has achieved a 60% market share worldwide, with over 5300 units either in operation, or on order.

A CHOICE OF COOLING SOLUTIONS

The use of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) advanced technology on ALSTOM’s ONIX™ inverter provides a wide choice of cooling systems. These include:

• Natural air-cooling: uses the airflow created by train movements and eliminates the use of a fan.
• Forced air-cooling: uses a fan to generate a constant cooling airflow over the earthed side of the panel.
• Forced air-cooling with a heat pipe: uses a fan to generate a constant cooling airflow. This system offers a reduction in both weight and volume.
• Water-cooling offers increased power, with the greatest reduction in weight and volume. The inverter is mounted on a water-cooled heat exchanger and the heat is then dissipated in a remote radiator.

Despite this wide range of cooling systems, the future market tendency is likely to be towards water cooling, as it is the most cost-effective solution.

SUCCESS STORIES

• CITADIS™ low floor tram, France/Ireland
• Singapore Metro NE Line

AGATE™ - THE CYBER REFERENCE IN RAILWAY ON-BOARD ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

The AGATE™ range of products offers integrated hi-tech electronic solutions to cover all control, monitoring, and communication needs.

• Propulsion and braking control
• Control of auxiliary converters and battery chargers
• Train control and monitoring systems
• Radio communications and vehicle localisation
• Passenger information and entertainment systems
• Maintenance of on-board electronic systems for the complete life-cycle of the equipment

AGATE™ LINK - DRIVING ASSISTANCE AND TRAIN SUPERVISION

Manages and supervises the on-board electrical train functions (doors, heating, ventilation, air-cooling, lighting, etc.).

AGATE™ CONTROL- TRACTION AND BRAKING CONTROL

AGATE™ Control controls in real time traction motors and generates braking orders. AGATE™ Control is available for asynchronous traction chains and for DC drives controlled by choppers or camshafts.

AGATE™ AUX - AUXILIARY CONVERTERS CONTROL

AGATE™ Aux provides the main control functions for rolling stock static converters and battery chargers.

AGATE™ MEDIA- PASSENGER INFORMATION, SAFETY AND SERVICE

AGATE™ Media is the perfect answer for network operators looking to provide their customers with information, safety, and service.

SUCCESS STORIES

• AGATE™ LINK - Singapore, North East Line Metro
• AGATE™ CONTROL - 'ACEZA' on USA's North East Corridor High-Speed Train
• AGATE™ AUX - Santiago Metro, Chile
• AGATE™ MEDIA - Arlanda Trains, Sweden