Full steam ahead for Poland’s railways

“On large projects like ILTOR-2 that require a variety of different embedded boards and platforms, OEMs are constantly looking for ways to relieve the project management burden”
-Ingrid Einsiedler, Marketing Manager at Kontron

In a drive to modernize the country's transportation infrastructure, the Polish authorities are upgrading the electronics on the railways with a new control system based on state-of-the-art embedded computer technology. The new system, called ILTOR-2, is already in place on some routes and improves the speed, quality, reliability and safety of railway transportation for both passengers and goods. This major project is a co-operation between the Warsaw University of Technology, Siemens Sp zo.o. in Poland and Kontron and is an excellent example of the growing trend towards embedded vendors that offer not only embedded computer components, but also the engineering and manufacturing services for providing complete, tailor-made platforms based on different embedded computing standards from a single source.

Modular design for maximum flexibility

ILTOR-2 is split into two broad control levels - a management level for visualization, high level control and diagnostics and a field/automation level control system that is responsible for carrying out fundamental technical control functions as well as obtaining information on the status and location of rolling stock. A modular system design based on standard components is used at each level. This not only simplifies and accelerates future system expansion but also gives ILTOR-2 a tremendous amount of versatility: Different modules can be implemented or omitted as required, enabling the system to be quickly and cost-effectively adapted for use on main lines and branch lines as well as urban transport systems such as trams and metros.

VME bus for field control

The modular design dictates the use of different embedded hardware platforms for implementing the individual modules. For field level control, Kontron delivered several embedded computing racks containing multiple 3U VME CPU and I/O boards. The racks are located in the unmanned remote control centers that are responsible for up to 10 control points (level crossings, signals, points etc.) along a designated section of track. They collect and process information on the position and speed of the trains as well as the status of lights, signals and points etc. from wayside sensors and automatically change the status of control points as required. The VME systems also act as interfaces between the control points and the Siemens interlocking system that are connected via Profibus. As well as Profibus interfaces, the VME systems also provide Gigabit Ethernet ports for cross-protocol communication and full network integration, enabling field level parameters to be transmitted to the dispatch centers at the management and control level. Transmission is via fibre optic cables as well as twisted pair cables to provide the redundancy and back up transmission required for rail transportation systems.

CompactPCI^® platforms for management level

Whereas the remote control centers are responsible for the route protection, the dispatch centers are responsible for the dispatching. For the dispatch centers, Kontron supplied multiple units of its rugged 3U CompactPCI® CP-Pocket platform as well as KISS 4U Silent Industrial Servers. The Kontron CP-Pockets are used for operating and monitoring purposes, enabling operators to graphically follow the movement of rolling stock and enter commands to adjust control points. Kontron equipped the versatile CompactPCI^® platforms with the right combination of processor boards, graphic controllers and Fast Ethernet controllers from its own portfolio to suit the specific requirements of the visualization, processing and communication tasks.

Advanced diagnostics

For system diagnostics, Kontron delivered multiple KISS 4U industrial servers based on a Kontron PICMG^® 1.3 slot CPU board. With their shock protected drive bays and hot swappable fans that contribute to a MTBF of more than 50,000 hours, the Kontron KISS servers are the ideal complement to the rugged VME and CompactPCI^® boards and systems. Connected to the system via Ethernet and capable of supporting multiple monitors, the KISS servers are continuously online and enable technicians to graphically monitor all system parameters. Unlike most diagnostic systems that offer only online functionality, the KISS based system is able to store and recall historical parameter information for faster trouble shooting and minimal system downtime which adds to overall system safety.

Everything from a single source

On large projects like ILTOR-2 that require a variety of different embedded boards and platforms, OEMs are constantly looking for ways to relieve the project management burden. This is why Siemens Sp zo.o. in Poland wanted to work together with a single partner capable of delivering all boards and fully integrated platforms from a single source. This not only simplifies project management, enabling Siemens Sp zo.o. to concentrate fully on their core competences, but also ensures faster time to delivery for the ILTOR-2 hardware platforms. Moreover, Kontron had already developed and delivered a VME and CompactPCI^® based system for the Warsaw Metro and so had the experience required for tailoring a system to the specific needs of the Polish railways.

System testing

In addition to supplying the embedded hardware platforms, Kontron also works closely with Siemens on the 3 stages of rigorous system testing. When each new hardware platform is delivered, Kontron and Siemens technicians conduct initial functional tests with simulated input data to ensure correct hardware functionality. The tests take place at the specially constructed Siemens test center in Poland. The second phase is functional testing in the presence of the Polish National Safety Authority to obtain the required national certification. After passing this Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), the system is ready for the final test phase - field testing.

ILTOR-2 has already passed the field test phase and is up and running on selected sections of track. Thanks to the modular design based on standard, proven components from a single source supplier, Poland now has a cost-effective, state-of-the-art embedded control system that is well set to meet the various needs of its railway infrastructure, both today and well into the future.

About Kontron

Kontron designs and manufactures standard-based and custom embedded and communications solutions for OEMs, systems integrators, and application providers in a variety of markets. Kontron engineering and manufacturing facilities, located throughout Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, work together with streamlined global sales and support services to help customers reduce their time-to-market and gain a competitive advantage. Kontron's diverse product portfolio includes: boards and mezzanines, Computer-on-Modules, HMIs and displays, systems, and custom capabilities. Kontron is a Premier member of the Intel® Embedded and Communications Alliance. The company is a recent three-time VDC Platinum vendor for Embedded Computer Boards. Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com.

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