High Speed Electronics and Connectivity in the Modern Locomotive (1)

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High Speed Electronics and Connectivity in the
Modern Locomotive
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Today, developed and developing economies have
mature as well as fast-growing rail networks
running on the latest propulsion and signaling
technologies, including high speed rail. Private
and public rail operators purchase equipment from
rail vendors and carry out supervision,
operation, monitoring, and maintenance of trains
and routes through their dispatch centers. 
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Trains, once a byproduct of the industrial
revolution, have evolved over 150 years to meet
the fourth generation of industrial requirements
known as Industry 4.0 aided by electronics and
computerized automation.  Locomotives with
built-in computers and advanced displays allow
the engineer to monitor critical parameters like
speed, temperature, and brake/oil pressure.  
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On the coach side, train servers use Ethernet to
control passenger infotainment like public
address system, displays, WiFi, charger ports,
and video entertainment.  These servers also
manage lighting, HVAC, surveillance cameras,
video recorders, conductor ZYPADs, and auxiliary
services like automated doors, passenger
counters, and GPS.  They also pass
locomotive-related parameters like regenerative
braking and hotel power, which is about providing
power for heating, lighting, and electrical needs
of the train. 
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Track-side signaling cabinets and on-track
interlock switches communicate with the train
using GSM-R, a wireless protocol having a
rail-specific spectrum.  GSM-R also allows
signals to clearly pass from locomotive to end
coach and back, regardless of travel speed.
5G is expected to replace GSM-R in the coming
years. Combined with IoT it will offer better
collision avoidance and predictive maintenance
capabilities. 
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The DIN 41612 high temperature backplane
connector meets the fire safety standards of the
locomotive control cabinet (NFF F1, I2 and EN
45545 certified).  Rugged and harsh
environment USB 2.0, Modular Jacks, D-Subs,
and circular connectors bring seamless
connectivity to vibration-prone loco computers,
event recorders, and digital cameras.
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Inside coaches, passenger access modules
contain micro-SIM cards, Network Video Recorders
have SATA 3.0 SSDs, infotainment displays and HMI
contain FPC, board-to-board, and wire-to-board con
nectors, and mobile charging ports are mainly USB
3.0 Type C.
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Dispatch centers running the high speed Ethernet
10GBase-T use input-output connectors like USB
3.1, DisplayPort, and HDMI, as well as backplane
and mezzanine connectors like AirMax, Lynx,
and Lynx QD. 
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Rail equipment undergoes extended design cycles,
with a guaranteed life of about 60 to 70 years. 
With increasing ridership and a positive economic
outlook, the thriving rail business presents an
opportunity as well as a challenge for technology
providers to play their part and offer their best.
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