voestalpine Signalingwww.voestalpine.com/railway-systems

AXLE COUNTING SYSTEM

COULD BE USED AS AN INTERFACE BETWEEN AN EXISTING AND AN UPCOMING INTERLOCKING SYSTEM.

AXLE COUNTING SYSTEM UNIAC [2] EASY ADAPTABLE AND HIGHLYCONFIGURABLE

GENERAL Axle Counter Systems are becoming increasingly popular in the area of track vacancy systems with most rail operators having already installations of Axle Counter Systems or even fully switched to this modern and reliable technique of wheel detection.There are many advantages of using axle counters in comparison to track circuits, for example, lower life cycle costs, higher reliability and better man-agement of long sections, special func-tions and further benefits.

RELAY AND SERIAL (PROTOCOL) INTERFACE

The new voestalpine Axle Counter System UniAC[2] is able to provide information both via a relay interface and via a safe serial interface as well. This ensures that UniAC[2] can be com-bined with every existing and future interlocking system. Even both ways of providing clear and occupied infor-mation can be used at the same time – therefore the UniAC[2] could be used as an interface between an existing and an upcoming interlocking system.

IO INTERFACE

In addition to the standard axle coun-ter functionality, the UniAC[2] pro-vides additional 11 safe digital inputs and 22 safe digital outputs per AXM-IO installed. The IOs can be used to transfer information from one block side to the other (block arguments) using an existing communication sys-tem. It is also possible to read in and put out digital information at every AXM-IO-module on the network that the UniAC[2] system is connected to.

The UniAC[2] provides this function as a standard feature. If required, this special function can be enabled and data is stored on a dedicated stor-age facility connected to the UniAC[2]. Finally, a clear and concise display is integrated on the front of every UniAC[2] AXM multipurpose board. The data displayed there can be cus-tomized to customer needs and lan-guage preferences.

CENTRALIZED AND DECENTRALIZED ARCHITECTURE

Based on the architecture of UniAC[2], both a centralized and decentralized architecture can be easily applied. The operator is not required to rec-ognize the configuration behind his application because the integration of both architectures (centralized and decentralized) is unnoticeable due to the smart implementation of the UniAC[2] system into existing railway signaling systems.

POWERFUL DIAGNOSTIC PART OF

The UniAC[2] incorporates by default powerful diagnostic tools and capabil-ities with monitoring and traceability possibilities believed to be outstand-ing within the area of Axle Counter Systems.

A key innovation is the possibility of fully analyzing an analog wheel sensor signal without the need of any external data logger equipment.

The track sections “clear” and “occu-pied” information is essential for the correct function of an interlocking sys-tem, which uses the safe information from the Axle Counter System to con-firm that a section is clear. Until now interlocking systems mainly use relay and opto-coupler based interfaces to acquire the information sent by the Axle Counter System. Current devel-opments show that new and upcom-ing interlocking systems tend to use a safe protocol interface to exchange information between the Axle Counter System and the interlocking.

STRUCTURE OF THE SYSTEM

The core structure of UniAC[2] is divided into indoor and outdoor parts. The equipment placed internally (i.e. a centralized signal room or decen-tralized concrete distribution station) is represented by the evaluation and counting module AXM. The wheel sen-sor UniAS[2] is used to detect pass-ing wheels on the track. Together with a modular and flexible fixation which is adaptable to every rail type, those parts represent the outdoor equip-ment. The connection between internal and external equipment is established by signal cables.

AXM MULTIPURPOSE BOARD

The new and powerful evaluation and counting module is the core of the new UniAC[2]. The AXM module covers many functions at the same time.

» AXM supplies the wheel sensor with power and captures, evaluates and converts the analog signal into a digital signal. Additionally, every cable fault is detected and an alarm is generated.

» AXM provides 4 independent axle counter units within one module. Each counter can deal with up to 16 counting points. With this numbers of counters, many special functions can be configured without needing additional hard- or software.

» AXM provides speed information of every axle passing a connected wheel sensor. This information can be given forward by protocol or via digital outputs through an AXM module.

» AXM further acts as a communication module when a serial protocol is required.

» AXM can be used to establish communication between railway stations. All transmission medias are allowed to be used due to only a very low bandwidth required (OSI-model – only layer 1 and 2 are used).

» AXM provides cryptography by default. Cryptography is fully integrated into the chosen processors at the hardware level. Advanced Encryption Standard AES with 256-bit key is used.

» AXM provides every required reset behavior forced by subsequent systems and for different system status of the UniAC[2] e.g. after power-up, in block mode, last axle counted in or counted out, and so on.

» AXM is able to acquire additional data from the wheel sensor unit e.g. temperature and loop resistance of the cable, shock and vibration and put it forward to diagnostics systems.

WHEEL SENSORS

The wheel sensor UniAS[2] provides a pluggable cable with a new and flex-ible fixture method to ensure easy mounting. Inside the sensor – new solutions representing state of the art techniques. These include a new coil arrangement, an outstanding temper-ature stability and variable amplifica-tion factor for the desired signal and finally a 20mA signal to provide high immunity against disturbances emit-ted from the vehicles and impacts to any cable.

BACKPLANE

The UniAC[2] is designed with an intel-ligent backplane. The configuration of the AXM multipurpose board is not stored on the module itself but at the slot where a wheel sensor is connect-ed. The significant benefit of this is the possibility of easily exchanging boards. If the intelligent backplane detects an AXM module with an improper con-figuration, the backplane will auto-matically instruct the AXM module to load the proper configuration from the storage at the slot.

THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AXM MULTIPURPOSE BOARD IS NOT STORED ON THE MODULE ITSELF BUT AT THE SLOT WHERE A WHEEL SENSOR IS CONNECTED.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Safety Level CENELEC requirements in accordance with EN 50126, EN 50128,

EN 50129, SIL4 and EN 50159 Class 3

Speed Range 0 km/h to 350 km/h

Dimensions Format 19-inch rack for 100 mm x 160 mm boards

Height 3 height units

Width 42 or 84 modules

Power Supply Voltage 18 V DC to 72 V DC

Power Input 4 W per counting point for standard AXM

Ambience Conditions

Temperature -30°C to +70°C (Indoor equipment)

Humidity up to 100% climate class T1 according to EN 50125-3

Mechanical Stress 20 m/s2 according to EN 50125-3

Electromagnetic compatibility

EN 50121-4

Scope of Application Main Lines, Secondary Lines, Tram Lines, Metros, Shunting Yards, Stations, Block Lines,Level Crossings,High Speed Application, Counting Points.

Interface Relay Interface 2x NC and 2x NO contacts for every counting section – fail safe

Serial Interface via Ethernet – VA-DTDS, SCI-TDS, adapted customer protocols

Opto-coupler 8x input , 8x outputs, PreReset, Reset, Error, Clearing of Track,

Directions, Wheel Sensor-systems, Speed

Special Features AXM 4 counters within one multipurpose board

Every AXM can take over communication to subsequent systems

Configuration based on Application Architect

Various reset procedures configurable

MasterReset Section

20 mA interface, magnetic break filter algorithm

APPLICATION ARCHITECT

A new approach is has been taken to configure the UniAC[2]. Under the slo-gan “From the track layout to the final Application,” the software Application Architect for UniAC[2] was created. Within Application Architect operators are able to:

» Design a track layout » Define counting sections and

counting points » Configure counting sections and

counting points

» Configure Basic Parameter Sets (related to customers and applications)

» Export function: Configuration files for the AXM modules, test vectors for production, simulation vectors (e.g. all possible routes through a railway network)

» Export function: part list, allocation table, power consumption, bandwidth demand, …

» FAT using Remote Access connection to the UniAC[2] system.

Application Architect provides a pow-erful and easy to use GUI. Therefore track layouts can be designed very quickly – even more complex layouts can be created at very short notice.

voestalpine Signaling Poland Sp. z o.o.ul. Jana z Kolna 26c81-859 Sopottel: +48 (58) 555 77 11e-mail: SignalingSopot@voestalpine.com