Frequently Asked Questions
Our frequently asked questions provide clear and concise information about EKE-Electronics’ solutions and services. This section covers topics related to Train Control and Management Systems and SIL safety applications, and support for both new build and refurbishment projects. If you do not find the information you need, please contact us directly—we are here to help.
Train Control and Management System (TCMS)
What is TCMS?
A Train Control and Management System (TCMS) supervises, controls, and monitors onboard functions, serving as the train’s central nervous system. TCMS automates train subsystem management by collecting and analysing data such as speed, braking, and system status. It issues real-time commands and warnings to operators, crew, and passengers while enabling remote monitoring to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
What is a TCN?
A TCN or Train Communication Network facilitates information exchange throughout the train, using a Vehicle Bus for intra-vehicle communication and a Train Bus for train-wide connectivity. The TCN typically consists of interconnected train computers, or Gateways, linked to various subsystems.
What kinds of TCN architectures can EKE-Electronics implement?
EKE-Trainnet® solutions are highly versatile, allowing for the implementation of various Train Communication Network (TCN) architectures to meet different operational and technical requirements. Below are examples of possible architectures, illustrating the range of configurations we can provide. These examples do not cover every possibility but demonstrate the flexibility and scalability of our solutions.
- WTB-MVB standard bus redundancy, no redundant I/O
- Ethernet-WTB-MVB
- Dual Homing TRDP Ethernet
- Dual Homing TRDP Ethernet-WTB-MVB Hybrid
- Ethernet-MVB Hybrid
Go to our TCMS page to learn more about our TCN architectures.
What are alternative names for TCMS?
TCMS (Train Control and Management System) is sometimes referred to by other names, depending on the manufacturer or region. Common alternatives include:
- MDS (Monitoring and Diagnostic System)
- DTS (Distributed Train System)
- TIMS (Train Information Management System)
- TMS (Train Management System)
- VTMS (Vehicle Train Management System)
- TCIS (Train Control and Information System)
- ITS (Intelligent Train System).
While these terms may have slight differences in meaning, they generally refer to onboard control and monitoring systems for trains.
What is a Software Development Environment?
A software development environment is designed to facilitate the development of software applications. It provides programmers with all the necessary tools, features, and resources needed to write, test, debug, and deploy software efficiently.
What is Cybersecurity for TCMS?
Cybersecurity for TCMS (Train Control and Management Systems) refers to the practices, technologies, and strategies employed to protect TCMS from cyber threats and attacks. It ensures the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and system functions critical to train operations. This includes safeguarding the communication networks, software, and hardware components of the TCMS from unauthorised access, malware, and other vulnerabilities, ultimately maintaining safe and reliable train operation.
Automatic Selective Train Operation (ASDO)
What is Automatic Selective Door Operation (ASDO)?
Automatic Selective Door Operation (ASDO) is a train door control system that automatically controls train doors at each station stop by checking train location and platform configuration to ensure only safe doors open, improving passenger safety and comfort.
How does ASDO work?
The Automatic Selective Door Operation system begins by verifying the platform configuration to ensure that doors open only at the correct locations. It uses odometry, in conjunction with GNSS and data from the ASDO Station Database, to locate the train and identify the station. This information determines the number of doors to open and on which side(s) of the train. If necessary, balises or beacons can also be utilised.
What is an ASDO Station Database?
The ASDO Station Database contains essential infrastructure details like stations and platforms. This database builds the “station network” for Automatic Selective Door Operation usage and can be easily updated by operators to reflect changes such as track renewals, new routes, or stopping patterns.
What is Selective Door Operation (SDO)?
The crew manually selects the doors that can be safely opened.
What is Corrective Side Door Enabling (CSDE)?
Correct Side Door Enabling is a train door control system that ensures that train doors open on the correct side of the train at each station platform. This is important for passenger safety and comfort, as passengers need to be able to easily access the train without having to cross over the tracks.
What positioning solutions are available for ASDO?
We offer multiple Automatic Selective Door Operation options to address diverse needs.
- Odometry with GNSS,
- Balises/beacons and
- Odometry.
This flexibility allows us to adapt to various operational scenarios, recognising our customers’ unique preferences and constraints.
Hot Axle Box Detection (HABD)
What is Hot Axle Box Detection (HABD)?
A hot axle box detection (HABD) system is a device used to monitor the temperature of the axle boxes on train wheels and/or gearboxes to check for overheating bearings, which could potentially lead to mechanical failures or even fires. These can be wayside or on-board systems.
How does HABD work?
The Hot Axle Box Detection system is an essential safety feature in railway operations, designed to monitor and prevent overheating in axle boxes and gearboxes. The system operates through a series of precise steps:
- Temperature sensors: Sensors measure the axle box and gear box temperatures.
- Calculate average temperature: The temperature is measured ten times per second. The ten second average is used for calculation.
- Assess the temperature level: The temperature is assessed to determine if it has crossed one of the four thresholds.
- Alarm or action: A notification is issued if the temperature has exceeded one of the four thresholds either giving an alarm or to undertake a given action such as triggering the train emergency stop.
Why measure bearing temperature?
Failed bearings on rolling stocks present important safety risks, potentially leading to catastrophic events such as derailment or fire.
A rise in the heat generated by a bearing is found to be a good predictive diagnostic of a bearing about to fail. Thus, monitoring the hot axle box bearing temperature enables detection of bearings presenting a risk of failure. Acceptable temperatures and temperature variations are set: any value deviating from the norms will trigger alarms and, potentially, actions to guarantee safety.
What is the difference between wayside (trackside) and onboard monitoring?
Wayside monitoring uses trackside detectors to measure axle box temperatures when a train passes, providing single-point data. Onboard monitoring continuously tracks axle box temperatures in real time, enabling early fault detection and train-specific customisation.
Lateral Acceleration Monitoring
What are lateral vibrations?
Lateral vibrations in trains are side-to-side oscillations caused by track irregularities, wheel-rail interactions, suspension system dynamics, and external forces like crosswinds. These vibrations can affect ride comfort, increase wear on components, and, in extreme cases, impact stability.
Learn more about EKE-Electronics Lateral Acceleration Monitoring.
What is Lateral Acceleration Monitoring?
Lateral acceleration monitoring (LAM) on trains involves measuring the lateral forces experienced by the train as it moves along the track, allowing for the assessment of the train’s stability and adherence to safety parameters during curves, switches, or other track conditions that may induce lateral forces.
Learn more about EKE-Electronics Lateral Acceleration Monitoring.
Why should you monitor Lateral Acceleration Monitoring?
Monitoring lateral vibrations is essential to ensure passenger comfort, safety, and train performance. Excessive lateral oscillations can lead to hunting instability, increasing the risk of derailment. Unchecked vibrations accelerate wear on wheels, rails, and suspension components, leading to higher maintenance costs and reduced system reliability. Continuous monitoring allows for early detection of track or vehicle issues, enabling proactive maintenance and optimising ride quality.
Learn more about EKE-Electronics Lateral Acceleration Monitoring.
How does Lateral Acceleration Monitoring work?
Vibrations can have multiple sources, including engines, suspensions, wheelsets, tracks etc. Accelerometer sensors can be placed in the bogie or on the car body. As the train travels, the vibrations measured by these sensors are processed. Should these vibration measurements trigger the threshold values, an alarm is set.
- Measure: Accelerometers are placed in the axle box or on the car body.
- Convert: The vibration measurements are converted into lateral acceleration values, providing quantifiable data on the train’s lateral movement.
- Assess: The lateral movements are assessed to determine if they have exceeded the criteria for acceptable lateral accelerations.
- Alarm set: An alarm is set to either notify maintenance teams about abnormalities or even automatically stop the train in case of immediate danger.
Learn more about EKE-Electronics Lateral Acceleration Monitoring.
Can Lateral Acceleration Monitoring be used for track condition monitoring?
Lateral Acceleration Monitoring may also provide insight to identify track damages when equipped with a GPS or other positioning system.
Vigilance Control Systems
What is a Vigilance Control System?
A vigilance control system (VCS) is a safety mechanism designed to monitor the alertness of train operators. Also recognised as the Dead Man’s Switch or Driver Safety Device (DSD). Should the driver fail to react to the alert system, a series of actions are initiated, finally resulting in the train being stopped automatically.
How does a Vigilance Control System work?
The VCS activates upon the train driver signalling their vigilance by engaging a pedal or dedicated button. A predefined schedule, denoted as T1, T2, and T3, dictates the intervals at which the driver must signal their vigilance and specifies the subsequent actions if there is no response.
- System activated: The system is activated when the train is operating above 10 km/h.
- Vigilance notification: The driver must press a button or pedal.
- Alarm light: If there is no activity after T1, the alarm light blinks.
- Alarm bell: If there is no response within T2, the alarm bell rings.
- Emergency brake: If no response within T3, the emergency brake is applied. Automatic braking also engages if the Vigilance Control System loses power.
Do trains require a Vigilance Control System?
While vigilance control systems are not universally mandated, they are a critical safety feature that all rail operators should consider. These systems help prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue, distraction, or incapacitation by continuously monitoring driver activity and triggering alerts or automatic braking when necessary. Many countries and railway networks already require some form of vigilance control, and adopting it voluntarily aligns with international best practices, enhances regulatory compliance, and improves passenger and crew safety. Implementing a vigilance control system also reduces liability risks, supports integration with modern automation technologies, and strengthens public confidence in railway safety.
TCN Gateways
What are TCN Gateways?
Train Communication Network or TCN Gateways are a critical component of a train system. A TCN Gateway is a train computer that acts as a converter between two protocols, allowing data to flow from various subsystems using different bus protocols to ensure that they work together seamlessly.
What are ETCS-TIU Gateways?
An ETCS-TIU (Train Interface Unit) Gateway acts as an interface between the ETCS OBU (On-board Unit) and the existing TCMS. This ensures that legacy fleets can be integrated with the advances being made by the European Train Control System (ETCS) technology.
Vehicle Control Unit
What is a Vehicle Control Unit?
A Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) is a programmable device crucial for smooth train operations, managing and interfacing with various train functions. It interacts with subsystems, performs automatic system functions, executes programmable control applications, interfaces with the Train Communication Network (TCN), monitors and controls train operations, and responds to driver inputs.
Remote Input Output Systems
What are Remote Input Output Systems?
A Remote Input Output (I/O) System is a component of the train’s control and management system (TCMS) that extends the number of available I/O channels of the TCMS. It connects and manages various sensors and controls throughout a train and allows these components to communicate with the train’s main computer without needing a lot of wiring.
Event Recorders
What is an Event Recorder?
An Event Recorder, often referred to as a “train black box” is an on-board data recorder for collecting and storing a wide array of operational data related to the train’s performance and activities. The primary purpose of the event recorder is to capture and store critical information that can be used for accident investigation, safety analysis, and operational reviews.
What is the Train Inspection Program or TIP Tool?
A Train Inspection Program (TIP) is a software tool used for the transfer and analysis of data recorded in the EKE-Trainnet® Event Recorder.
Sustainability
What role does sustainability play in EKE-Electronics?
Our company provides Control management systems to the rail industry. The rail industry itself is an environmentally friendly way of travelling, and we want to improve sustainability also in our own work. We are still quite early in our journey regarding sustainability, but we have already implemented some actions, for example, using renewable energy.
How does EKE-Electronics' products and solutions contribute to sustainability goals?
The lifecycle of our products is long, up to 30 years, which is significantly longer for electronic products. We also offer repair services to our customers instead of immediately replacing products with new ones, thereby reducing the strain on natural resources.
We are also working on improving the energy efficiency of our products and thereby reducing emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of the product.
How do your customers’ sustainability efforts benefit from working with EKE-Electronics?
We want to offer our customers durable and long-lasting products with long commitments and repair services. We also collaborate with our contract suppliers to reduce the emissions of our products. Additionally, we are exploring the possibilities of a circular economy for our products and aim to achieve emission savings for our customers through this approach.
Safety
What is SIL?
SIL or Safety Integrity Levels are defined levels of risk reduction applied to safety-related systems. They are designed to automatically prevent dangerous failures or to control them when they occur. SIL levels range from SIL 1 to SIL 4, with SIL 4 providing the highest level of risk reduction.
For more information, read our blog about implementing SIL for train products.
What are Safety Integrity Levels?
Safety Integrity Level (SIL) is a measure of the reliability and risk reduction capability of safety-related systems. For railway applications, SIL levels are defined by standards such as IEC 61508 and EN 50126/EN 50128/EN 50129.
Software
What is a Software Development Environment?
A software development environment is designed to facilitate the development of software applications. It provides programmers with all the necessary tools, features, and resources needed to write, test, debug, and deploy software efficiently.
What is the Train Inspection Program or TIP Tool?
See explanation under Event Recorders.
Other
Is EKE-Electronics owned by Mitsubishi Electric?
Mitsubishi Electric became an minority shareholder or EKE-Electronics in 2020. As a privately owned company, EKE-Electronics is part of the family-owned EKE Group, where the shareholders are committed to long-term growth, retaining talent, and safeguarding our proprietary expertise. In 2020,
