Wayside communication systems

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Make the most out of your assets with end-to-end solutions from Siemens Mobility – which tap into connectivity, asset monitoring, and data analytics to bridge the gap between your railway’s current operation and a more transparently efficient future.

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Wayside communications package

Efficient and reliable connectivity

Siemens wayside products are used throughout the rail industry to provide critical track occupancy detection and communications. Our cost-effective, robust solutions connect train operations to back-office management. A modular architecture allows for flexible as well as simple installation and maintenance.
VDE 8
Germany

ETCS Level 2 on a new line, VDE 8

  • Traveling time between Berlin and Munich reduced from 6 to 4 hours

  • Increased punctuality on the new VDE 8 line

     

  • Doubled passenger numbers since commissioning in December 2017

S-Bahn Hamburg
Germany

Pioneer automated driving project by Deutsche Bahn and Siemens

  • Highly-automated S-Bahn line to be launched in 2021 

  • 23km stretch between Berliner Tor and Bergedorf to feature highly-automated driving

  • Pilot project for modern mobility: a safer and more reliable railway transportation network

Warnemünde
Germany

An important step toward interlockings in the cloud

  • Will be the second digitally operated interlocking in Germany

  • Siemens as a partner of choice in the project with explicit experience and technical expertise

  • A new first: the interlocking system will be able to transmit IP-based commands to the system’s field elements 

Modular architecture

  • Separate CPU II, DC/DC converter and radio modules simplify system maintenance issues and provide more flexible installation options
  • Optional on-board ladder-logic processing for code system applications

Connectivity

  • RS-232/RS-422 connection option on two client ports
  • High-speed (1.2 Mb/s) client LAN port allows WCP CPU II to directly connect to other vital and non-vital I/O modules concurrently
  • Full duplexer operation at 4,800 baud using GMSK direct FM signaling with extensive error detection and correction
  • Protocol emulation and conversion of many industry standard code-line protocols

Maintenance and logging

  • Front-panel push-button configuration: no laptop needed during routine maintenance
  • Full non-volatile event log built in with real-time clock hardware
  • Outbound RSSI reading provides additional system information of signal strength at WCP location

WCP CPU module

  • Converts Echelon messages to Ethernet messages
  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards and shelves
  • Weight is approx. 4.6 lbs. (2.09 kg)
  • Quiescent power consumption is approx. 295 mA @ 13.8 V
  • Input voltage 10 VDC to 36 VDC
  • 2 RS-232 25 pin connectors
  • DB-9 9 pin connector
  • Cable provided depending on the chosen model 

WCP DC/DC converter with chassis grounding

  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards and shelves
  • Weight is approx. 8 lbs. (3.62 kg) including connectors
  • Input voltage 12 to 36 VDC
  • Output voltage 13.8 VDC
  • Different power ratings available: 200 W maximum

WCP radio

  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards and shelves
  • Weight is approx. 6.4 lbs. (2.9 kg) including connectors
  • Input voltage 10 VDC to 36 VDC
  • Twist connector for radio
  • 935.8875 MHz transmit channel
  • 896.8875 MHz receive channel
  • Ritron DTX 9650 radio
  • Different radio coax and antenna cables available depending on the chosen model
Communications modules

For reliable communications between office and field locations

The Siemens AB switch (53434 series) is normally used in conjunction with two of our 9-port wayside communications controllers/field protocol devices (WCC/FPDs) (53401 series) to provide redundant communication with code lines. The switch and the two connected WCC/FPD units communicate via an Echelon (LonTalk) LAN. The switch constantly checks the health of the WCC/FPDs and, if any problem is detected with the primary unit, the AB switch automatically transfers all lines to the backup unit. All the modules can be easily mounted on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards, or even shelf mounted.

AB switch module

The Siemens AB switch utilizes magnetically-latched relays for line control. In the unlikely event that the switch should fail, the relays will remain latched in the current state and the on-line WCC/FPD unit will continue to operate without interruption. Once the relays are latched in the failed state, a switchover is not possible until the AB switch is once again operational.

 

  • Neuron Echelon 10 MHz
  • Echelon LonTalk port for maintenance
  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards, and shelves
  • Weight is approx. 4.6 lbs. (2.09 kg)
  • 12 RS-232 ports
  • Solid state design
  • Provides automatic fail detection and switch over operation from primary to backup

 

When used in conjunction with the WCC/FPD:

  • Input power 9 VDC – 16 VDC
  • 12 inputs
  • 12 outputs
  • No cable routing bracket

Packet switch module

  • Echelon LonTalk port for maintenance
  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards, and shelves
  • Weight is approx. 4.6 lbs. (2.09 kg)
  • Solid state design
  • Input power 30–80 VDC
  • Supported protocols: ATCS Spec 200, X.25, HDLC-LAPB/LAPD/UI, Genisys/PRCCI, Flexicode, 504/506/514, Datatrain, J&K, E2, MCS1/MCS2/ HDP-3
  • SCS-128 and 2000 A&B

Wayside communication module

Siemens WCC/FPD (53401 series) is a general-purpose communications controller and protocol converter for use in communications systems. It is configured for use through the local diagnostic port and/or remotely via dial-up or LAN/WAN connections. The unit is fully compatible with Siemens ASERVER & WCC MAINT. utilities and can be diagnosed and monitored remotely. Multiple units can be clustered together to perform front-end processing and cluster controller functionally.

 

  • Echelon LonTalk port for maintenance
  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards and shelves
  • Weight is approx. 4.6 lbs. (2.09 kg)
  • Solid state design
  • Input power 10 VDC – 30 VDC
  • Power consumption 10 W
  • 8 inputs
  • 8 outputs
Wayside Communications Manager (WCM)

Consolidated, centralized communications

Siemens Wayside Communications Manager (WCM) allows end users to consolidate multiple communication and signaling devices operating on public and private communications networks into one centralized communications system.

Simple UI for monitoring and configuration

For control point applications, the WCM provides a minimal signal input capability with built-in logic execution that can be communicated over the user's network.

Versatile applications

As a communication protocol converter, the WCM supports a wide range of modern and legacy communication protocols and provides inter-message protocol conversion communications. As a message router, it provides configurable and automatic routing capabilities within many different kinds of networks as well as offers network redundancy support.

Features

  • Communication protocols suite for both Positive Train Control (PTC) and Advanced Train Control System (ATCS) based radios for interoperability
  • Supports multiple Ethernet and serial interfaces to interconnect to wayside devices
  • Integrates seamlessly with existing Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) systems, Network Management System (NMS) tools and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) based architecture
  • Provides a complete migration path to PTC while leveraging existing assets
  • Unmatched connectivity options to data radios
  • Converts Echelon messages to Ethernet messages
  • Easily mountable on standard relay racks, instrument house backboards, or even shelf mounted
  • Weight is approx. 8.3 lbs. (3.76 kg)
  • Input voltage 9 VDC to 32 VDC, isolated, reverse polarity
  • 4 Ethernet ports
  • 1 DB-25 RS-232/RS-422 Sync/Async port
  • 8 digital inputs
Office Communications Gateway (OCG)

Easy controlling of large systems

Siemens Office Communications Gateway (OCG) is a standalone executable program that runs on the Windows operating system.

Minimum hardware investment

Designed to bring the ATCS over IP and NMS functionality of the Siemens Wayside Cluster Controller (WCC) to the PC platform, the OCG adds diversity and scalability to Advanced Train Control System (ATCS) networks. It provides an open-ended means to control large systems with no investment in hardware other than a PC workstation/server.

Interface for ATCS networks

OCG provides the interface between the Office Dispatch System and the Field Code Line Network for ATCS networks. OCG is functionally identical to the Siemens Wayside Communications Controller (WCC) with the exception of the serial interface protocols, as OCG is an IP-based system.

Easily integrated

OCG is capable of controlling more Front End Processor (FEP) (HUB/LCT) processes than the WCC. In its current release, OCG supports up to 32 simultaneous FEP processes while the WCC supports up to 3 FEP processes. OCG is backward compatible with WCC clusters, and may be freely integrated into existing systems, intermixing with conventional WCCs as part of a migration strategy. Appropriately configured individual codelines are quickly and easily transferred from the WCC to OCG (and back) using the Siemens suite of network management utilities (Aserver/WCCMaint). OCG will run HUB and Line Control Task (LCT) processes in any combination.

'Wayside Communications System Products' product brochure

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