The Next Generation Train Control and Monitoring System (NG-TCMS) consists of two main network domains inside the train: the Train Backbone, which deploys the consist-to-consist communication via Ethernet Train Backbone Nodes (ETBNs), and the Consist Network, which includes Consist Switches (CSs),as well as Safety and Non-Safety End Devices (ED-S and ED).
Safe4RAIL-3 will deliver next-generation network devices with higher TRL that integrate the Drive-by-Data concept based on Time Sensitive Network (TSN) technology, introducing deterministic communications at backbone and consist levels of the wired train network. Special attention is paid to the interoperability among the two different equipment manufacturers in the consortium.
The NG-TCMS defines a distributed software architecture. Train subsystems decouple the control of the end-devices, integrated in the Central Control Unit (CCU), from the sensor/actuator functionality of the end-device itself. Control applications are integrated with the TCMS application in a Functional Distribution Framework (FDF).
In Safe4RAIL-3 an HVAC subsystem will be integrated on top of the FDF implementations. The HVAC subsystem will be used for testing and validating the FDF of the metro and regional CFM demonstrators on a SIL-4 hardware.
The wired TCMS domains of the train have their wireless counterparts in the Wireless Train Backbone (WLTB) for inter-consist communications and the Wireless Consist Network (WLCN) for intra-consist communications. In Safe4RAIL-2 project the first prototypes for WLTB have been developed, namely Adapted-ETBNs (AETBN) and radio devices.
Safe4RAIL-3 will develop high-TRL equipment and antennas for the WLTB and WLCN for TCMS traffic and OMTS traffic.
Field tests done with wireless technology in trains have also indicated that the location of antennas and their close environment have a huge influence on the performance of the wireless link, as they can increase the multipath or even block the line of sight between antennas.
Antenna installation studies will also be carried out in Safe4RAIL-3 to optimize the antenna installations in WLTB, WLCN and T2G communication links. Ray-tracing simulations and on-site validations will be done to select the most optimal antenna locations in the CFM demonstrators.
The methodology and processes to guarantee safety in railways are already well established while a common code of practices, standards and methods for cybersecurity is being established.
In Safe4RAIL-3, Safety and Security assessments for the DbD, FDF, and wireless TCMS will be analysed, and studied based on the upcoming standardization.
Finally, the technical outputs obtained from Safe4RAIL-3 will be integrated in the metro and regional demonstrators of the CFM project. They will also contribute to existing and new standards in several domains, such as railway, wireless, and deterministic communications.
The technological improvements of Safe4RAIL-3 will be validated in two real demonstrators provided by the CFM project. The background of the Safe4RAIL-3 consortium from previous S2R projects ensures the required expertise in the technologies to be integrated and as a consequence an extensive and efficient support to the demonstration activities.