Next-Gen Train Control / Management (TCMS) Architectures: “Drive-By-Data” System Integration Approach

Based on the European railway industry objectives in the scope of Shift2Rail EU programme, the work conducted in Safe4Rail (Q4/2016-Q4/2018) proposes a unified embedded platform framework and drive-by-data system integration for the definition of scalable embedded architecture which can integrate critical and non-critical rolling stock functions. The proposed architecture enables integration with other railway transportation systems and similar to aerospace IMA, relies on common computing and Ethernet networking resources. The ultimate objective is to create an integrated infrastructure which can host all hard RT, realtime and soft-time functions, and support different models of computation and communication. Such an integrated architecture will reduce lifecycle costs and system complexity of railway TCMS architectures. The key challenges in next generation TCMS are: affordability, complexity, modular certification, frequent dynamic reconfiguration, and the capability to host distributed SIL4 functions. The outcome of this work to be relevant for any future highly integrated and reconfigurable parameter-driven architectures, which require high levels of software abstraction with support for incremental certification, and rely on new advanced networking approaches related to IEEE TSN, while using the experiences from ARINC664 and SAE AS6802 standards. The Safe4Rail architecture addresses both safety and security aspects of the embedded platform, and will result in new standards for railway Ethernet networking, including the modification proposals to IEC61375.