The Ethernet standard dramatically decreases network costs. With Westermo solutions, this advantage is clearly enabled in the railway environment. Its off-the-shelf equipment has been directly installed by the railway operator. Using the example of FERROVIE NORD MILANO the reliability of this railway approved equipment is seriously underlined.

FERROVIE NORD MILANO, Italy’s second busiest railway company, is implementing WESTERMO Ethernet equipment to replace its analogic devices. Westermo enables data transmission from advanced PLCs, gathering information from track sensors, to the SARONNO city control center through fiber optics (red lines). Signalling in/out digital signals are transmitted from the track to the server SCADA center. Westermo supplies wire transmission devices, point to point and multipoint long distance wire and fibre optic data transmission devices, fiber optic Ethernet connections and fiber optic ring network, based on the railway approved L328 Switch.

Control rooms receive input regarding train status, position, speed, gates and shifters from many devices and systems that help ensure safety and high quality train service. Reliable connectivity among all devices is a key requirement for all railways. The majority of control and alarm systems are located far away from the communications devices in the stations.

Multiple control and measurement devices spanning the railroad lines provide online information, while many sensors and alarms monitor the situation and send alerts in the event of any change in status.

A cost-effective solution enabling 100 Mbits data flow

Previously, data collection was done with analogic systems. This involved many analogic devices, high engineering costs and very low data flow! Cost-effective Westermo switches enable a stunnning decrease in the equipment required as well as network and maintenance costs.

Furthermore, because Westermo’s equipment is easy to use and easy to install, FERROVIE NORD MILANO ESERCIZIO is able to install and maintain its network by itself. A first line of 10 stations has been installed and two more lines are in the process of implementation, representing a project of 22 additional stations. This new order confirms the performance of Westermo’s Ethernet switches.

High reliability and high availability

Westermo manufactures industrial Ethernet products for control applications, intelligent transport systems, railway signal systems and other open automation systems.

Westermo's Ethernet switches are based on a robust and reliable industrial design for maximum longevity and minimum lifetime costs. Applications of these switches in railways include station areas, signalling systems, train information systems and subways.

FERROVIE NORD MILANO utilizes the LYNX 320 range of Ethernet switches. It fulfils the toughest industrial environmental requirements: full metal housing, IP40, temperature range of –40°C to 70°C, no moving parts, redundant power imput. The Fast Re-configuration of the Networks Topology (FRNT) concept enables high availability. It offers ultra fast reconfiguration (30 ms) of the network topology (the fastest solution on the market). The FRNT concept eliminates failures caused by network links and/or switches. Management of the switches is easily handled in the Windows based IP Configuration tool. The software tool is free and any of the Ethernet ports can be used for this purpose. Thus, no serial port is required for setting the configuration parameter on the switch. This means that the Lynx switch can be mounted and installed prior to configuration. High MTBF numbers make it the choice for applications where temperature, vibration and insulation are critical parameters.