Eurotech ISIS XL Embedded Board to be Deployed in US Positive Train Control Program

COLUMBIA, Md., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurotech, a leading supplier of embedded technologies, products, and systems, announced today its ISIS XL embedded computer has been chosen as one of two hardware reference designs for Positive Train Control (PTC) applications by Meteorcomm, LLC. PTC increases railroad safety through a system of monitoring and controlling train movements.

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The widespread installation of interoperable PTC systems in the United States is mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. PTC technology will be installed on 160,000 miles of railroad track and on board 30,000 rail vehicles by 2015 at an estimated cost of $12 billion.

All PTC Wayside Messaging Servers (WMS) must incorporate an embedded computer certified to run Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and the Meteorcomm communications stack, such as the ISIS XL. As an approved hardware reference design, the Eurotech ISIS XL within a WMS can connect Wayside Interface Units (WIUs) to the PTC network to communicate vital data such as wayside status, locomotive progress and speed.

The ISIS PC/104+ board integrates the Intel Atom Z530 processor into a rugged, embedded computer designed to operate under harsh conditions and has an industrial temperature rating from -40 to +85 degrees Celsius. Eurotech has more than 20 years' experience in the Industrial Network Gateway and in ruggedized computer product design.

"The Eurotech ISIS XL embedded computer is one of two hardware reference designs selected by Meteorcomm, since it meets the requirements for the PTC Messaging System," explains Fred Pot, Business Development Manager for Meteorcomm.

"As a PTC hardware reference design, Eurotech's ISIS platform provides our customers the best starting point for establishing PTC-conformant applications," said Arlen Nipper, CTO for Eurotech, North America.  "Developing certified, interoperable PTC systems has the potential to be an extremely complex process for an intelligent system created to read rail sensors and communicate via wayside messaging servers.  Our certified reference hardware platform will help PTC system integrators quickly deploy and release their PTC applications on time and on budget."

The Eurotech ISIS provides all the benefits of Intel Atom architecture including optimal balance of power and performance.  Consisting of a Eurotech Catalyst XL processor module and carrier board, the ISIS offers high-performance x86-compatibility in a fanless design that requires only a fraction of the power previously needed for comparable Intel architecture systems.  

Eurotech's DuraCOR system and DuraMAR Mobile IP router are packaged, off the shelf, platforms that incorporate the ISIS XL embedded computer and offer PTC integrators an even greater level of integration and flexibility.

About Eurotech

Eurotech is a listed global company (ETH.MI) that integrates hardware, software, services and expertise to deliver embedded computing platforms and sub-systems to leading OEMs, system integrators and enterprise customers for successful and efficient deployment of their products and services. Drawing on concepts of minimalist computing, Eurotech lowers power draw, minimizes physical size and reduces coding complexity to bring sensors, embedded platforms, sub-systems, ready-to-use devices and high performance computers to market, specializing in defense, transportation, industrial and medical segments. By combining domain expertise in wireless connectivity as well as communications protocols, Eurotech architects platforms that simplify data capture, processing and transfer over unified communications networks. Our customers rely on us to simplify their access to state-of-art embedded technologies so they can focus on their core competencies. Learn more about Eurotech at www.eurotech.com.

SOURCE Eurotech