Modular Box PC from MEN Micro Provides Precise Location of Deutsche Bahn Train Cars

BLUE BELL, Pa., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MEN Micro Inc., a world-renowned provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for mission-critical industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, has worked with long-time customer Deutsche Bahn to develop a modular box PC that enables precise positioning of a train car within a railway network. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140318/PH85604)

Based on MEN Micro's standard BL50W used for wireless applications, the custom box PC controls all functions required for the exact positioning of a train car. MEN Micro's expansive family of modular and robust box PCs has been steadily gaining ground as a compact, cost-efficient alternative for applications that traditionally use industrial PCs. Deutsche Bahn is the latest example.

Equipped with two antennas, the box PC receives GPS data from several satellites and forwards it to the control center via UMTS where position and current speed are calculated. Differential GPS enables location accuracy of less than 3 m to determine the exact track on which the car is traveling. An odometer provides dead reckoning functionality.  Exact vehicle position can be identified even if the satellite signal is interrupted, as when driving through a tunnel.

This precise positioning, down to the track, offers crucial advantages regarding track utilization, wait times and power consumption. A faster train can overtake a slower one between stations without danger, trains can be coupled quicker in switch yards using suitable software, or the train speed can be adapted to the landscape.

The custom Deutsche Bahn solution can be upgraded to utilize the functionality of the original BL50W including four PCI Express Mini Card slots with eight SIM card slots, an additional hard disk or different I/O interfaces such as CAN or RS232/RS485/RS422 using SA-Adapters.

MEN Micro's standard BL50W uses the T48N AMD Embedded G-Series APU and is equipped with a GPS interface.  Additionally it offers two DisplayPorts, two Gigabit Ethernet channels via robust M12 connectors, two USB 2.0 and five slots for serial I/O or CAN bus, as well as a number of universal inputs and relay outputs.

The BL50W is designed for fanless operation in the extended operating temperature range of -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C, and is developed in compliance with EN 50155 for use in railway applications.  It also complies with the requirements for E-marking according to ISO 7637-2 for automotive applications.

As the I/O and the CPU parts of the BL50W are implemented on two separate PCBs inside the box PC, the system can be easily and cost-effectively adapted to a user's needs.

BL50W Technical Features

• Highly customizable unit for specific development needs
• T48N AMD Embedded G-Series APU
• Extended temperature operation from -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C with fanless cooling
• Four PCI Express Mini Card slots with eight SIM card slots
• Compliant with EN 50155 (railway) and ISO 7637-2 E-Mark (automotive)

Pricing for a standard BL50W is $2,048.  Delivery is six to eight weeks ARO.

For additional information, visit http://www.menmicro.com/products/09BL50W.html or contact Stephen Cunha, Phone: 215-542-9575; E-mail: [email protected].

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About MEN Micro Inc.
Since its founding, MEN Micro has focused on innovation, reliability and flexibility to develop standard and custom computing solutions that employ the highest technology levels. The company's computing solutions are used in harsh mission- and safety-critical environments found in the transportation (rail, road, air, sea) and industrial (automation, power & energy, medical, mining) markets.

With more than 250 employees worldwide, MEN Micro provides a robust offering of highly reliable embedded COTS boards, rugged COMs, scalable box PCs, safe computers and supporting devices widely used in extreme environmental conditions.

In addition to its full customization support, the company's core competencies include x86 and RISC processor architectures, development rules for safe applications, analog I/O design, FPGA technology and Windows, Linux and real-time operating systems as well as RAMS and obsolescence management.

The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (environment), EN 9100 (aerospace), IRIS (railway) and e1 (road traffic) quality management systems and is a member of several industry associations, including VITA and PICMG.

Editorial Contact:
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E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE MEN Micro Inc.