Frauscher News 09 2010 EN

FRAUSCHER-NEWS Edition 06 | September 2010

INNOTRANS 2010

EN


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Dear Readers and Friends,

The 6th edition of FRAUSCHER-NEWS is naturally dominated

by InnoTrans 2010.

The leading rail technology event that takes place every two ye-

ars is for many companies an important milestone to announce

innovations or new developments.

This also applies to us, as Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH will

introduce at InnoTrans 2010 a number of new products and

further developments to any interested visitor of the trade fair

and to our valued customers.

The core of our new developments is our next generation

axle counting system: The Advanced Counter. This sys-

tem, which will not necessarily replace the current ACS2000,

does, offer a large number of new options within its range of

application, such as the integration with electronic signalling

boxes. With a minimum of components and the possibility, for

instance, to communicate safely with super ordinate applica-

tions using Ethernet interfaces, we have laid the foundation for

a new promising generation of systems. By using our proven

wheel sensor technology we have achieved a clear reduction in

capital expenditure and life cycle cost compared with conven-

tional systems.

As one of the world‘s leading manufacturers of highly availa-

ble wheel sensors our Company has a special interest in the

standardization of admissible electromagnetic interferences

at the vehicle/general infrastructure interface. Work regarding

CENELEC standard EN 50238-3 is now showing significant

progress and our Company is collaborating with the EMC re-

search group of DB within the „Sensor System Workgroup“.

Yet, we also strive to pioneer a vehicle / wheel sensor inter-

face that is transparent, measurable and rateable. Hence we

disclosed last year the magnetic interference limitations of our

sensors (see FRAUSCHER-NEWS 04/2009). However, we want

to take it a step further.

We want to provide railway operators and rolling stock manu-

facturers with a measuring device that allows comprehensib-

le standard rating of the electromagnetic interferences along

the rail caused by the different vehicles types. To that effect

we have developed a system in cooperation with ÖBB (Aus-

trian Railways), which goes by the name of Magnetic Noise

Receiver MNR. Accordingly, the newly developed HF and LF

measuring antennas are rail-mounted simply by using rail claws

much like our wheel sensors. The measurement data recorded

are then read and evaluated by a PXI system adapted by Frau-

scher.

But this does not exhaust the number of all the new presenta-

tions planned by our Company.

Presentations include wheel sensor RSR181, a further deve-

lopment of the RSR180 with plug-in cable, the FDS diagnostics

systems as well as a detailed update on the state of the art of

wheelset detection on grooved rails.

InnoTrans is a very international trade fair. We are expecting

many of our international customers and partners at our stand

and all relevant contacts from Frauscher‘s branch offices in

the UK, China, Poland and Austria will be present. We are loo-

king forward to exchanging opinions about the latest products,

technological trends and correct system strategy. To this effect

please take note of two important events:

Our customer evening, Tuesday September 21, 2010, at 6

p.m., presenting Frauscher as a true Austrian company offering

Austrian gastronomic specialities, and our lecture on Thursday

September 23, 2010, between 3 and 4 p.m. in the Speaker‘s

Corner about „Technological challenges for inductive wheel

detection and axle counting technology of the future“.

Ihr Michael Thiel


The Frauscher Advanced Counter System FAC is the new axle

counter system generation by Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH.

The necessary development was started back in 2006. The de-

velopment target was an axle counting system with less com-

ponents and open communication interfaces. This target has

been achieved.

The main features of the system are as follows:

� integration of wheel sensor signal evaluation, safe axle

counting and output of the safe clear/occupied status

on a single board

� communication between all components using a CAN bus

� possibility to communicate with super ordinate systems

(signalling box, level crossing, etc.) or adjacent systems

using serial interfaces

� possibility for user-friendly queries of status data of the

equipment using an optional touch screen

� possibility for decentralised placement of boards along the rail

The central board, the Advanced Evaluation Board AEB (see

figure 3) of the Advanced Counter, not only evaluates the RSR

wheel sensor data, but also carries out axle counting and pro-

vides the clear/occupied indication, which can be output using

either a serial protocol or relay interfaces.

Additionally, the FAC system provides the possibility to input di-

gital data that are independent from axle counting, using the in-

put/output/extention boards IO-EXB (see figure 4) and to output

them at other IO-EXB’s (e. g. transmission of block arguments).

Furthermore, the Frauscher Advanced Counter System FAC can

also be integrated into the Frauscher Diagnostics System FDS

Frauscher Advanced Counter FAC Track vacancy detection system and more …


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Figure 2: FAC Power Supply with Crowbar PSC Figure 3: FAC Advanced Evaluation Board AEB Figure 4: FAC Input/Output/Extention Board IO-EXB

Figure 1: Block Diagram FAC - Single Track Section

Functional design

The FAC system comprises of at least the following boards:

� Power supply board PSC (see figure 2), which processes

the externally provided voltage supply and protects the

system

� Evaluation boards AEB (see figure 3), one per wheel sensor

and which can be configured for section counting

� Communication interface board COM to link geographi-

cally dispersed track sections of the FAC as well as for

safe serial communication or the adequate number of

input/output/extention boards IO-EXB (see figure 4) for the

necessary relay interfaces

All boards of the FAC system are mounted in 19“ board racks.

The evaluation boards AEB of the Advanced Counter commu-

nicate via CAN bus.

The communication interface board COM, equally connected

to the CAN bus, provides an Ethernet interface, which in turn

provides a safe clear/occupied indication for further proces-

sing. Alternatively, the clear/occupied indication can also be

output by the input/output/extention boards IO-EXB connected

to the evaluation boards AEB.

In addition, the communication interface board COM allows

connection of the FDS diagnostics system by Frauscher to the

Advanced Counter System FAC. The FDS system allows log-

ging and evaluation of relevant data. The user interface for the

FDS is a web browser.

Configuration of the track sections can be carried out electively

using DIP switches on the configuration board CO-EXB or a

configuration file.

Over longer distances the communication interface boards

COM communicate via Ethernet. Ethernet connections can be

established using e. g. LWL or DSL modems. It is also possible

to use existing communications networks, provided they com-

ply with class 5 or less as set forth in EN 50159-2.

The power supply board PSC provides the necessary voltage

for the CAN bus and protects the interface boards (up to 19

AEB evaluation boards) of the Advanced Counter against over-

voltages.


Bilderbeschriftung

Figure 6: Block Diagram FAC - Station

Applications

Due to the functional modularity and flexible scalability using

the Ethernet interface, the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAC

system can be configured for all conceivable applications.

From small central systems with direct relay outputs and touch

screen to complex systems in clusters distributed locally along

the track and networked via Ethernet; anything is possible. As

system complexity increases, savings in space, energy and ca-

pital expenditure also increase significantly compared with con-

ventional axle counting systems.

Integrated in efficient electronic signalling boxes the FAC sys-

tem offers all its options with minimal hardware, secure sus-

tainable communication and maximum flexibility. Customised

interfaces are developed individually in cooperation with the

respective system vendor and based on the interface environ-

ment specified.

The development by Frauscher of communication and interface

standards specified by the different railway operators is either in

progress or already implemented.

Figure 5: Board Rack FAC

Frauscher Advanced Counter FAC Track vacancy detection system and more …


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Optimal support for Frauscher customers and projects has always been a focal point of the Company‘s business philosophy. This

objective has been achieved for many years now either through cooperation with partners in different countries or by establishment

of branch offices for sales and services.

Frauscher Branch Offices

The Polish branch office Frauscher Polska Sp. z o.o. with head office in Ka-

towice was founded back in 1998. Over the years the company succeeded

in establishing itself in the Polish market, wherefore, naturally, many projects

now feature axle counting technology by Frauscher.

To mention but a few reference projects:

� E139 line

� E20 line

� CMK line

Janusz MikolajczykManaging Director

Daniel PytlikHead of Technical and Sales Department

Frauscher Polska Sp. z o.o. – Poland

The already successful business development in the UK is also handled and expanded by a branch

office. Frauscher UK Ltd. was founded in April 2010 in Yeovil, Somerset.

Among other projects Frauscher UK Ltd. supplies services to the London Underground.

Richard ColmanManaging Director

Frauscher UK Ltd. – UK

For the successful support of the rapidly growing Asian market Frau-

scher Sensor Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. was recently established in

Beijing.

One of first projects of Frauscher Sensor Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

regards Yizhuang line and Changping line of Beijing subways.

David TownsendManaging Director

Frauscher Sensor Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. – China


The idea for the development of the Magnetic Noise Receiver

MNR is actually a few years old and came about when Frau-

scher Sensortechnology became an active member of the DB

workshop dedicated to the electromagnetic radiation of vehic-

les within the frequency range of sensor systems. The „Sensor

systems workgroup“ is an offspring of that workshop. The cor-

rect measuring process for recording and evaluation of magne-

tic interference fields was the topic of many discussions.

Since there is still no measuring device able to record all three

axes of the interference fields in a single measurement cycle,

Frauscher has used its experience in the field of sensor techno-

logy in order to develop a measuring device that complies with

the following requirements:

� easy mounting and erection of the measuring device

� fast commissioning affording minimal time at rail

� resistance against current stress loads at the rail

� coverage of the complete frequency range of 10 kHz to

1,3 MHz

� admissible deviation < 1,5 dB

� 3D detection of measuring fields in a single test run

� automatic start and stop of measurements

� recording of traversing speed and provision of a normal

time stamp

� online evaluation of measurement data in compliance with

EN 50238-3 (2009) and comparison with maximum admis-

sible threshold values

� online evaluation of measurement data using FFT analysis

Product requirements were reviewed in cooperation with Aust-

rian Railways (ÖBB). Shortly after, the first prototype was ready

to be tested under laboratory conditions. However, this proved

Magnetic Noise Receiver MNR

to be difficult, because first it was necessary to generate a noise

spectrum that had to be recorded using a Helmholtz coil. After

adequate adaptations of the MNR the first field test together

with ÖBB was soon under way.

So as to achieve optimal linearity the required frequency range

had to be captured by two antenna systems, operating simulta-

neously if required. Recordings in the lower frequency range are

made by the MNR-LF probe. The higher frequencies are recor-

ded by the MNR-HF probe and cover all three axis (X-Y-Z).

A MNR probe (see figure 8) comprises, besides the recording

coils, all electronics necessary to linearise frequency response.

This allows measurement results with amplitude deviations of

< 1,5 dB.

The preamplifier equally integrated into the MNR with

downstream anti-aliasing filter allows the transmission of the

measurement data through shielded cables and over longer di-

stances (approx. 25 m). This procedure allows the MNR recor-

der to be operated away from the probe, i. e. outside the danger

zone of the rail.

The MNR recorder (see figure 8) is a highly precise analogue re-

cording device. The collected analogue data are evaluated on-

line by a processor. Calculation results and analogue data can

be saved to the hard disk of the mobile processor. Operation

and online evaluation do not require any other external devices,

such as a laptop (see figure 7).

EN 50238 stipulates that especially those frequency ranges re-

served for sensors must be viewed in detail and assessed in

compliance with the diagrams forming part of EN 50238. Based


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on the reference diagram the evaluation can be immediately

interpreted as measurement result (see figure 9).

However, knowing and displaying the residual spectrum is also

of interest to infrastructure operators and vehicle manufactur-

ers as rail vehicle licensing conditions also include interference

spectra outside the preferred sensor frequencies. For this pur-

pose the evaluation algorithm of the MNR recorder was expan-

ded with a FFT analysis (see figure 10). This affords a conti-

nuous display of the entire emission spectrum.

Thus, the MNR probe with a MNR recorder is also suitable for

lasting deployment at the rail (e. g. at check points) for the per-

manent monitoring of passing rolling stock.

The measuring device is monitored by means of a Helmholtz

coil.

Figure 8: Block Diagram MNR

Figure 7: MNR Probe and MNR Recorder with Monitor


Figure 10: FFT-Analysis MNR

Figure 9: Analysis according to EN 50238 MNR

Summary of advantages:

� 3D recording of the interference field in a single run

� one traversing cycle is enough to record the entire frequency range

� compatibility measurements according to EN 50238-3 with just one measuring device

� possibility to display the entire interference spectrum

� evaluation as per EN 50238 by comparison with the diagrams on site

Magnetic Noise Receiver MNR


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Business development in China

CRCEF, a company of the CRSC Group has signed a coopera-

tion agreement with Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH regarding

the integration of Frauscher wheel detection components into

the new axle counting system of the JZ.GD series. The system

is to allow deployment for all applications (subway, main line

and high speed lines) and is based on the world-wide proven

wheel sensor and evaluation technology by Frauscher. This co-

operation agreement continues the long-standing partnership

of the two companies and is an important element in the busi-

ness development of Frauscher Group in China.

L&B certified as Frauscher Service Partner

L&B Leit- und Sicherungstechnische Dienstleistungs-GmbH

was certified as Frauscher Service Partner in July 2010. In

this quality L&B renders services on behalf of Frauscher Sen-

sortechnik GmbH, especially in German-speaking countries.

Equipment manufacturers and railway operators will benefit in

future as response time for service support improve.

New evaluation as Q1 Supplier to DB AG

For several years now, Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH has

been audited by DB AG to maintain its supplier status and has

again met the Q1 supplier requirements of Deutsche Bahn AG.

Besides certification according to standards ISO 9001, ISO

14001 and OHSAS 18001 this evaluation by DB AG is an im-

portant commendation for our Quality Management System.

Frauscher-Short-Notes

New board production line launched

May 2010 saw the start of manufacture of the board production in its new premises (see figure 11). The new conditions increase

production capabilities and optimise the flow of materials during the production process. Another advantage of the new production

area is the expansion and improvement of the switching cabinet production (see figure 12). The pillar jib crane mounted in that area

supports both production and packing/delivery of the axle counting systems mounted into the switching cabinets.

Figure 11: Board Production Figure 12: Switching Cabinet Production

Frauscher News 09 2010 EN

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