SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

www.frauscher.com

One step ahead of failures -FDS diagnostics system by Frauscher

FRAUSCHER

NEWSEdition 05 - April 2010

Design and confi guration

The FDS diagnostics system by Frau-

scher is tailored to the size of each

installation. The application can be

quickly and easily expanded.

The components to be diagnosed (ACB

axle counting board, IMC evaluation

board, etc.) are connected to a bus

transfer entity (BTE) using a RJ45

patch cable (fi gures 1 and 2). The

main task of the BTE is to ensure

galvanic isolation and the absence of

reactive effects on the axle counting

system. Upon request this unit, which

can handle up to four components to

be diagnosed, will edit the diagnostics

data received for the logging processor

(LOG processor). The processor collects

all diagnostics data and edits it for

the „outside world“. Autonomous data

management depending on installation

requirements is ensured.

Interfaces and compatibility

The Ethernet interface used represents

a conventional and multi-purpose link,

which affords, by means of a Web

browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla

Firefox, etc.) the retrieval of all current

and stored diagnostic and statistical

One step ahead of failures -FDS diagnostics system by Frauscher

Preface

An important task of railway infrastruc-

ture companies is the maintenance and

fault clearance of their signaling sys-

tems. These activities are not only the

basis for secure, reliable and punctual

railway services, but also the source

of a signifi cant percentage of cost and

expenditure. Therefore, it has been our

goal for many years to continuously

increase maintenance effi ciency and

reduce the cost of maintenance and

fault clearance. An important component

for such a strategy is the use of a

modern diagnostics system such as

the new FDS diagnostics system by

Frauscher. In terms of objectives and

results our development was focused

on three areas:

1. Overall reduction of maintenance

cost

Even axle counting systems by Frau-

scher do require cyclic maintenance

activities, although to a rather limited

extent. Due to FDS, part of them can

be performed comfortably‚ “from the

offi ce chair“ (e.g. measurement of wheel

sensor current, etc.), thereby allowing

reduction of regular on-site presence

to a minimum.

2. Preventive maintenance (prior to

failures)

By means of preventive alarm messages

(e.g. loosened wheel sensor mounting

unit) it is possible to be warned in

advance of a possible fault.

User interface

After input of the LOG processor‘s

address (IP, URL) into a Web browser

the FDS login screen is displayed.

This screen affords a three-level user

access with different access rights. The

language option can also be selected

in this screen.

The following overview provides a

general summary regarding status and

Figure 1: Web-based user interface offe-ring numerous navigation and display options

data. Furthermore, there is the pos-

sibility to access diagnostics data via

GSM/GPRS etc. Notifi cations by SMS or

e-mail complete the interface portfolio.

The diagnostics and statistics data

acquired may additionally be edited and

sent as XML telegrams to higher-ranking

diagnostic management systems (e.g.

ESDIS in Austria).

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Figure 2: Interfaces of the FDS diagnostics system by Frauscher

3. Fast and effi cient fault clearance

Inductive wheel sensors and processor

controlled axle counting systems are

subject to a number of technical and

operational infl uences, which may result

in the most diverse fault messages.

FDS provides maintenance staff that is

not locally stationed, with the possibility

of remote diagnostics. This affords the

analysis of the fault (error code, fault

environment) and the effective fault

downtime can be considerably shor-

tened by target-oriented fault clearance.

Thanks to the application of future-

proof interfaces, the system will also

be capable to be integrated into future

generations of axle counting systems

by Frauscher.

The FDS diagnostics system by Frau-

scher is currently under trial. Compre-

hensive fi eld tests in various countries

as well as pilot projects have proven

its suitability for daily use and its cost

reduction benefi ts for customers.

In future, the FDS diagnostics system

by Frauscher will be offered as a

client-specifi c confi gurable component

and deployed in combination with the

ACS2000 Axle Counting System by

Frauscher. Offi cial presentation to the

public is scheduled at the InnoTrans

Trade Fair in Berlin. Delivery is to start

in the second half of 2010.

Yours Sincerely

Michael Thiel

present conditions of the overall system.

Next to the components implemented,

status information is provided by a se-

maphore function. Additional information

such as alarm and fault codes or the

effective number of axles counted in

is also displayed.

A mouse-click on the relevant compo-

nent opens further and more detailed

information. In case of a waiting alarm

or fault message, the detailed fault code

or fault information of the corresponding

component is displayed. This display

affords valuable information of the

possible cause of the alarm or fault

and simultaneously provides hints/clues

for its clearance. Unlimited diagnostics

down to fi eld level is thus possible.

Based on this primary information, the

maintenance staff can optimize its pre-

parations (necessary spares, operative

failure, maintenance problems, etc.).

Diagnostic and statistical dataEach component linked to FDS provides

abundant data, displayed on the user

interface.

For instance:

Component (type, software, serial

number), component status (number of

axles, alarm or error code), last axle

counter reading (number of axles, time),

last traversing (time), last reset (time),

last component adjustment (adjustment

current, time) and present wheel sensor

current (in mA).

Among others, the following information

is edited for statistical processing:

Number of counting head traversings,

counting section occupancy detections,

board adjustment, fault status and

resets.

Data management and storage

The universal *.txt format (text fi le) pro-

vides a compatible basis for the data

management and storage of FDS data.

Every day a compressed working fi le is

generated, which can be downloaded

and processed locally. The daily *.txt

fi les can be imported and comfortably

evaluated, e.g. under Excel.

Contact data

If you have comments, improvement

proposals or any question about this

topic, please contact:

DI (FH) Gerhard Grundnig

phone +43 (0) 7711 / 2920 - 9217

email gerhard.grundnig@frauscher.com

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FRAUSCHER-SHORT-NOTES

Innotrans 2010, 21. - 24.09.2010, Berlin

Do come and visit us: Pavilion 26, Booth 230

We invite you to personally assess the high quality and optimum functionality of the innovative products by Frauscher!

The International Trade Fair „Innotrans“ scheduled for September 2010 in Ger-

many would be an ideal possibility to check out our latest innovations in the areas of axle detection, axle counting and diagnostics.

Our team of experts will be at your disposal for personal and specifi c advice.

We are looking forward to your visit!

„MNR – Interference Spectrum Measuring Instrument“ on trial at ÖBB

In close cooperation with ÖBB (Austrian Railways) we have developed an „Interference Spectrum Measuring instrument“ (MNR – Magnetic Noise Receiver). The measuring sensor of the MNR is mounted on the inner face of the rail by means of a rail claw, similar to Frauscher‘s wheel sensors. Simple, both temporary and permanent measuring operations can thus be performed easily and without complications.

As a result the MNR provides an indication about the frequency range found at the rail, caused by vehic-les of various types and other sources.

First Metro Project in China

CRSC Chengdu awarded Frauscher GmbH with the order to supply the track vacancy detection equipment for the Yizhuangxian line of Beijing metro. The object of the Contract is the supply of an ACS2000 axle counting system using RSR180 wheel sensors.

CRSC Chengdu is responsible for fi nal assembly, installa-tion and commissioning. The equipment had already been delivered in December 2009. Installation is set to start in June 2010. Commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2010.

New Company: Frauscher Group to form UK Subsidiary

For years Frauscher Group has been active in the UK in the fi eld of axle counting and wheel detection. This successful business development is now set to be pursued and expanded with a long-term engagement in the UK.

To that effect Frauscher UK Ltd was formed at Yeovil, Somerset, effective as of April 1, 2010. Frauscher UK Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of Frauscher Holding GmbH and will be responsible for Sales, After-Sales Service and Technical Support in the areas of railways, subways and light rail systems. Mr. Richard Colman has been appointed Managing Director.

Product Enhancement of Wheel Sensor RSR123

Frauscher‘s wheel sensor RSR123 has been successfully used since 2007 in many European countries: as a component in axle counting systems, level-crossings, decentralized electric points (EOW) or hot box detection devices (HOA).

Based on results and continuous monitoring of this long-term deployment in regular operations, it has been possible, within the scope of product enhancement, to further improve the availability of this innovative high tech wheel sensor, resulting in additional customer benefi ts.

Frauscher is planning to apply for certifi cation of the revised version of the RSR123 wheel sensor in April 2010 and to start delivery to clients in the second half of 2010.

Figure 3: Interference Spectrum Measuring Instrument MNR (magnetic noise receiver)

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