Today, travel by train, TGV, tram or metro has become safer and more enjoyable thanks to a multitude of new technologies introduced into the railway infrastructure . One of the key technological advancements that have been driving this evolution is the all – in – one railway industrial panel PC for train control. This sophisticated device has become an integral part of the train control system, playing a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of trains and enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.
The implementation of touch screens (Panel PC) to facilitate train control and management is a great example of this trend.
Find out in our guide how the CPT1210PB Panel PC perfectly meets the requirements of the railway sector .
The ideal Panel PC for the railway industry
A Panel PC is an all-in-one computer consisting of a touchscreen LCD display and an industrial computer integrated into the same enclosure, also called a human-machine interface (HMI).
The Panel PC typically incorporates a touch screen for ease of use and can be mounted on a panel, providing a graphical communications interface that enables interaction between humans and machines in an electronic control system.
When deployed in the cabin of a train (TGV, metro, tram, etc.), the Panel PC is used as a driver-machine interface that assists or replaces the traditional consoles of a control desk, through which the driver can control and communicate with the entire train.
The railway industry increasingly favours high-performance PCs such as the Panel PC, ideal for train control and management system due to their ease of use, visualization and versatility.
The advantages of Panel PC for railways
With their integrated touch screens, Panel PCs provide a remarkably intuitive and user-friendly interface that greatly simplifies complex train controls, allowing operators to manipulate a visualised console simply by tapping or touching the screen, rather than having to use a number of superfluous switches and buttons typical of conventional instrument panels.
With the evolution of screen resolutions and widescreen formats, high-performance touchscreen PCs can provide better visual or graphical representation of train status and real-time data acquisition. The information display allows operators to understand and analyze train status at a glance.
Finally, Panel PCs can store data locally thanks to very good storage capacities and offer powerful computing performances to facilitate the management of complex tasks.
CPT1210PB, the Panel PC that excels in trains!
The CPT1210PB is a fanless rugged computer with a 10.4-inch touchscreen, designed specifically to optimize the operation of trains (TGV, tram, metro, etc.) and the user experience in the field of rail transport.
It can be integrated as an HMI PC inside a train driver’s cabin to display vehicle status and perform control functions, or as a control panel for passenger information system, covering applications of train communication, speed and temperature monitoring and control, surveillance, as well as fleet information management.
Durability and Reliability
Trains operate in harsh environments, with temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and exposure to dust and moisture. All – in – one railway industrial panel PCs are engineered to withstand these challenging conditions. They are built with ruggedized enclosures that protect the internal components from physical damage. Designed to tackle the toughest tasks in the railway industry’s rolling stock, this rugged, multifunctional touchscreen Panel PC is able to survive some of the harshest conditions encountered in tough outdoor operations, making it particularly suited to the demanding work of the railway sector.
The advantages of the CPT1210PB railway Panel PC
The CPT1210PB Panel PC excels in the following aspects, crucial for railway applications:
EN50155 certified durability and reliability for the railway sector
The CPT1210PB is EN 50155 certified and has successfully passed all safety tests required for electronic equipment used on railway vehicles. Its robust design, including an IP65 / NEMA 4 rated aluminium front frame to keep out dust, liquids and contaminants, makes it tough enough to withstand the harsh conditions typical of the railway environment . The fanless structure and the use of a low-power Intel® Atom® processor allow it to operate at temperatures as low as -25°C and as high as +70°C. The CPT1210PB railway panel PC is also certified to EN 61373 (shock/vibration), EN 45545 (fire), as well as EN 50121-3-2 for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), which ensures that different devices can operate in close proximity to each other without experiencing mutual interference .
M12 type shockproof connectors
It is essential that all I/O connections and the power input of the Rail Panel PC are firmly secured at all times for any system installed on a train, tram or metro that is subject to jolts. The IP65 M12 type I/O connectors of the CPT1210PB Rail Panel PC are designed to protect the serial, USB, Gigabit Ethernet connections and the DC power input from shock and vibration, making this Panel PC a perfect choice of HMI for on-train operations.
LCD display readable even in direct sunlight
The display of an HMI computer intended for railway use must be bright enough to be viewed comfortably in direct sunlight. To achieve optimum visibility, the CPT1210PB Railway Panel PC features an ultra-bright, sunlight-readable 10.4-inch SVGA TFT LCD display with a 1000 nits LED backlight and a wide 160°/160° viewing angle, allowing railway operators to easily read all operational status messages even in direct sunlight. The LCD display also features a resistive touchscreen and is capable of auto-dimming by adjusting the backlight brightness according to the surrounding lighting conditions.
Alternative keyboard
HMI PCs installed in vertical panels or cabinets rely on touch screens to navigate and interact. For some actions that are not intuitive or convenient on a touch screen, physical buttons still provide the best user experience. The IP65 front bezel of the CPT1210PB railway panel PC can be customized to integrate a standard UIC612-01 keyboard , which provides hot keys and shortcuts for quick access to frequently used functions. In accordance with the UIC612-01 standard, the technical specifications of this front keyboard are universally defined via a user-friendly user interface, providing drivers with globally consistent HMI control for different types of locomotives.
High – Performance Computing Power
The CPT1210PB Rail POC Panel is powered by an Intel® Atom® E3845 processor (2M Cache, 1.91 GHz) designed to handle multitasking applications , enabling it to deliver reliable and consistent performance in railway work. The on-board computer supports up to 8 GB of onboard DDR3 memory and has 16 GB of integrated flash memory. An mSATA slot is also available for additional storage needs.
COMPT All – in – one railway industrial panel PCs are equipped with powerful processors. These processors are designed to handle the complex algorithms and real – time data processing required for train control. They can quickly analyze data from various sensors such as speed sensors, position sensors, and track condition sensors. This high – speed data processing enables the train control system to make split – second decisions, like adjusting the train’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the preceding train or to respond to sudden changes in track conditions.
Real-time monitoring and communication
The CPT1210PB Railway Panel PC enables real-time monitoring of train operation by providing instant access to sensor data . It displays critical train information as well as alarms and faults, allowing operators to respond quickly in an emergency and perform timely diagnosis to avoid hazards or prevent equipment failures. With Power over Ethernet (PoE), the on-board computer can perform remote monitoring by connecting to on-board IP cameras to display live video images of the inside and outside of a passenger cabin. In addition, wireless connectivity to cellular networks such as 4G allows the CPT1210PB to communicate with monitoring centers to exchange data in real time.
The main features of CPT1210PB Railway Panel PC
| SCREEN |
10.4 inch SVGA TFT display |
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1000 nits brightness |
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5-wire resistive touch |
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| PERFORMANCE |
Intel® Atom® Processor E3845 1.91 GHz |
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Built-in 4GB standard DDR3 memory |
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x2 PCI Express mini-card slots |
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M12 type locking connectors |
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x2 isolated RS-232/422/485 serial ports, x1 isolated CAN bus, x2 isolated Gigabit LAN ports, x2 USB 2.0 ports, x1 isolated DIO port… |
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| ENVIRONMENT |
Fanless cooling system |
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Extended operating temperatures -25°C to +70°C |
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IP65 aluminum front panel |
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Heavy duty NEMA 4 protection… |
References:
https://www.gdcompt.com/solution/intelligent-transportation-solutions/
Penny
Web Content Writer
4 years of experience
This article is edited by Penny, the website content writer of COMPT, who has 4 years working experience in the industrial PCs industry and often discusses with colleagues in R&D, marketing and production departments about the professional knowledge and application of industrial controllers, and has a deep understanding of the industry and products.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss more about industrial controllers. sales@gdcompt.com
