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INDUSTRY FOCUS RAIL
CYBERSECURE ENCLOSURES Foremost demonstrates how new
cybersecure designs of shielded enclosures can increase EMI protection for today’s railways and ensure readiness for tomorrow
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most excels in providing a comprehensive range of nVent Schroff Rail Certified products and solutions. Its skilled team,
dedicated to customer service, offers unmatched local support and technical expertise. With its adaptable and efficient business model, 4most guarantees reliability and streamlined service for its customers and partners. 4most demonstrates how leveraging
technological advancements, such as EMC subracks, can significantly enhance railways’ resilience against EMI threats. As fiscal budgets tighten, railways must enhance their resilience to maintain effective and successful operations. This necessitates delivering greater capacity and minimising downtime caused by maintenance. Digitalisation is crucial for achieving the
flexibility and efficiency required by modern railways. However, it also introduces challenges in managing electromagnetic emissions and immunity for digital systems. 4most explores how advancements in technology, such as electromagnetic compatible (EMC) subracks from nVent SCHROFF, can bolster the resilience of today’s railways.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EMI PROTECTION IN RAILWAYS Electromagnetic interference (EMI) poses a persistent threat to railway signalling systems. Modern rail vehicles are equipped with intricate electronic systems sensitive to EMI. The advent of digital rail, wireless communication, IoT devices, and embedded microelectronics in rolling stock exacerbates this challenge. These technologies necessitate robust EMI protection to ensure proper functionality.
MANAGING EMI RISKS Suppliers providing components for trains or infrastructure bear significant responsibility for managing EMI risks. A comprehensive understanding of EMI and the inherent risks in rail deployments is essential. For instance, 5G telecommunications may require frequencies up to 40 GHz in the medium term and up to 100 GHz in the long term, potentially interfering with railway signalling systems. Additionally, the increasing complexity of train control systems, along with emerging innovations like edge computing and predictive maintenance technology, must be considered.
EVOLVING STANDARDS FOR EMI PROTECTION Standards for radio or electrical interference are evolving to match emerging threats. Currently, the European standard for rolling stock is EN 50155, which references EN 50121-3-2. This
20 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JUNE 2024
standard, in turn, refers to the EN 61000-5-7 standard, covering performance, testing, measurement techniques, and protection levels against electromagnetic disturbances up to 40 GHz. Components suppliers must understand these standards, comply with them, and anticipate future evolutions.
CITIES OF THE FUTURE: DATA ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER NEEDS In future urban environments, the demand for massive data acquisition and transfer will be crucial. Advanced communications networks, supported by AI-enabled applications, will form the backbone of these cities. Rail suppliers will face significant EMI challenges. These challenges arise from higher data processing rates and frequencies, necessitating stricter EMC regulations and standards.
DECENTRALISATION AND DIGITALISATION IN RAIL The decentralisation of high-power electronics is driving convergence in the rail industry. This shift enables the digitalisation of operations and infrastructure management, evidenced by the increasing use of safety-critical signalling and train control equipment in wayside shelters and onboard vehicles. Systems like CBTC and ETCS are prime examples. Furthermore, IoT technology and edge computing are being adopted for condition monitoring, requiring electronic components at the lineside. This evolution demands substantial investment in physical and cyber protection to safeguard these innovations.
INTERFERENCE PREVENTION IN AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE Tasks such as interference prevention in naval radar and mobile defence equipment can be adapted for rail. For instance, Foremost a Platinum Business Partner for nVent SCHROFF offers ruggedised AC/DC power supply units and DC/DC converter boards that minimise interference for optimal cybersecurity. Our VPX systems, used on naval ships and in mobile defence systems, employ two levels of shielding and a honeycomb air intake filter to minimise interference and protect signal integrity.
PARTICLE ACCELERATORS AND SECURITY SYSTEMS Emerging MTCA and ATCA applications are used in controlling beam arrays in particle accelerators and high-resolution security systems. Data acquisition in particle accelerator research is particularly challenging due to the large volumes of data that need to be processed quickly. Edge servers for local processing and
data transmission, like nVent SCHROFF’s ATCA 450/100 Series, which has been EMC assessed up to 40 GHz, are crucial in these scenarios.
URBAN CONNECTIVITY AND ADVANCED NETWORKS Technologies from quantum computing and autonomous car data acquisition could support predictive maintenance applications in rail. These systems require racks and enclosures with strong mechanical EMC protection to prevent interference with test data and clock modules.
DESIGNING FOR EMI PROTECTION The design of components is critical for successful EMI protection, especially as frequencies increase. Recent independent lab tests reveal that nVent SCHROFF’s new EMC subrack design improves EMI shielding by over 45%. This design considers the impact of perforations and air vents on EMC behaviour, requiring smaller openings to maintain shielding effectiveness at higher frequencies. Enhancements include optimised top and bottom cover designs, and additional side panel covers to safeguard against EMI.
THE ROLE OF GASKETS AND SEALS Gaskets and seals are essential for preventing electromagnetic emissions from entering or leaving enclosures, ensuring compliance with standards, and enhancing reliability in harsh conditions. EMC seals, such as contact springs made from stainless steel or copper- beryllium, or coated elastomer or textile seals, provide environmental shielding and are crucial for EMC protection. Dave Martin, business director of 4most says: “Suppliers must stay abreast of evolving standards and innovations to provide components that meet the stringent requirements of modern and future rail systems. Attention to the structural design of onboard enclosures, subracks, and cabinets, combined with effective gaskets and sealing, can significantly enhance EMI protection, achieving improvements of over 45%. These advancements are essential for supporting the data acquisition and transfer needs of future cities.”
Foremost Electronics T: 01371 811171
sales@4most.co.uk www.4most.co.uk View the video here:
https://youtu.be/rnUxYZ9NX74
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