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2/10/2017

MEN Micro: I/O boards for train control

MEN Micro offers a series of rugged I/O boards for use with the MEN Train Control System (menTCS). The four new EN 50155-compliant cards offer added system functionality with a variety of safe I/O functions, as well as certifications up to safety integration level (SIL) 4, depending on the number of boards implemented.


The new I/O boards cover the typical functions required for railway applications. The K1 provides eight digital high-side switch outputs with 300 mA per channel, while the K7 offers eight digital low-side switch outputs. The K2 features 16 binary inputs, and the K4 delivers four frequency inputs with four signals each.

An SIL 4 certification package is available for all I/O boards together and a single I/O board can be used to reach SIL 2, MEN Micro officials said in a press release. Two combined boards are required to reach SIL 3 and SIL 4. This scalable approach reduces cost in case a lower SIL level is sufficient, company officials said.

Alternatively, two identical I/O boards can support hot stand-by, ensuring availability when required for critical functions.

Each board includes integrated supervisor functions, including Fail Safe over Ethernet (FSoE) communication, and is optically isolated from other cards within the system.

All I/O components are connected via spring cage terminal blocks, reducing wiring for fast installation, company officials said. The components also support the full voltage range from 14.4 VDC to 154 V DC.


The menTCS family is built on standardized electronics and interfaces to the software, making it the first open computer platform for automatic train operation (ATO), according to the company. The family of products consists of MEN Micro's MH50C controller unit, including the SIL 4-certified F75P CPU board and up to 6 I/O cards.