Experimental tuning campaign of control strategies for active pantograph under emulated catenary

Pantograph-catenary systems with their dynamic behavior resulted in being crucial components of new high-speed train systems. Structural modifications on pre-existing lines are very difficult and expensive, and they cause practicability issues. Thus, in order to alleviate the problems associated with the introduction of high speed trains (contact, abrasion, excessive oscillations of the catenary, etc.), active control of the pantograph can be introduced. In collaboration, ESIEE-Amiens and the University of Florence have been working on the evaluation and modeling of the catenary-pantograph contact, including intensive work regarding the definition and tuning of several control strategies for an active pantograph. In particular, ESIEE-Amiens has provided its OPAL-RT real time architecture with an implemented catenary model [1] and the University of Florence has provided its expertise on active control strategies of pantographs [2].