Design of the train network simulator based on train communication network

As the number of functionalities for train control systems grows, control functions are becoming more complicated. With the rapid progress of digital technology such as logic devices and microprocessors, the functionalities for control and diagnosis of train systems are being implemented using digital techniques. Because most of these functions are implemented by microprocessor based intelligent controllers, the necessity of network that provides the connection between these functions takes an important position in the train control system. As the necessity of the train network system increases, IEC (International Electrical Commission) and UIC (International Railway Union) have been working hard to standardize the network system of trains. The train communication network (TCN) was born as a result of such hard work and it provides plug-in compatibilities between train equipment connected using TCN. TCN has numerous characteristics that are suitable for train control, such as redundant structure for availability, short transmit period for small data exchange, various data sizes which are profitable for real time train control, efficient media access and automatic train configuration. With these excellent characteristics, it is expected that TCN would be the basic network system in rolling stock industries near future. The Korean High Speed Train (KHST) project that aims at developing a train running at 350 km/h also recognized the facts and adopted TCN as a basic train network. This paper talks about the design of a train network simulator based on TCN for the Korean High Speed Train