| STANDARD IEC 61375-1, also known as TCN (Train Communication Network), is a regulation made by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Committee) in cooperation with the UIC. Since its very origin, CAF has been an active member of the international group for the development of the TCN, and it is the first and only Spanish company to develop such a system.
What does the TCN do?
The TCN standard's goal is to develop a communication network, customized to the railway environment, guaranteeing interoperatibility at two levels:
- On the one hand, at the train-borne equipment level. The TCN thoroughly specifies a communication protocol for the vehicle's bus. This protocol allows the easy and uniform access to all the information on the train and turns the integration of new equipment and control system functionalities into practically plug-and-play.
- All electronic equipment installed in the train operates under a single standard network, simplifying information transmission. In other words, all the equipment “speaks” the same language.
- This unique network allows the information exchange and the train's functioning to be flexible and open to the incorporation of new functionalities and technologies such as GSP, GSM and the Internet.
- In addition to this, the use of the TCN significantly simplifies qualified personnel training and train fine-tuning and maintenance.
Also, at the train level, the TCN communication standard allows the vehicle's bus to automatically couple two or more units. Without any external assistance, the system reconfigures itself, incorporating the vehicle's equipment or unit connected to the network.
Caf has incorporated this system to the new series of RENFE (CIVIA) commuter trains.
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