Ethernet switches

Gigabit Ethernet switches manage increasing demand for high-speed communication networks on-board rail vehicles

Westermo has further enhanced its Viper range of compact, managed Ethernet switches with the introduction of four new twelve-port devices designed to manage Gigabit networks. The Ethernet and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) devices help meet the growing demand for communication networks with higher data rates on-board railway rolling stock to support video, LCDs and wireless LAN access points. The new devices are part of Westermo’s innovative IP Train concept that delivers a complete Ethernet switch and routing solution to provide a robust network infrastructure for the creation of intelligent trains.

The four new models provide a range of standard Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and PoE port options as well as additional routing functionality. The Viper-112-T3G has three Gigabit Ethernet ports and nine standard Ethernet ports. The Viper 212-T3G provides the same port configuration, but with additional routing capability to enable the connection of subnets and improved overall network performance.

The Viper-112-T3-P8 offers three Gigabit ports, a single standard Ethernet port and eight Power-over-Ethernet ports that support the IEEE 802.3at `plug-and-play' PoE communications standard. PoE enables both power and data to be transmitted on a single multi-core cable, especially useful for camera applications, reducing overall wiring and enabling faster installation. The Viper 212-T3G-P8 provides the same port configuration, but extends the functionality by offering routing capability. The Viper PoE switches deliver up to 66W of power across their eight PoE ports and are able to isolate the input DC voltage from the connected devices, to protect them from power surges. Power distribution is managed, with ports `tuned’ to maximise distribution efficiency.

Specifically designed to provide highly robust networks and long term field operation, the Viper range exceeds the EN 50155 on-board railway standard for electronic equipment, which encompasses not only EMC requirements, but also shock, vibration, extended temperature range and humidity. The Viper switches achieve high mean time between failures, ensuring the extremely long-term and reliable field operation that is expected within the railway industry.

As well as high levels of reliability, the switches offer unique functionality that simplifies the creation, installation and maintenance of networks. The Viper switches’ WeOS operating system provides an extensive suite of IP networking standards allowing resilient and flexible networks to be created. The operating system is able to detect any rail car position changes, rotations and additions, and then compensate for such changes in the network without any manual reconfiguration. To ease installation and maintenance, Viper switches and any connecting devices can be configured with identical IP addresses in each carriage. This simplifies the overall IP plan and standardises configurations.

WeOS is also able to balance data traffic on the network to maintain maximum throughput and stability. The introduction of increased traffic from new cameras or video stream will therefore not affect the stability of the entire network. In the event of any link or hardware failure Westermo’s unique FRNT technology is able to re-configure a large network in 20ms.