Finland creates EULYNX interface adapter to allow old and new tech to work together
Finland will adopt the open-standard EULYNX interface in railway network signalling systems. What is novel about the Finnish approach is that an specially designed adaptor will be used to apply the EULYNX compliant interface. This method of implementation allows old and new technology to work together.
EULYNX is the European initiative for the standardisation of interfaces and elements of the signalling systems. It involves 13 infrastructure managers, including the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. In Finland, the EULYNX compliant interface standard Is applied to existing interlockings using an adapter.
“The perfect opportunity came when Northern Finland’s remote control system required upgrading. Interlockings were not upgraded at the same time, so we needed an interface adapter between the existing relay interlockings and the new remote control system,” says Project Manager Juha Lehtola from the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
The interface adapter was developed by GRK Rail and produced by subcontractor Relesoft Oy. “We had two challenges,” says Director Markus Melander from Relesoft Oy: “First, we had to focus on gathering knowledge about the standard and the railway sector. Fortunately, the EULYNX standard is very well documented and clear. The second challenge was to build a safety-critical software on a tight schedule.”
A section on the railway line between Oulu and Kontiomäki currently serves as the proving ground for the interface adapter. The adapter and the new interface will be introduced in traffic later this year.
Norway, too, uses EULYNX compliant interfaces, but there it was introduced in a project whereby interlockings and railway traffic control systems were upgraded for the entire railway network and not, as in the case of Finland, in a situation where existing relay interlockings remained.
In addition to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Bane NOR of Norway, the EULYNX initiative involves Network Rail, DB Netz, Infrabel, ProRail, Trafikverket, Slovenske železnice, ÖBB-Infrastruktur, Société nationale des chemins de fer luxembourgeois, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, SBB and SNCF.
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