Technological convergence for ethernet networks in railways process control systems

Abstract

The tests carried out in the proposed implementation of an Ethernet network for railway signalling indicate that the topology in sections, with rings interconnected by optical fibre, offers an efficient solution in terms of throughput, latency and availability. Although a challenge was identified in the convergence time in Layer 3, exceeding one second, this is considered a calculated risk due to its occurrence being restricted to specific points in the network and the robustness of the equipment with high MTBF. The positive results in the bandwidth, latency and no frame loss tests in different scenarios reinforce the viability of the proposal to meet the demands of railway signalling. Careful implementation of the suggested topology, combined with redundancy strategies and proactive maintenance, emerges as a promising solution to meet the emerging challenges in railway traffic control automation, providing safety and operational efficiency. Continuous monitoring and preventive maintenance are key to ensuring the system's lasting and reliable performance.