Barbara Schmitz, MEN Mikro Elektronik GmbH
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The data train keeps chugging along - CompactPCI systems utilized in railway operations
When the first steam engine rolled along the tracks, people marveled at the innovation of the machine, the technology, the possibilities. As traffic on the rails grew, it became necessary for a more intricate communication system to be in place to avoid collisions, ensure travelers arrived on time, and manage the loads of freight increasingly seen on the railways. Enter embedded computing subsystems, with the ability to manage the vast amounts of data being generated to ensure proper, safe functioning of the railways. These systems not only manage the functions of each train car in modern railway operations, but also help control communications to ensure a safe means of transportation for both those working for the railway as well as those using it for travel. And with the growth of mobile networks, today's computing systems for railways also need to provide data access down to the individual passenger.
