VEHICLE CONTROL UNIT (VCU)
Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) is a very critical subsystem of the propulsion system, as it controls the complete characteristics and safety of the locomotive. VCU is based on the open control architecture and compliant to IEC-61375 "Train Communication Network"
Protocol. The VCU can be adapted for any type of locomotive. Presently, it is customised for WAP5/WAG9/WAP7 classes and its variants of 3-Phase Drive Electric Locomotives, fitted with either GTO or IGBT based Propulsion and Auxiliary
Converters. Complete hardware and software (operating system, firmware and locomotive application software) has been fully developed indigenously, which has been successfully verified and validated. Designed based on the state of the art technology, it eliminates the use of ASICs and addresses the obsolescence issue completely.
There are two VCU racks in locomotive VCU1 & VCU2, together performing all the functions. There are two processors in each rack. Both the processors can independently access all the analog and digital I/Os. The functions
are divided between the four processors in such a way that any single processor failure will not affect functioning of locomotive.
Key Features
- EC-61375 TCN Open architecture enables easy plug compatibility of 3rd party equipment like traction converter, auxiliary converter etc.
- State of the art hardware, eliminating proprietary items like ASICs, fully addressing the obsolescence path in future.
- Third party development tools enable hardware independence, enhance the program development, adaptability and future sustenance and migration path.
- Redundancy: Even if one processor fails the other one will take care of the functionalities. Any single processor failure will not lead into CAB failure and any single VCU failure will not lead into complete loco failure.
- Redundancy is managed by adopting appropriate hardware and software architecture without the need of additional I/O cards.
- ARM controller specially designed for embedded control system.
- Real time as scheduler with least overhead.
Card & Module Details
- 2 ARM controller based Processor Card.
- 4X16 channel Digital IO card
- 1X8 channel Analog IO card.
- 1X5 channel MVB Bus Coupler Card.
- 1 Network Interface Card
- 1 WTB Module.
- 1 Ethernet Switch.
- 2 Redundancy Power Supply Card.