Dr. Dobb's | A Linux-based System to Monitor Train Speed and Doors for a Light-Rail System

A Linux-based System to Monitor Train Speed and Doors for a Light-Rail System

Linux was selected to run on an ARM-based single-board computer for pilot tests of a control system to be installed on trains for the light-rail system in Guadalajara. Here's why.

July 04, 2007
URL:http://www.drdobbs.com/open-source/a-linux-based-system-to-monitor-train-sp/200900428

Departamento de Ingenieriade Proyectos, Universidad de Guadalajara
Apdo. Postal 307, C.P. 45101 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
[email protected], [email protected]

In developing countries, the cost of proprietary operating systems and tools can add substantially to the cost of control projects. At the same time, Linux has become very robust and extremely easy to port to single board computers and other hardware used for real-time systems.

Linux is becoming the OS of choice for many board manufacturers for the reasons just mentioned, and also because there are no up-front costs or royalties to pay. There are also a wealth of tools that customers can use for no cost, reducing further the cost to the end user. For this reason, we have chosen Linux running on an arm based single board computer for pilot tests of a control system to be installed on each train for the light rail system in Guadalajara, Mexico.

This control system monitors the speed of each train to prevent dangerous over-speed conditions, and also to prevent the driver from opening doors on the side of the train where there is no passenger platform. This system will also be CBTC (Communications Based Train Control) ready for use when there are funds to purchase the interfaces with the digital radio system to allow constant communications with each train.

This paper was originally presented at the Eighth Real-Time Linux Workshop held at the at the School for Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, in Lanzhou, China.

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