Page 34 - ConnectorSupplier.com 2019 How-to-Specify E-Book

Step 1: Identify the Implementation Challenges
Applying Ethernet technology in the on-board environment presents some technical challenges in terms of network configuration and component performance. The main challenge is compensating for fault tolerance. A network that’s resilient to the failure of one or more components is essential to accommodate for train architecture and the length of time it takes for an information packet to travel along a network path.
It’s also important to ensure the data cabling and connectors deployed in the network satisfy railway fire and smoke standards, as well as the mechanical and environmental requirements for vibration, sealing, and temperature. This is especially true for vehicle-to-vehicle interconnects, which are subject to a wider range of stresses and climate changes.
ITT Veam offers a broad range of interconnect solutions for harsh-environment rail applications.
Step 2: Define Network Performance Requirements
The next step is to define the performance requirements for the Ethernet network in terms of either megabits or gigabits per second. This specification will depend upon the bandwidth requirements of the desired on-board systems.
Step 3: Select the Ethernet Application
Choose a corresponding Ethernet application so that you can establish the network transmission hardware and protocol you will need. The appropriate Ethernet class for the application will be based on the network performance requirements, as well as several key variables, such as train topology, that affect the required channel length for the network.
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