SERIAL TO ETHERNET DEVICES AN INEXPENSIVE UPGRADE

Victor Hernandez

MARTA, Manager Systems Engineering

Atlanta, GA.

Hildridge Stewart

MARTA, Senior Train Control Engineer

Atlanta, GA.

INTRODUCTION

• The purpose of our paper and

presentation is to share information that might benefit another Authority or Rail Road which may be experiencing similar technological challenges.

BACKGROUND

• MARTA- Began in 1979 • Currently Operates 48 Route Miles • FOUR LINES; NORTH-

SOUTH, NORTHEAST-SOUTH, EAST-WEST, & PROCTOR CREEK.

• 51 Train Control Rooms (TCR). • 53 Traction Power Substations (TPSS).

BACKGROUND CONTINUED

• Each TCR contains an Local Data Transmission System “LDTS” or train control processor “VPI/MICROLOK” for communication for Train Control = 51. • Each station TCR contains 1 SCADA Auxiliary RTU =42. • Each TPSS contains 1 SCADA TPSS RTU = 53. • In the 1980’s MARTA Upgraded to an Alcatel SONET Multiplexer System, utilizing fiber along the Right of Way (ROW). • The field devices were not replaced at this time. They were still serial and connected to a 1200 BAUD modem in the field and at the Office.

BACKGROUND CONTINUED

• For the 1996 Olympic Games MARTA installed a new Office

System based on Ethernet Communications. • Train Control=Alstom (TMS), SCADA=AIRINC (AIM)

REALITIES OF AN AGING SYSTEM

• In 2007 the components of the SONET System began to fail, this affected the Rail Service Control Center’s (RSCC), train monitoring and control, breaker status and control, and stations alarms and control. • MARTA’s Senior Management assembled a team to stabilize the existing system.The team was named “The RSCC Stabilization Team”.

CONCEPT PHASE

• The RSCC Stabilization Team was given 2 main directives.

1. Stabilize the existing system.

2. Provide a solution to support multiple

Operation Centers; a Primary Control Center and a Disaster Recovery Control Center at a remote location.

CONCEPT PHASE CONTINUED

• The 1st system to be addressed was the Train Control System. • The concept required using a device that would convert RS232 serial data to a format that encapsulates the serial data into packets for transmission over the Ethernet. • The team chose the UDS 1100 for a pilot for the Train Control system, and Alstom approved the usage of this device.

CONCEPT PHASE CONTINUED

• AIRINC had experience utilizing the PERLE-IOLAN DS1 and suggested using it for the SCADA system. • For the pilot program a UDS 1100 would be installed at the field device and another unit at the office communication equipment.

• lantronix UDS 1100 • PERLE-IOLAN DS1

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

• An Implementation plan was developed and covered the following:

• Test Bench • Maintenance Training • Pilot Test • Thirty Day Confidence Test • Production

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

• A Test Bench was set up at the RSCC Computer Room to prove the concept. The Test used 2 UDS 1100’s. One represented the field and the other for the Office. The Test was successful. • Conversation began with Alstom and ARINC to have the COMM/FEP servers to communicate directly to the field thus eliminating the Terminal Server at the Office and modems (Tx end and Rx end) and the SONET system. • Eliminating this equipment accomplished Objective # 1 (A) Improved “Quality of Service” (QOS), and (B) Reliability. (MARTA’s new, at the time, Ethernet provided more QOS and reliability; 99.999% (5,9’s) uptime. Less than 15 minutes down time per year).

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

• Eliminating this equipment accomplished Objective # 1 (A) Improved “Quality of Service” (QOS), and (B) Reliability. (MARTA’s new, at the time, Ethernet provided more QOS and reliability; 99.999% (5,9’s) uptime. Less than 15 minutes down time per year). • By moving to Ethernet and eliminating the Terminal Server, modems, and SONET (backbone) at RSCC i.e. putting a mini Terminal Server in each TCR and TPSS, then any computer system (AIRINC/Alstom) can access the data provided by the RTU’s and DTS’ thus accomplishing Objective #2 (Primary location w/a back-up location, and either Office could be anywhere as long as it is on the MARTA-NET).

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

• Maintenance Training was developed and presented to the proper Maintenance personnel. • A Thirty Day Test was conducted for the Train Control System, and SCADA System, with success.

• Each Train Control Room has access to the MARTA Network, but none of TPSS have Ethernet connectivity. A device from Cisco called Long Range Ethernet (LRE) was used for those locations. • We did have issues at some locations using this

product due to distance and or old wiring. • We also used the Patton Copper Link Ethernet Extender.

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

PRODUCTION PHASE

• With Testing and Training complete the team received the Green light to proceed with the installation of the UDS 1100, PERLE, and the LRE’s. • Alstom and AIRINC completed their software changes for the COMM/FEP Servers, so that the Office could communicate directly to the UDS 1100/PERLE devices in the field

PRODUCTION PHASE

Typical Serial Tunneling Layout

PRODUCTION PHASE

Modem to be disconnected in field.

PRODUCTION PHASE

• Remove the DB25 from the modem and connect to UDS1100.

SUMMARY

• Once all locations were converted and communicating from the

field to the Office utilizing TCP\IP technology, a Disaster

Recovery \Backup Control Center was designed, thus

accomplishing our second directive from Senior Management.

• If an emergency arises the data can be redirected from the

RSCC to the Backup Control Center.

SUMMARY

• Equipment which is no longer required.

Terminal Servers and Modem Bank Racks

at RSCC (8 Terminal Servers, Primary and

Secondary, and ~146 Modems) Channel Bank Racks

CONCLUSION

• The title of this presentation is Serial to Ethernet Devices an

Inexpensive Upgrade. To gain a Managed TCP/IP System for

the cost is worth the effort.

Average Cost:

• Lantronix UDS1100 = $150.00 each

• PERLE IOLAN DS1 = $150.00 each

• CISCO LRE = $50.00 each

• PATTON COPPER LINK = $550.00 each

• Project Cost for Material = Approx. $22,500.

Notes: Fast-Project took 9 Mo.

Easy-Cutover/Training/

Ongoing Maintenance.

Pros:

No Maintenance Cost on

PERLE or UDS, it works or

you replace it.

Access from anywhere on

the MARTA-NET.

QUESTIONS???

OLD

NEW