Title
ASIC based bus system for a new generation of computerised level crossing systems
ASIC technology allowed 30% cost reduction and improves security on railway crossing systems
Technologies used

    Digital ASIC

Industrial sector (PRODCOM code)
    35 Transport equipment
    31 Electrical equipment for vehicles
Abstract

The company Pintsch Bamag with 360 employees, of which 11 are electronic engineers, is involved in the development, production and sales of railroad control systems for the German railroads. The product on which the project is based is a control unit for a level crossing system. The goal of the project is to implement the interface electronic of the control unit into an ASIC (Gate Array), in order to improve performance and costs and to acquire sufficient knowledge and experience on ASIC technology, in order to be able to use it for future products. The task of the development project is to substitute the relay circuitry of prior systems by an intelligent microcontroller-based solution. This includes system control and power electronic groups for all peripheral devices (motor drivers of level barriers and mechanical train-signals, light indicators, vehicle sensors, etc.). The AE took 8 month with developments cost of 90 KECU (01.12.1996 - 30.07.1997).

The economic benefits of the project result from reduced production and product costs, improved position in the German and international market with innovative products and reduced time for customising products. The payback period is about 4 years. The ROI is about 300%.

The results of this AE will be of interest to companies, which produce electric equipment for safety critical applications, where mechanically secured electric components (mostly big, expensive, maintenance-intensive, etc.) shall be substituted by intelligent microcontroller devices with redundantly designed self-controlled electronic hardware (smaller, cheaper, nearly maintenance-free, etc.).
Company

    PINTSCH BAMAG Antriebs- und Verkehrstechnik GmbH
    Hünxer Str. 149
    D-46537 Dinslaken
    Germany
Detailed information
You can also benefit from microelectronics

Digital ASIC technology provided PINTSCH BAMAG Antriebs- und Verkehrstechnik GmbH with the means of improving its products and enhancing its market position. You can also achieve significant benefits by acquiring the right microelectronics technology and utilising it in your product or manufacturing process. You can get help from FUSE to realise this.

FUSE is a technology transfer programme, funded by the European Commission to stimulate the wider use of microelectronics technologies by European enterprises to increase their competitiveness and enhance their economic growth. The demonstrator described here is one of many examples in the public FUSE portfolio covering the whole spectrum of microelectronics technologies and spanning a wide range of applications and industry sectors.

FUSE provides you with:

  • Best practice in acquiring specific microelectronics technologies and conducting full development projects through the FUSE portfolio of real life demonstrator documents.
  • Local training and expert support to plan your innovation realistically and help you conduct your project successfully.

Further information and support relating to this and other demonstrators can be obtained from the addresses below.
Further information   Guiding Technology Transfer Node
For further information and support regarding this case study, please contact a Technology Transfer Node (TTN) in your region.
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