IEC 61375 Electronic Railway Equipment - Train Communication Network (TCN)

The “IEC 61375 Electronic railway equipment - Train communication network (TCN)” standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) consists of sub-sections published under the same title. Namely,

• The standard “IEC 61375-1 Part 1: General architecture” applies to the architecture of data communication systems in open trains, i.e. it covers the architecture of a communication system for data communication between the vehicles of such open trains, data communication within the vehicles and data communication from train to ground. The applicability of this standard to train network technologies allows interoperability of individual vehicles in open trains in international traffic. Data communication systems within the vehicles are given as recommended solutions to cope with such train communication network (TCN). In any case, proof of compatibility between a proposed train backbone and a proposed combined network must be provided by the supplier. This standard can also be applied to closed trains and multiple unit trains, if agreed between the purchaser and the supplier. The definition of open trains, multiple unit trains and closed trains is given in this standard. Road vehicles such as buses and trolleybuses are outside the scope of this standard.
• The standard “IEC 61375-2-1 Part 2-1: Wired train data bus (WTB)” applies to data communication in open trains, i.e. it covers data communication between groups of such open trains and data communication within groups of such open trains. A data bus is a communication system that enables data transfer between components within a computer or between computers. The applicability of this standard to the train communication bus (WTB) ensures that individual components within open trains are interoperable in international traffic. A data communication bus within components (e.g. MVB) is given as the recommended solution to cope with the train communication network (TCN) in question. In any case, proof of compatibility between the WTB and a recommended component network must be provided by the supplier. This standard can also be applied to closed trains and multiple unit trains, if agreed between the purchaser and the supplier. The definition of open trains, multiple unit trains and closed trains is given in this standard. Road vehicles such as buses and trolleybuses are outside the scope of this standard.
• The standard “IEC 61375-2-2 Part 2-2: Wired train bus conformity testing” applies to all equipment and devices implemented according to the IEC 61375-2-1 standard, i.e. it covers the procedures to be applied to these equipment and devices when conformity needs to be proven. The applicability of this standard to a train communication network (TCN) application allows individual conformity checking of the application itself and is a prerequisite for further interoperability checking between different train communication network (TCN) applications.
• The standard “IEC 61375-2-3 Part 2-3: TCN communication profile” describes the rules for data exchange between structures consisting of trains. These rules are brought together train communication network (TCN) defines the communication profile. The purpose of the communication profile is to ensure that the structures consisting of these trains are interoperable in terms of exchanging information. For this purpose, it defines all the elements necessary for communication interoperability:
  • An architecture with defined train directions related to different train appearances.
  • A common functional addressing concept.
  • A common communications protocol for exchanging data between functions.
  • A set of services for train communication control.
• The standard “IEC TS 61375-2-4 Part 2-4: TCN application profile” is applied to applications in trains, i.e. it covers the application profile for functions belonging to the train control and monitoring system. The application profile is based on the train communication network (TCN) communication system for data communication consisting of the trains in question. This standard provides a data interface with parameters and addressing of the train control and monitoring system functions based on the communication profile specified in the IEC 61375-2-3 standard. This standard can be applied in railway vehicles requiring interoperable connection and disconnection. This standard can be applied in addition to closed trains and multi-unit trains, if agreed between the purchaser and the supplier.
• The standard “IEC 61375-2-5 Part 2-5: Ethernet train backbone” defines the requirements for Ethernet train backbone (ETB) to meet open train data communication system based on Ethernet technology. Compliance with this standard ensures interoperability between local Consist subnets, regardless of the Consist network technology. All Consist network definitions must take this standard into account in order to maintain interoperability. This standard may also apply to closed trains and multi-unit trains, if agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier.
• The standard “IEC 61375-2-6 Part 2-6: Ground-to-ground communication” describes the specifications for communication between onboard subsystems and ground subsystems. The communication system, interfaces and protocols are specified as a mobile communication function using any available wireless technology. This standard provides requirements for:
  • Selecting the wireless network according to the quality of service parameters requested by the application.
  • To allow applications of the onboard train control and management system and the onboard multimedia and telematics subsystem that communicate on the onboard communications network to remotely access applications running in the ground facilities.
  • Allowing applications running in ground facilities to remotely access the onboard train control and management system and onboard multimedia and telematics subsystem applications.
• The standard “IEC TR 61375-2-7 Part 2-7: Wireless train backbone (WLTB)” describes the protocol stack of the radio-based wireless train backbone used in distributed power freight trains. This standard provides information about the physical layer, data link layer, application layer and distributed power implementation.
• The standard “IEC 61375-2-8 Part 2-8: TCN conformity testing” is applicable to all equipment and devices implemented according to the standards IEC 61375-2-3, IEC 61375-2-5 and IEC 61375-3-4, i.e. it covers the procedures to be applied to such equipment and devices when conformity needs to be proven. The applicability of this standard to a train communication network (TCN) application allows individual conformity checking of the application itself and is a prerequisite for further interoperability checking between different train communication network (TCN) applications.
• The standard “IEC 61375-3-1 Part 3-1: Multifunction vehicle data bus (MVB)” applies where such vehicles are required. The multifunction vehicle data bus (MVB) is a serial communication medium for railway vehicles. It interconnects programmable equipment and is directly connected to simple sensors and actuators. It is not intended for communication between vehicles and this is the domain of the train data bus.
• The standard “IEC 61375-3-2 Part 3-2: MVB (Multifunction vehicle data bus) conformity testing” applies to all equipment and devices implemented in accordance with the IEC 61375-3-1 standard, i.e. it covers the procedures to be applied to these equipment and devices when conformity needs to be proven. The applicability of this standard to a train communication network (TCN) application allows individual conformity checking of the application itself and is a prerequisite for further interoperability checking between different train communication network (TCN) applications.
• The standard “IEC 61375-3-3 Part 3-3: CANopen connection network (CCN)” specifies the data communication bus inside connections based on CANopen. CANopen was developed for use in industrial automation applications, but is not limited to them. These applications may include devices such as input/output modules, motion controllers, human machine interfaces, sensors, closed-loop controllers, encoders, hydraulic valves or programmable controllers. This standard applies to all equipment and devices operated in a CANopen-based connection network within the train communication network (TCN) architecture as described in the IEC 61375-1 standard.
• The standard “IEC 61375-3-4 Part 3-4: Ethernet link network (ECN)” specifies a data communication network within a link based on Ethernet technology, the Ethernet link network (ECN). The applicability of this standard to the link network allows interoperability of individual vehicles within open trains in international traffic. This standard may also be applicable to closed trains and multiple unit trains, if agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier.

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