From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: ** X-Spam-Status: No, score=2.4 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_50,REPLYTO_WITHOUT_TO_CC autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 Path: border1.nntp.dca3.giganews.com!border3.nntp.dca.giganews.com!border1.nntp.dca.giganews.com!nntp.giganews.com!nx01.iad01.newshosting.com!newshosting.com!69.16.185.11.MISMATCH!npeer01.iad.highwinds-media.com!feed-me.highwinds-media.com!cyclone01.ams2.highwinds-media.com!news.highwinds-media.com!voer-me.highwinds-media.com!peer01.am1!peering.am1!npeersf03.am4!fx32.fr7.POSTED!not-for-mail Message-ID: From: Mike H Reply-To: Mike Hopkins Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada Subject: Re: Ada for high speed rail control systems References: <3e9d37b8-0314-474e-b819-6f15f104eaa9@googlegroups.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii;format=flowed User-Agent: Turnpike/6.07-M (<8c+$+zb077Pti5diXa8NqJs7Yt>) NNTP-Posting-Host: 83.104.138.185 X-Complaints-To: abuse@demon.net X-Trace: 1373059532 83.104.138.185 (Fri, 05 Jul 2013 21:25:32 UTC) NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 21:25:32 UTC Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2013 22:20:54 +0100 X-Received-Bytes: 3912 X-Original-Bytes: 4080 Xref: number.nntp.dca.giganews.com comp.lang.ada:182291 Date: 2013-07-05T22:20:54+01:00 List-Id: In message <3e9d37b8-0314-474e-b819-6f15f104eaa9@googlegroups.com>, trungtruc.nguyen.2012@gmail.com writes >Hi, > >I am an embedded software student (I don't know much about hardware). I >would like to work in railway control systems. If someone works in this >field, please tell me what I should learn? I have knowledge about >real-time Ada (Concurrent : tasks, synchronisation et communications; >scheduling...) but I don't know about hardware (chips, >microprocessors...) can I work in this area? > Google is your friend and 'ERTMS' (European Rail Traffic Management System) might be as good a start point as any. If nothing else it will give you a lot of relevant leads for background reading that may stand you in good stead when it comes to job interviews. Also, it will do no harm if, at the very least, you aware that there is something called BS EN 50128 and something called BS EN 50159. Be aware that ALL aspects of railway signalling and railway traffic management are regarded as safety critical, so don't be blinkered into concentrating on high speed modes to the exclusion of all else. In the UK, the high speed commuter trains South East of London spend far more time and far more miles on lines other than on HS1. In France, the TGVs that serve the Mediterranean coast act as conventional stopping trains beyond Montpellier and as run as the Spanish border. If you are UK based and looking for a subject for a case study or extended essay as part of your course work then the it might be useful for you to know that The Cambrian Coast line in North Wales has been used as the test bed for future adoption of ERTMS throughout the UK network. The Cambrian Coast is a spectacular line from the point of view of tourist traffic but steam specials are now banned and will remain so until someone solves the problem of how to put the driver controls and displays onto a steam locomotive foot-plate. Now there is a challenge for you! In stark contrast, a major player in the area of railway signalling has used a volunteer run preserved steam railway (North Yorkshire Moors Railway) in order to demonstrate an application that they would like to be able to sell to the UK national network. Railways are unique in that perfectly serviceable 19th and 20th century equipment is retained and will continue to be used purely on the basis of a known and proven history of safe operation. Do not be surprised to learn that it was not easy prove that the miles of (expensive and vulnerable) copper wire that are traditionally used to link pieces of 19th century signalling apparatus could be replaced by a virtual links in a manner that would be invisible to the signal man/woman in his/her cabin. With an element of luck, if you ask a few questions of the right people, that is something you might be allowed to see at first hand. Good luck with your endeavours -- Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. Mike Hopkins