Product Development of Railway Equipment Diagnostics
Brief
Using SCADA technology supplied by the client, develop the diagnostic product for command and control equipment for railway stations and lines.
Project challenge
To use various programming languages for development; to develop software libraries in order to implement new and innovative communication protocols; to integrate existing software modules into the new product; to develop graphic components for data visualisation compatible with the available technology, able to represent complex state/process variables in immediately usable information to be converted into actions.
Solution
NIER supported the client in the creation of the new product; all project phases were followed, from the drafting of the requirements, to the development of the SW components, to the execution of the functional tests. All evolutions of the system were supervised, adapting to changes in input product specifications. The work was carried out in close contact with the client to identify all operational needs to ensure the product met specific technical requirements in an effective, advanced and intuitive matter.
Execution phases
Study of the application context in which the product was to be installed, Study of the system requirements, Study of the interfaces and communication protocols used, Study of the SCADA technology provided by the client.
Drafting of product requirements.
Development of server components, including software libraries for the implementation of communication protocols.
Development of the server components for collecting and processing the data retrieved from the monitored equipment, Development of the client components for displaying the information in a user-friendly manner.
Integration of previously developed software modules.
Development of the compiler for the generation of product configuration data for use in specific applications.
Analysis of problems arising during the integration test phase and their resolution, Analysis of problems arising during commissioning and their resolution.
Discussion with the client to improve graphical interfaces for better usability.
Implementation of new server and client modules for the management of new equipment, not foreseen in the initial phase of the system.
Support to users of the product for the analysis of the diagnostic data received, in order to avoid any degradation of the monitored system.
Achieved results
the product developed together with the client was distributed in Italy and in several countries. It is a fundamental tool for the efficiency of the railway system in which it is installed, as it is successfully used for the rapid detection of malfunctions and/or degradations, while providing the tools for their resolution.
