Board computer EPIS 4.0A

EPIS – 4.0A On-board computer

EPIS 4.0A on board computers consist of an EPC 4.0A control unit, and an EPT 4.07 driver LCD terminal or an EPT 4.08 driver terminal in a built-in version placed on a stand. An EPW 58 roof antenna unit  is also included to ensure easy updates.

Pic. no.1: Control unit of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer

Pic. no.1: Control unit of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer

Basic properties of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer control unit

Order code Product name PRICE
72121.EPC40A EPC 4.0A – Control unit of the EPIS 4.0A information system At a request

Basic properties of the EPC 4.0A control unit

The EPC 4.0A control unit contains three inner control boards – a PC computer, a report and communication board and an integrated power supply unit. Together they have the following properties:

  • An on-board computer based on the PC standard compatible with x86 (INTEL ATOM) working on the frequency of 1 000 MHz (can be higher if requested).
  • A triple independent digital annunciator unit based on the MPEG 3 standard with reporting time of a couple of hours.
  • A radio modem 1200 bit/s, 2400 bit/s and higher including a radio communication adapter for direct communication with the radio network and for communication with crossroads control units. The radio communication adapter makes possible communication in the regime of the supplied radio network designated for voice and data transfers using only one radio station. To ensure a firmly defined communication on the track (for example with a crossroad) the communication runs and is controlled on a special assigned channel. This is done in such a way that there is no interference from the surroundings.
  • An acoustic switchboard with microphone inputs for the radio station, the external GSM/GPRS module or another analogue link and for the pc sound card and the triple annunciator unit. The acoustic switchboard is equipped with amplifiers with permanent sinus performance of  2x20W (top-class : 2x 50W) and 1x5W.
  • An integrated IJN®21 power supply unit based on electric switches capable of measuring immediate consumption and voltage of individual controlled branches (tableaus – LED panels, LCD displays, checking systems, radio station, tachograph, WiFi communication, etc.). The switches are equipped with electronic HW as well as SW fuses for protection against excessive voltage. The IJN 21 contains a low energy consumption control processor controlling requested waking during vehicle data updates. The integrated power supply unit switches on only those branches needed for correct functioning at the moment.
  • Two radio communication interfaces for communication with vehicles in the depot –  high-speed WiFi 5,8 GHz and a low input-power ISM interface. The high-speed communication interface WiFi 802.11b/g allows for communication via the UDP protocol 28 Mbit/s and 15 Mbit/s via TCP which makes possible data transfers into and from vehicles. The low input-power interference free interface ISM with FHSS communication is capable of finding out whether it is necessary to switch on the vehicle to upload data in the depot. This communication does not require the vehicle PC to be switched on when inquiring the necessity of vehicle data updates. The PC control unit is switched on and takes over communication and data upgrade control only when data is uploaded into the vehicle.
  • Rich communication equipment – the system contains an isolated RS 485 busbar, a standard RS 485 for communication with the checking system, a system for contactless throwing of switches, with the tachograph etc. RS 232 or USB are other usable interfaces.
  • A control terminal with an 8“  wide-angle highly illuminated LCD touchscreen panel. The size of the panel is 480 x 800 points, it is equipped with the IPS technology. Panel illumination is set automatically according to the surrounding light and it is regulated when the vehicle travels between stops. The panel is connected via a single DVI-HDMI cable.
  • The LCD terminal brings brand new display possibilities. For example, one possible layout of the screen of the on-board computer terminal contains basic information about the route (for example changes on the route), the schedule and about the most recent stop including a description of connections.
  • A classic IBIS interface with tableaus and the speed of 1200 bit/s. This interface is capable of recording BUSE tableaus with recording speed of 9600 bit/s or 19200 bit/s.
  • An  integrated sensitive GPS receiver Sirfstar IV for position determination. This receiver is capable of calculating the next position of the vehicle and it is also used as a time normal of the EPIS system. The accuracy of this receiver is 2,5 m.
  • A router of the Ethernet interface with IP addressing inside the vehicle – connection of the checking system, CITY SCREEN (passenger LCD displays), a tachograph, etc.. The EPIS control unit  therefore behaves as a firewall protecting against unwanted vehicle access. Outer and inner communication has an independent Ethernet network.
  • The ability to display vehicle camera images on the driver terminal.

Parameters of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer

The EPIS 4.0A unit is based on an industrial single-board PC which meets :

  • requirements on operation temperature inside the vehicle (-20°C to +70°C) – for temperatures deeper below zero this means that the vehicle will have to be kept in RESET for some time to allow the vehicle to be heated by “waste” heat.
  • performance requirements –  made possible by the INTEL ATOM E 640 processor operating on the frequency of 1 GHz (at least 10x higher performance than other on-board computers used in the Czech Republic – containing for example PXA and Toshiba processors, etc).
  • low energy consumption requirements which is the reason why it does not require cooling by a ventilator (it only has passive cooling – when working it warms up by ca 15-18 °C).
  • high memory capacity requirements – micro SD FLASH 8 GByte and higher and RAM DDR 1 GByte,
  • versatility of use requirements – trams, bidirectional trams, trolleybuses, buses, trains…

In comparison with the EPIS 4.0 type, the most important innovations are increasing the PC parameters, reducing the size of the on-board computer and improving the GPS accuracy. Regarding the SW equipment, the new on-board computer is equipped with the ability to directly control the radio network from the vehicle (it is not necessary to use an external “radio communication adapter”).

Parameters of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer
Unit processor Intel Atom (Tunnel Creek) E640 @1GHz
Control computer memory micro SD – 8GB, DDR2 – 1GB as a standard
On-board computer interface:
  • Ethernet 2 × 100 Mbit (RJ-45) from this 1x TPoE
  • DVI - the LVDS interface including power supply for the EPT 4.08 terminal
  • GSM - connector for connecting an external antenna (preparation)
  • GPS - connector for connecting an external antenna
  • USB - 4 × USB 2.0
  • RDST - connector for connecting a radio station equipped with a control interface
  • RS 485 - 2x standard, 1x isolated, 1x fastened with RS 232
  • IBIS - standard with the ability of function up to 19,2 kbit/s
  • CAN - at a request
  • HS, PS, FS, RS, CS - power supply outputs of the vehicle inf. systems  – 5 A to 30 A
  • I/O - connector of individual inputs and outputs including the isolated ones
  • Busbar connector - IBIS, RS 485, analogue inputs and outputs
Power supply +24V / input current up to 41 A (directed in switched inputs)
Control unit power consumption up to 10 W during regular operation
Unit weight 1056 g
Outer measurements (w × h × d) 203 × 60 × 115 mm
Operation temperature from -20°C to +70°C

Installation of the EPIS 4.0A on board computer inside the vehicle

We are also able to supply other vehicle components together with the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer and therefore create an optimized product

Pic. no.2: Installation of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer

Pic. no.2: Installation of the EPIS 4.0A on-board computer

  1. Radio station voltage convertor that converts the +24V on-board network voltage to +12V  with  quick enough response.
  2. EPW-58 antenna unit for  uploading/reading data in/from vehicles.
  3. Inner LCD passenger panels of the VCS type  in various versions and with the possibility of remote recording.
  4. VLP 24×200 – outer LED tableaus with full Czech text, others are also possible if requested.
  5. VLP 20×120 inner vehicle LED panel for informing the passengers inside the vehicle.
  6. VLP 24×160 – outer LED tableaus with full Czech text, others are also possible if requested.
  7. VLP 24×40 – outer LED tableaus with full Czech text, others are also possible if requested.
  8.  EPNEV 3.0x independent command receivers in many versions with a number of functions.
  9. Vehicle communication units for distributing Ethernet to modern components.
  10. Keyboard for manual switch throwing or for throwing according to a chosen destination (route).
  11. Outer vehicle pressure speakers either individual or with a special holder.
  12. Trill speakers for door indication for people with impaired vision.
  13. Vehicle broadcast inductors for trams, trolleybuses as well as buses.
  14.  BSV vehicle broadcast unit for trolleybuses BSV-TR 14 and for trams – BSV-TR 12 or older BSV-TR 02.

EPT 4.08 LCD touch terminal

EPT 4.08 is an 8″ color TFT LCD monitor (the IPS technology) for industrial use with touch control using a 5-conductor resistance touch surface. The size of the terminal is 8″  and it is suitable for public transportation vehicles because it does not take up too much space (it is easy to find a suitable place for installing this device in the vehicle) and the displayed texts are very easy to read.

Order code Product name PRICE
721223.EPT408-DK EPT 4.08 DK – 8″ LCD terminal with a joint holder– set At a request
721223.EPT408-DL EPT 4.08 DL – 8″ LCD individual terminal for the joint holder At a request
721223.EPT408-ZK EPT 4.08 ZK – 8″ LCD embedded terminal – set At a request
721223.EPT408-ZL EPT 4.08 ZL – 8″ LCD embedded individual terminal At a request
Accessories
721223.EPT408-DM EPT 4.08 DM – Assembly material for the joint holder At a request
721223.EPT408-ZM EPT 4.08 ZM – Assembly material for the embedded terminal At a request

The LCD driver terminal has the following properties:

Properties of the EPT 4.08 LCD driver terminal
Proportions (w × h × d) 228 × 134 × 50 mm
Certification EN50151, EN50155, ISO11451, ISO7637-2
Electrical energy consumption 12 W (typical)
LCD display WVGA – TFT (the IPS technology)
Display size 8″
Active surface size 174 × 104,4 mm
Resolution 800 x 480 pixels
Video interface LVDS
Number of colors 262 K (6-bit input)
Brightness 600 Cd / m2
Contrast 900:1
Illumination lifespan 70 000 hours (LED)
Working temperature from -20°C to +70°C