duagon has supplied high-performance computer platforms for Germany’s most modern suburban trains. They are currently being developed and built by Siemens Mobility. The first vehicles are scheduled to enter passenger service in Munich at the end of 2028.
Future-proof computer platform for 5G routing and comfort systems
Siemens Mobility relies on modular CompactPCI Serial systems from duagon for 5G routing and all comfort systems. The x86 computing platforms are at the absolute cutting edge of technology: The main component is the duagon CPU board G029M, which generates up to 25% more computing power than previous models. Among other things, it includes a 13th generation Intel Core i7 processor, soldered 96 GB DDR5 RAM, and 120 GB NVMe storage. TMP 2.0 for high cybersecurity is also included. Additional plug-in cards supplement the system with 10Gb Ethernet interfaces for high-speed data transfer and 16 TB of storage space. The simple and modular plug-in card principle is particularly maintenance-friendly and future-proof, as individual cards can be efficiently replaced as needed. In addition, a slot has been deliberately left free so that state-of-the-art GPU cards can be added for performance-intensive AI applications.
Maintenance-free box PC for central train server
Siemens Mobility also chose computing hardware from duagon for the central train server. The BL74W box PC uses the same processor architecture as the CompactPCI Serial systems for 5G routing and comfort systems. This allows Siemens Mobility and rail operators to benefit from significant synergies in software development, as the development processes are much leaner and more efficient than for two different systems. In addition, the BL74W scores with energy-saving components and can therefore be operated without a fan. Since it is also designed to be maintenance-free, it reduces the maintenance costs of the new S-Bahn trains.
Computing hardware specifically designed for the requirements of railway technology
Both the computer platforms for 5G routing and comfort functions and the box PC, which is used as a train server, have been specially developed for the harsh requirements (e.g., shock, vibration, and extreme ambient temperatures) of railway technology. Their performance resources are dimensioned in such a way that they will ideally meet the requirements of future applications for many years to come. In the new suburban trains, the systems are used redundantly to ensure safe operation. Additional computing hardware from duagon is also running in a number of subsystems from external suppliers.
