International Railway Journal - August 2007 - (Page 39b)

software Data test The result is a ready-to-test system which is available for the data test, which verifies that customised data, such as a specific type of interlocking, is complete and correct. It tests the configuration data for the elements of the outdoor equipment, their topographical arrangement and their specific properties, and checks them for completeness. Overall system tests The overall system test ensures the railway-specific software is appropriate for its correct implementation within the railway’s general operating rules and regulations. The catalogue of functions provided by the operator serves as the basis for this test. All applications are mapped and tested in specifically-configured test configurations. The scope of the overall system test also includes a system stability test, where hardware components are prepared so that events such as switching a board on and off, resetting a board, failure of a board, interruption of an Ethernet connection, or broken fibreoptic cables are simulated by automated remote control and via test catalogues. Originally, a test engineer had to simulate these events by intervening manually in the test system. Before commissioning, the complex computer systems and networks have to endure a stress test. A mobile, automated test system generates load situations in the equipment far beyond real life situations. In this way, Siemens ensures that computer and network equipment is reliable, and that a high level of availability for the entire equipment can be reached from the first day it is used in service. An interlocking simulation at the Siemens Mass Transit Test Centre. Due to the shorter headways required in metros today, the overall system is subjected to a stress situation far in excess of anything which occurs in reality. The stress limits determined in this way provide information about system reserves that are still available, ensuring high stability for normal operation. For simulating the operator control level, we use automated route setting combined with train movements to implement stress tests involving several hundred operator control actions per hour. Real-time simulation of external equipment enables us to establish the threshold for realistic and practicallyoriented testing. To this end, we are able to simulate the switching points and clearing of signals at the system test centre. be subjected to a supply test of the following basic functions: correct start-up of all Eproms correct reset of elements operability complete indication correct labelling of Eproms, and checking of the number of Eproms. A successful supply test guarantees that the software is supplied to the customer in the correct quantity and with a high level of quality. Conclusion The Mass Transit Test Centre is an excellent facility for performing extensive tests, both on the system level of individual technologies (interlockings, control level, train control), and in the interconnection of all technologies. Comprehensive equipment with test systems and test tools is just as decisive for success as good test management and a good test organisation. The increase in software complexity incurs more and more testing work. Larger and larger test sequences are increasingly being automated to enable work to be performed cost-effectively for projects without forfeiting test quality and completeness. The tests are performed in parallel with on-site system installation so as to ensure that a tested software release is available for the interlocking by the time the system is completed. This approach substantially reduces both on-site tests and installation times during commissioning of the new system. IRJ Factory acceptance Once the system software has reached a defined release level, a factory acceptance test (FAT) is performed on the overall system. The date for this test is a milestone within the course of the project and is generally determined in consultation with the customer. The contents of the FAT are defined on a project-specific basis and checked at the test centre together with the customer. Simulation systems Extensive tests of complex control and signalling and safety systems can be performed in a very short time due to automated simulation systems. For stress tests, test catalogues are generated from the timetable data and then run automatically. The test catalogues control track occupancy detection and outdoor equipment simulation, simulating a large number of trains in operation. Supply test In line with the requirements of the project processing procedure, the released system software is prepared at the test centre for supply. Each software package supplied to a customer has to IRJ August 2007 39b

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of International Railway Journal - August 2007

Contents This month News Market News Transit News News Analysis Voith Goes For Maxima Impact First Gauge-Changeable Loco Under Test Power Surge China Feels the Need For Speed A Firm Foundation For Chinese High-Speed Testing Times on the Betuwe Route Tough Tests For Mass Transit Software A Measure of Success Rendezvous Full Contact List Advertisers Index The Last Word

International Railway Journal - August 2007

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