Study on Fault Diagnosis Method of Train Communication Network applied to the prototype Korean High Speed Train

The development project of Korean High Speed Train (KHST) was started in 1996. As a national research project, the KHST project aims for a development of the next generation prototype train that has a maximum speed of 350 km/h. The development process of prototype KHST including 7 vehicles was completed last year and currently the prototype train is on its way of test running over the test track with gradually increased speed. The prototype KHST uses the real time network called TCN (Train Communication Network) for exchanging information between various onboard control equipments. After 10 years of development and modification period, TCN was confirmed as international standard (IEC61375-1) for the electrical railway equipment train bus. In the prototype KHST, all major control devices are connected by TCN and exchange their information. Such devices include SCU (Supervisory Control Unit), ATC (Automatic Train Control), TCU (Traction Control Unit), and so forth. For each device that sends and receives data using TCN, a device has to find out whether TCN is in normal or failure state before its data exchange. And also a device must have a proper method of data validation that was received in a normal TCN state. This is a one of the major important factors for devices using network. Some misleading information can lead the entire system to a catastrophic condition. This paper briefly explains how TCN was implemented in the prototype KHST train, and also shows what kind of the fault diagnosis method was adopted for a fail safe operation of TCN system