Written by Nuno Vasco, Field Sales Engineer- Rail
I have been managing the Rail Industry for Phoenix Contact for over a year now and I can only look back and reflect on the challenges faced by myself. Also how I have tackled these challenges and removed them from the equation.
In April last year I started investigating the signalling and infrastructure sectors of the rail industry here in the UK and after many discussions, events and networking evenings I have been put on the “right track”. Starting conversations with Network Rail and given guidance through many institutions of which I am a member of the Permanent Way Institution and the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers.
When it comes to designing a new electronic device, the initial considerations are function and aesthetics to ensure the device meets the requirements of the environment it is designed to function in.
Designing a network is always an intensive process, planning out what is needed and how devices will communicate with one another. Talking to people involved with each process, talking to the safety engineer and talking to the controls engineer and many other people. You have planned out the subnet and if any other network protocols are to run across the topology. But the one thing most network designers forget is what media and what connection is going to be used.
A smart city is the re-development of an area or city using data and communication technologies to enhance the performance and quality of services such as energy, connectivity, transportation, utilities and others. The adoption of smart applications can provide a range of benefits for residents, from public safety to health and transportation. One such area is lighting and how this fits within the IoT world.