Frauscher’s Point Control: EULYNX, SIL 4, & Rail Safety Innovation

Frauscher Sensor Technology Wins Railway Technology Excellence Award for Point Control System

In a resounding recognition of innovation and technological advancement, Frauscher Sensor Technology has been awarded the prestigious Product Launches award in the Control Systems category at the 2025 Railway Technology Excellence Awards. This accolade acknowledges Frauscher’s groundbreaking next-generation point control system, a solution engineered to address critical industry needs in safety, interoperability, and operational efficiency. The Railway Technology Excellence Awards, powered by GlobalData, celebrate the most significant achievements in the railway sector, recognizing leaders who are shaping the future of the industry. This article delves into the specifics of Frauscher’s winning system, exploring its key features, technical innovations, and the profound impact it promises to have on modern railway operations. The award was presented for the Frauscher Point Control System, who is committed to open network communication in compliance with CENELEC cat. 3 standards.

EULYNX Compliance and Enhanced Interoperability

A central pillar of the Frauscher Point Control System is its adherence to the European Union’s EULYNX (European Railway Interoperability) standards, specifically Baseline 4.2. EULYNX aims to standardize interfaces within railway signaling systems, allowing components from various manufacturers to seamlessly integrate. Frauscher’s early adoption of these standards promotes true interoperability, empowering railway operators to upgrade or expand their infrastructure without being locked into proprietary systems. The system’s standardized interfaces—SCI (Standard Communication Interface), SSI (Standard Security Interface), SDI (Standard Diagnostic Interface), and SMI (Standard Maintenance Interface)—ensure compatibility across diverse technologies and equipment generations. This design enables the system to be retrofitted to work with older point machines while still communicating with modern interlocking computers, thereby enabling the management of both single and multi-motor turnouts within a unified system, regardless of the era or manufacturer of the point machine. This promotes flexibility and compatibility, optimizing the integration process and boosting efficiency across the entire system lifecycle. Furthermore, the use of open network communication, compliant with CENELEC (Comité Européen de Normalisation Électrotechnique) cat. 3 standards, guarantees secure and reliable connectivity to a wide range of signaling architectures, including decentralized and cloud-based solutions.

SIL 4 Safety, Scalability, and Reliability

The Frauscher Point Control System delivers SIL 4 (Safety Integrity Level 4) control and monitoring capabilities, the highest safety level for railway applications. This ensures reliable execution of point machine operations, minimizing the risk of failures. The system is engineered for high availability and consistent performance, operating effectively across a broad temperature range (-40°C to +70°C), making it suitable for various environmental conditions. Its modular architecture is a key advantage, facilitating scalability and adaptability. Each point machine is controlled by a dedicated Point Control Unit (PCU), with up to 20 PCUs combinable within a single system. This modularity enables railway operators to start with smaller installations and expand as needed, without requiring significant system architecture changes. Supporting both single and multi-motor turnouts, along with various wiring options (4, 7, 9, or 11-wire configurations), ensures compatibility with different point machine types. Installation and commissioning are simplified by the compact design and DIN rail mounting of all components, including the PCU, Frauscher Connect, and Power Protection Unit (PPU). The internal power supply and Ethernet bus system are connected via a DIN rail connector, reducing cabling requirements.

Advanced Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

A standout feature of the Frauscher Point Control System is its integrated condition monitoring capabilities. The system continuously collects and analyzes diagnostic data, including current, voltage, power, cosPhi, and turning time metrics of the point machine. This data, available in real-time via OPC-UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture), can be delivered via the SDI (Standard Diagnostic Interface). By closely monitoring these parameters, the system can detect anomalies or trends indicative of potential issues, enabling predictive maintenance strategies. For example, changes in motor current or cycle times can signal mechanical wear or electrical faults before they result in failures. This allows for proactive maintenance scheduling, which minimizes downtime, optimizes resource allocation, and lowers overall maintenance costs. The integration with Frauscher Insights further supports data-driven decision-making for maintenance planning and documentation.

Secure and Efficient Operations

The Point Control System is engineered for secure communication over open networks, with encryption of safety and diagnostic protocols, compliant with EN 50159 cat. 3, and incorporating cybersecurity features up to SL 3 (Security Level 3). Frauscher Connect serves as a versatile connectivity manager, supporting secure communication and the separation of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) networks. Device and board redundancy are supported within the system, enhancing reliability. The Power Protection Unit (PPU) safeguards the internal power supply from overvoltage, overcurrent, and external disturbances, adding to overall system robustness. The system’s architecture streamlines complex integrated systems by minimizing hardware and cabling requirements. Real-time monitoring and reporting of point status to the interlocking system ensure quicker response times and improved situational awareness. The system’s ability to integrate both legacy and modern point machines facilitates incremental network modernization, allowing operators to upgrade signaling systems in stages, integrating older field elements with new digital interlockings managed through a single, standardized interface, supporting long-term operational flexibility and cost-effective infrastructure development.

Conclusion

The Frauscher Point Control System’s recognition with the Product Launches award is a testament to the company’s dedication to innovation and its strategic vision for the railway industry. The system’s commitment to EULYNX standards, coupled with its robust safety features, modular design, and advanced condition monitoring capabilities, positions it as a leading solution for modern railway signaling. This system is poised to significantly enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of railway operations worldwide. The industry will benefit from its ability to boost operational flexibility and offer cost-effective infrastructure developments. Furthermore, the system’s adaptability to decentralized architectures, including cloud-based signaling, indicates its responsiveness to evolving operational models. As the railway sector continues to embrace digital transformation and seek greater interoperability, Frauscher’s Point Control System sets a new standard for object control solutions, ensuring secure and efficient railway operations for years to come. The development of this product and its success are further enhanced by the company’s emphasis on open network communication and compliance with international standards, assuring that the system remains at the forefront of technological advancements in railway signaling.

Company Summary

Frauscher Sensor Technology is a global leader in railway technology, specializing in train detection and wayside object control solutions. The company provides the industry with reliable field elements for highly available operations. Beyond hardware, Frauscher offers a comprehensive portfolio that includes software, connectivity, and data transmission solutions, all backed by data-based lifecycle services. With a network of locations and strong partners worldwide, Frauscher guarantees robust supply chains and optimal customer support. By leveraging its expertise, Frauscher helps operators unlock the full potential of rail transport, focusing on safety, efficiency, and capacity maximization.