To enhance the overall quality of the rail sector and drive innovation, IRIS certified companies can be awarded one of three performance levels — Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Achieving a higher quality performance level requires companies to boost customer satisfaction and improve the efficiency of their rail business. Moxa’s steadfast commitment since 2013 to ensure the quality, reliability, and safety of its rail products and solutions comply with the rigid rail industry standards has helped elevate Moxa’s performance level from Bronze to Silver.

Key performance areas for evaluation included customer satisfaction, timely delivery to customers, requirement management, project management, external supplier management, and traceability. Remarkable performance in these areas has significantly boosted Moxa’s scores in the overall audit categories, which cover Enablers, Process Performance, and Customer Perception.

The most recent IRIS Certification Revision 04 covers the latest version of the ISO 22163:2023 standard, the IRIS Certification Performance Assessment issued by UNIFE (Union of European Railway Industries) in July 2023, and the IRIS Certification Technology. It outlines a railway quality management system that integrates the ISO 9001 quality management standards along with railway-specific requirements.

With over 15 years of experience and expertise in digitalising the rail industry, Moxa has developed more than 500 product offerings dedicated to helping build successful railway-specific applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, closed-circuit television (CCTV), computer-based train control (CBTC), train control and monitoring systems (TCMS), onboard passenger information systems (PIS), public address (PA) systems, passenger Wi-Fi, condition monitoring, and Wi-Fi 6 train-to-ground (T2G) communication.

Moxa’s rail solutions are certified for a wide range of industrial standards, including EN 50155, EN 50121, IEC 62443-4-1/-2 cybersecurity, and EN 18031 for the wireless-capable product portfolio. This robust certification framework supports Moxa’s track record of over 1,000 successful deployments across 200 cities in over 50 countries.

With involvement in railway projects around the world, Moxa is proud to partner with many industry leaders in the global rail market to define advanced, industry-transforming technologies and co-develop standards like IEC 61375. Moxa is also an active participant in key rail working groups such as Safe4Rail and ITxPT to help advance Ethernet train communication networks and improve interoperability and integration for public transport.

Visit the Moxa Rail Portal.

Powered by investments

Rail operators are making significant investments in digitalisation and automation, worldwide. In Germany, Deutsche Bahn is trialling fully automated trains in Hamburg as part of its ‘Digital Rail Germany’ initiative, planning to increase capacity and reduce emissions without expanding the physical infrastructure. Meanwhile, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is advancing plans to introduce driverless Shinkansen bullet trains by the mid-2030s, starting with a line between Tokyo and Niigata.

All these efforts signal a wider shift toward rail systems built with AI at the heart, with real-time analytics and high-speed communication, all of which depend on reliable interconnect technology.

Connecting complexity

However, the railway environment has some of the most severe conditions for electrical cables and connectors. Rolling stock and trackside hardware are exposed to constant vibration, harsh temperature extremes from -55°C up to +200°C, as well as high humidity. Equally, connectors are also exposed to contaminants like dust, oil and de-icing agents.

Then, there is electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by traction drives and overhead cables, which can affect signal integrity, unless connectors are effectively shielded.

Connectors designed for rail applications must be ruggedised to meet stringent international standards such as EN 50155 and EN 45545-2, NFPA 130, VG 95234 and MIL-DTL-5015. These benchmarks define the connector’s ability to withstand shock, vibration, fire exposure and long-term environmental stress. RoHS and REACH variations along with corrosion resistant plating make for rugged and reliable connector solutions in the harshest environments.

Autonomous trains bring added demands on the connectors: They must be capable of supporting high-speed data transmission protocols such as Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet (typically Cat 6A and Cat 7), USB 3.1 and fibre optic interfaces.

All these protocols are essential for handling real-time data streams from sensors, LiDAR systems, onboard diagnostics and communication networks. Data rates in these environments can exceed 10Gbps, especially when multiple high-bandwidth systems, such as video surveillance, telemetry and predictive maintenance sensors are operating concurrently.

We mustn’t forget the mechanical aspect of connectors, where resilience remains critical. Connectors generally incorporate bayonet or threaded coupling systems to maintain secure connections under vibration. Contact retention mechanisms are designed for longevity, often rated for thousands of mating cycles. Contacts are generally gold-plated to minimise corrosion and offer low contact resistance for a prolonged time. These are also available in silver-plated versions.

Then, there is ease of maintenance as another crucial factor, particularly for retrofit applications. Modular connector designs and coding schemes enable simple installation and error-proofing. In addition, quick-disconnect configurations ensure quick field servicing with minimal downtime.

Future-proofing rail connectivity

As Rail 4.0 evolves, so too must the technology that supports it. Upcoming innovations in train autonomy and electrification demand connectors with greater bandwidth, higher power ratings and smarter integration capabilities.

For example, the development of distributed traction systems and battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) introduces new requirements for high-voltage, high-current connectors that can handle regenerative braking energy and rapid charging. These connectors must include safety interlocks, arc suppression features and compliance with standards such as IEC 61373 for shock and vibration.

Simultaneously, increased deployment of real-time diagnostics and condition monitoring means that connectors must support multiple sensor interfaces. Emerging designs now incorporate built-in diagnostics, enabling connectors themselves to report on temperature, contact resistance, or mechanical wear, turning passive components into intelligent assets.

Modularity is another key trend. Future rail systems will demand flexible, reconfigurable architectures to accommodate upgrades and regional customisations. Connectors that support daisy-chaining, backplane mounting and tool-less assembly are increasingly favoured to reduce downtime and simplify system expansion.

PEI-Genesis supplies a wide range of connectors engineered specifically for challenging rail environments. The portfolio includes high-power solutions designed to handle demanding electrical loads, as well as high-speed data connectors used in communications and control systems. These connectors are designed to meet strict global rail standards, including EN 50155. With modularity and rugged design as core principles, our connectors support applications ranging from onboard control systems to trackside signal units, playing an essential role in powering the next generation of autonomous rail technology.

Connectors remain vital

As the global rail industry accelerates towards full automation, the supporting technologies behind the scenes are just as vital as the software that guides the trains. Connectors play a crucial role in delivering the reliability, safety and performance required by Rail 4.0. They serve as the nervous system of modern trains, making real-time communication and electrified propulsion possible in even the harshest environments. Looking ahead, the connector landscape will continue to evolve alongside rail innovation, offering smarter, faster and more resilient solutions that keep the railways of the future on track.

By Karen James, Product Manager, PEI-Genesis

The VCCR300: A Powerhouse in a Compact Package

The VCCR300 stands out as a slim, fan-less DC DC converter, delivering 300 Watts of power in a compact form. Its dimensions, 7.43 x 4.6 inches with a 1-inch profile, make it perfect for space-sensitive applications like telecoms, street, and trackside furniture, 5G applications, and transportation.

Designed for the Demanding Railway Industry

Specifically crafted for the railway sector, the VCCR300 meets EN50155 standards. It accommodates a wide DC input voltage range, suitable for 48V, 72V, 96V, and 110V railway batteries.

Cool Under Pressure

The VCCR300’s high-efficiency design ensures minimal heat output, allowing operation in temperatures from -40°C to +70°C, and up to +85°C for brief periods. This feature is crucial in harsh environments where reliability is paramount.

Flexibility and Reliability

Offering standard output voltages of 12V, 24V, 36V, and 48V with an adjustment range of 90% to 125%, the VCCR300 is highly flexible. It also supports scalable power solutions from 300 Watts to 900 Watts and more, using onboard current share functions.

Safety and Standards

The VCCR300 is designed with safety in mind, featuring internal fusing and 10mS full power holdup. It includes a remote shutdown signal and programmable input undervoltage level. The unit meets EN50155 / EN50121, MIL-STD-810G, and IEC/UL62368-1 3RD Edition standards.

Long-Term Reliability

With a calculated MTBF exceeding 2 million hours, the VCCR300 offers long-term reliability. Its state-of-the-art conformal coating technology protects against environmental factors and provides mechanical support.

Vox Power and Relec Electronics – A Symphony of Power

Vox Power and Relec Electronics are harmoniously combined in the railway power supply sector. The VCCR300, their latest innovation, sets new industry standards, showcasing their commitment to innovation, reliability, and performance. The VCCR300 is not just a product but a statement of Vox Power and Relec Electronics’ leadership in power supply solutions for rugged, high-vibration environments.

To find out more about the ground-breaking Vox Power VCCR300 Series power supplies, visit the Relec Electronics website or contact our sales team at sales@relec.co.uk.

Featuring a wide, 16V to 160V DC input with 500V surge protection, rugged M12 connectors, and flexible storage options, the IVX-1000 is a resilient AI-enabled solution for in-vehicle applications such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), public safety, and mobile communications, as well as AIoT/Industry 4.0 applications.

The IVX-1000 has an LGA1700 CPU socket that can support Intel’s 13th and 12th Gen Core processors, (code names Alder Lake and Raptor Lake) including the high-performance 24 Core i9-13900E processor, a clever mixed core CPU, with eight Performance hyper-threaded cores and eight Efficient cores. The E cores can focus on background tasks, whilst the P cores will be available to run the more demanding applications uninterrupted. The IVX-1000 also features two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB of 4800MHz DDR5 memory.

The IVX-1000 is packed with a wide range of high-speed I/O such as four 10Gbps USB3.2 Gen2 ports, and nine 2.5G Network ports, supporting TSN (Time Sensitive Networking), a crucial step forward in high-speed Edge communication standards, allowing critical information to be transmitted and acted on in real-time.

Moreover, eight of these ports feature X-coded M12 connectors to maintain and secure connection in high vibration areas. For those users who have the latest IP cameras and other PoE-powered devices, four of the M12 ports offer PoE+, with 25.5W / 48V per port power.

In addition to its high-speed I/O options, all the IVX-1000 variants feature an M.2 3042 B-key socket, suitable for 5G modules, one M.2 2230 E-key for Wi-Fi, and one mini PCIe slot for expansion modules. Quad display output is also standard, via two DisplayPort outputs and two HDMI ports.

For storage, there are two SATA III ports, one mSATA connector, and one M.2. 2280 M-key (PCIe x4) socket, with some models offering removable storage via easy to access front mount caddies.

In conclusion, the IVX-1000 from Vecow is a cutting-edge, in-vehicle computing workstation that brings advanced capabilities to railway applications and AIoT environments. Powered by the latest Intel processors, it combines ruggedness with AI-enabled features, making it ideal for ADAS, public safety, mobile communications, and Industry 4.0 applications.
With comprehensive I/O options, expansion capabilities, and high-speed connectivity, the IVX-1000 ensures seamless, real-time communication, and reliable performance in demanding environments.

Impulse Embedded can fully configure all of their embedded systems to customer’s exact specifications in their UK-based engineering facility with a wide choice of processor, memory, storage, peripheral cards, and operating system.

Impulse Embedded create reliable, repeatable, and revision-controlled systems aimed at reducing project costs and development time. With our team of in-house engineers and specialists, all with decades of experience, we can offer you fully deployable embedded computing solutions straight out of the box.

Rochester Electronics has received the IATF 16949:2016 certification for the manufacture of semiconductor components at its US-based facilities. Developed by the International Automotive Task Force in conjunction with the international standards community, IATF 16949 is the industry’s highest standard for quality management systems in the automotive sector.

The use of semiconductor electronics in automotive applications has expanded rapidly over the last decades and continues to be one of the fastest-growing market segments. As a result, the semiconductor supply chain has now become integral to a manufacturer’s product planning. With a range of semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, Rochester Electronics supports its customers with individual services through to full turnkey manufacturing.

“This IATF certification further solidifies Rochester Electronics’ reputation for quality and reliability and highlights our commitment to our semiconductor partners and customers. We are extremely proud of our team for their work on achieving this milestone for the company.” said Mike Dube, VP Manufacturing and Engineering, Rochester Electronics.

Rochester Electronics is the world’s largest continuous source of semiconductors–100% Authorized by over 70 leading semiconductor manufacturers.

As an original manufacturer stocking distributor, Rochester has over 15 billion devices in stock encompassing more than 200,000-part numbers, providing the world’s most extensive range of end-of-life (EOL) semiconductors and broadest range of active semiconductors.

As a licensed semiconductor manufacturer, Rochester has manufactured over 20,000 device types. With over 12 billion die in stock, Rochester has the capability to manufacture over 70,000 device types.

Rochester offers a full range of manufacturing services including Design, Wafer Storage and Processing, Assembly, Test and Reliability, providing single solutions through to full turnkey manufacturing.

Rochester is the Semiconductor Lifecycle Solution. No other company compares to the breadth of Rochester’s product selection, value-added services, and manufacturing solutions.

With direct sales and support staff in all major markets, complemented by a network of regional and global authorized channel partners, we aim to meet your needs over the phone or via our e-commerce platforms anytime, anywhere.

For more information visit: www.rocelec.com

“Mission-critical products with long lifecycles have components that need to be tested decades after they were manufactured and their initial test systems were designed,” said Keith Moore, CEO of Pickering. “When instrumentation providers discontinue components in those test systems – these companies, often in aerospace/defense, railway transportation, or power, are left stranded, trying to find a replacement or facing an imminent and costly test system redesign.”

Furthermore, in highly regulated industries like defense, changing significant components, software, or processes in a test system can trigger a demand for that test system to be re-certified, a process that can cost anywhere from $1M to $100M.

Pickering’s success in growing its modular signal switching and simulation business – most recently achieving 25% YOY growth – hinges on the company’s ability to not just help customers manage obsolescence, but to help them minimize the chances of it occurring.

This approach builds confidence in prospects and has brought customers back to Pickering time and again. Pickering’s obsolescence strategy includes three key factors:

1. Planning for obsolescence during the design phase: Pickering engineering teams evaluate complete plans and anticipate upcoming industry challenges to ensure there’s a test solution to meet full demands.
2. Using standardised platforms: By supporting and maintaining more than 1000 PXI and LXI modules and thousands more iterated from those, Pickering offers standard solutions that are more easily evolved.
3. Ensuring ultra long-term support: Pickering commits to support modules designed into customer system for the entire product lifecycle, even redesigning modules when necessary.

If customers previously standardised on competitor platforms and now face obsolescence without a path forward, Pickering often can adapt modules to match form, fit, and function of the original hardware.

However, while sales have grown, both revenues and the book-to-bill ratio are flat.

Other key statistics include:

• Revenues are flat comparing YTD 2022 v YTD 2021.
• Importantly, revenues are still at +8% over pre-pandemic levels
• Book to Bill for the quarter was 1:1 but remains positive YTD
• All members key markets continue to show growth, but with some notable exceptions.

Distribution remains a major contributor – now well above pre-pandemic levels.    

Most UK markets continue to perform well with Communications, Data Processing, Broadcast, Utilities and Industrial leading the way, all with significant double-digit growth. Unfortunately, this is somewhat offset by decline in both the Mil/Aero and Mass Transport markets.

Whilst the UK connector market continues to face significant challenges, it remains remarkably resilient and as 2022 continues with positive trends in most markets, it will have been an exceptional year for ITSA members.

The existence of a certification programme from an internationally recognised provider is key to ensuring proper functionality, interoperability and compliance with oneM2M Release 2 and will underpin the future growth and adoption of the standard.

TTA has played a leading role in validating the testing platform for oneM2M Release 2 as well as participating, with oneM2M’s other partners, in the definition of the standard. TTA is also the first laboratory to offer a testing service for oneM2M Release 2.

oneM2M Release 2 provides support for industrial domain enablement – including real-time data collection, redundancy and fault tolerance – and home domain enablement. It also features additional technical capabilities that facilitate end-to-end security and functions as a generic interworking framework for other standards such as LWM2M and AllJoyn.

Lars Nielsen, CEO and general manager, GCF, commented: “This update marks a significant step forward in enabling the international adoption of the oneM2M standard. GCF’s well established certification programme for oneM2M, previously focused on Release 1, and our extensive support for cellular standards including 5G, provide a strong platform from which to launch our support for Release 2 and subsequent releases of the oneM2M standard.”

Younghae Choi, president of TTA, commented: “By starting the certification programme for the oneM2M Release 2 standard, which has already been adopted as an ITU-T recommended standard for IoT platforms, we hope that many countries and companies around the world will participate to create an environment where the IoT market expands and technology spreads. And as the first authorized test lab, TTA will provide reliable testing and certification services to ensure interoperability between oneM2M products.”

oneM2M is the global standards initiative for M2M communications and the Internet of Things. oneM2M develops technical specifications which address the need for a common M2M Service Layer that can be readily embedded within hardware and software and relied upon to connect the myriad of devices in the field with M2M application servers worldwide. oneM2M covers business domains including telematics and intelligent transportation, healthcare, utilities, industrial automation, and smart homes.

GCF plans to enable a certification programme for oneM2M Release 3 later in 2023.

A Glance at Our Presence

ASC hosted our own 350 square-meter booth, complete with a balcony, café seating, and a coffee and snack bar fully staffed with a barista and service team. Over the four days of the event, we invited visitors to enjoy free food and drinks and the opportunity to meet with members of the ASC team. At ASC, we believe the customer always comes first and strive to provide the best service and benefits in the international electronics industry. Electronica 2022 gave us the perfect opportunity to put that philosophy into practice for potential customers. Before leaving, everyone who stopped by got to spin our wheel of fortune for a prize. Free cocktails and vouchers for free shipping are just some examples of the items one was able to win. On the last day of electronica 2022, a professional violinist performed at the booth and enchanted the ears of every visitor in Hall B4 for several hours.

Supply & Demand Dilemma

One of the main topics of conversation at electronica 2022 was the distribution challenges many manufacturers and suppliers are facing. Like many other industries, the international electronics industry has suffered from shipping delays, supply chain bottlenecks, and shortages of both raw materials and skilled workers.

ASC’s Global Solution

At our booth, visitors from around the world got the opportunity to see electronic component distribution in a new light. Without the proper components, electronics manufacturers cannot meet global demand for a wide variety of products. Their options are to scale down production and lose profit or replace their usual materials with inferior ones, potentially hurting their reputation and leading to future revenue loss. ASC has over 5 million semiconductors, passives, and electromechanical components in stock from over a thousand name-brand suppliers. We can deliver anywhere in the world within 24 to 48 hours, helping to keep production lines moving. We also offer free quality testing, so our customers know that when we say, “quality is non-negotiable,” we really mean it.

“The definition of COM-HPC Mini is happening almost at the speed of light. If the working group maintains this performance, and I see no reason to slow it down as there are no significant technical challenges left to address, I am confident to have a release candidate available for the PICMG release process in Q1 2023, and a published specification by Q2 2023. I anticipate first product announcements will be closely tied to the publication date,” explains Christian Eder, Chairman of the COM-HPC technical committee and Director Product Marketing at congatec.
“The ‘HPC’ in COM-HPC stands for ‘High-Performance Computing’ but we now use it to refer to the ‘High-Performance Crew’ developing the COM-HPC family of specifications. The team’s performance is keeping pace with the rapidly changing embedded applications and technologies,” adds Jessica Isquith, PICMG President.
Details on COM-HPC Mini

The COM-HPC Mini pinout specification defines the use of one connector instead of the two implemented for the larger COM-HPC Client and Server modules (Sizes A -E), just like COM Express Mini compared to COM Express Type 6. But with COM-HPC, half the number of signal pins still means 400 signal lanes, which equals 90% of the capacity that COM Express Type 6 modules provide. COM-HPC Mini offers a 50% smaller footprint compared to COM-HPC Client Size A modules, the currently smallest available COM-HPC form factor. Such extremely small modules measuring only 60 x 95 mm are required for high-end embedded computer logic in devices such as top-hat rail PCs for control cabinets in building and industrial automation, or portable test and measurement devices. In addition, the new specification will enable engineers to integrate state-of-the-art computer interface technologies such as PCIe Gen4 and Gen5 into ultra-small processing units that provide highest performance. As the new specification will come with a focused high-performance pinout and will comply with the entire COM-HPC ecosystem, it is expected to become the high-end standard on top of the PICMG’s earlier COM Express Mini standard. PICMG expects the COM Express specification to continue leading the COM market for many years as it meets numerous standard application requirements now to be allocated in the mid-range performance sector.

The working group comprises 15 member companies and is sponsored by ADLINK, Kontron and congatec. Christian Eder of congatec is the Chairman and Stefan Milner is the specification Editor.

Created with engineers and OEMs in mind, these innovative LEDs deliver efficiency, design flexibility, and control for devices in a range of industries, including mil-aero, automated guided vehicles, EV charging stations, industrial, telecom, IoT/smart home, and medical.

• Streamlined design possibilities – Bi-color and RGB options save money and space on the HMI, communicating two or three operating modes in a single component.
• Popular color combinations – The SpectraBright LEDs are available in RGB as well as frequently used bi-colour variations: red/green, yellow/green, and amber/green.
• Greater control over light intensity – High and low brightness options with luminous intensities ranging from 15 to 160 mcd ensure each device provides the ideal light level for the device and application.
• Wide viewing angle for enhanced visibility – A clear lens and 120-degree viewing angle ensure high visibility for a host of applications, day or night.
• Perfect for standalone, array, and interface light source applications – The SpectraBright LEDs are even more powerful when used with VCC’s best-in-class rigid light pipe series, including 7511, 7512, LMC, LPC, LFC, and LFB. They’re also ideal as an efficient and durable light source for custom PMI and array designs.
• Reliable, long-lasting operation – With RoHS, REACH certifications, MIL-STD-750 D:1026 and MIL-STD-883 D:1005 standards, and an average LED life of 50,000 hours — more than double that of incandescents — the SpectraBright Series is made for the long haul.
• Available in popular sizes – Designed to make engineers’ lives easier, the LEDs are available in the following standard packages: 0603, 0606, 1204, and 1210.

“We’re excited to launch our new SpectraBright Series SMD LEDs, which will help our clients achieve sleeker designs while reducing costs and having great control over light intensity,” said VCC Product Manager, Mario Davila. “These multi-function indicators can perform as standalone lighting units, as well as being an ideal solution for use with light pipes and HMIs.”

The innovative SpectraBright Series will be available through VCC’s robust distribution network in late December 2022. T