The Alister Platform for Electronic Interlockings

Signalling technology on a new track
Based on the generic Alister platform Funkwerk IT develops cost-effective electronic interlockings. The Alister platform is based on standard industrial, communication and hardware components with high availability for which spare parts can be supplied at any time and without delay. Funkwerk IT combines these components with advanced information technology to create custom-made interlocking solutions for passenger traffic, marshalling yards, depots and industrial railways which can be scaled to the size, degree of safety and range of functionalities.

Future-proof - thanks to modular standard components
All Alister interlocking types are based on standard industrial components such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and commercial off-the-shelf switches, routers and PCs. Thus replacement parts are inexpensive and always immediately available and the long-term availability of the components guarantees a long service life of the entire interlocking system. Furthermore configurable standard modules ensure simple interfacing to existing signaling installations and track-side elements of different manufacturers.

Advanced information technology for intelligent interlocking solutions
Analogue to the use of standard industrial hardware components, Funkwerk IT also applies standardised procedures and advanced professional IT tools in the development of signalling systems.
Short implementation periods and a high degree of flexibility in the system configuration are the result.

Scalable safety from SIL 0 to SIL 4
Whether the electronic interlockings are for passenger traffic, depots, industrial railways, marshalling or gravity hump yards - standard industrial components and development processes from Funkwerk IT enable tailor-made safety in compliance with the CENELEC standards EN 50126, 50128 and 50129.
On sections where the safety requirements are high, for instance lines with passenger services, components which comply with level SIL 4 of the CENELEC standards can be used. For sections where safety requirements from SIL 0 to SIL 3 are adequate, Alister systems with an adapted degree of safety are available.


The advantages at a glance:

• Low life-cycle costs thanks to use of tried-and-tested technological standards (e.g. PLC, Ethernet)
• Scalable safety levels (SIL 0 to SIL 4) in compliance with the European CENELEC standards
• Immediately available, low-cost spare parts
• Compact and modular system architecture
  Manufacturer-independent open interface management
• Very short implementation periods due to formalised, tool-supported development processes
• Low investment and operating costs
• High degree of availability, safety and reliability
  
• ERTMS compatibility