While modern railway vehicles are often operated for up to 30 years and more, state-of-the art components are used to retro-fit and modernize the electronics part: In this case a DIN rail based OEM control system is used for centralized or decentralized control, monitoring and diagnosis of all functions during drive and brake operation. The system optimizes the operation process and relieves the driver. The open modular system is based on a standardized user interface (IEC61131) and modular hardware using CANopen (safety CAN) as the system bus. It works in an ambient operation temperature between -40 to +85°C and the electronic boards inside are conformal coated to protect them from condensation. The housing is HF-tight and resistant to solvents.

The individual modules feature plug-and-play functionality and can be hot-plugged during operation. All of them have their own self-diagnosis. Continuous tests during operation allow for error recognition independent of the switch state. The system conforms to the EN 50155 railway standard, with safety standard according to EN 50126, 50128, 50129 and protection level IP40. The processor module is based on the MPC5200 PowerPC® and features 32MB working memory, program memory in CompactFlash®, one UART, Ethernet, USB, two CAN interfaces and an alphanumeric display for status and diagnosis. The power supply covers wide range inputs from 24 to 110V (a specific 24V type is used for diesel locomotives), is short-circuit proof and comes with continuous, no foldback, inrush current limiting.

The collection of I/O modules includes digital input and output modules with 8 to 155 V wide range I/O, analog input and output modules with each channel individually electrically isolated, relay, PT100 and pulse encoder input modules. The bus system support comprises CAN bus, Ethernet, optionally MVB (Multifunction Vehicle Bus) as the wagon bus and WTB (Wire Train Bus) via gateway as connection to the train bus. MVB and WTB together form the TCN (Train Communication Network), which is integrated in the IEC 61375 standard and developed together with the UIC (International Union of Railways).