Rail Computer Solutions
EN50155 Certified Rail and Rolling Stock Computers
EN 50155-compliant and EN 45545-certified rolling stock computers built with vibration-resistant M12 connectivity
Meeting the stringent safety requirements is standard for rail applications, as these environments demand the highest levels of reliability and durability. PC products often need pre-certifications such as EN50155 and EN50121 to ensure they meet the necessary operational and safety standards. Furthermore, these products must also be anti-vibration compliant, adhering to the rigorous testing outlined in MIL-STD 810F-514.5, specifically in categories C1, C2, and C3. This compliance not only guarantees performance under challenging conditions but also fosters confidence in the safety protocols established within the railway industry, ensuring that both manufacturers and operators can depend on the equipment’s resilience and longevity.
BVM Rail Computer Design, Manufacturing and UK Distribution Services
EN50155 & EN45545-Certified Railway Hardware Engineered and Supported in the UK
- In-House UK Design & Customisation Services
- Custom chassis design, thermal cooling management, bespoke cabling, and custom PCB layout.
- Rugged and Portable Pelicase PC Solutions with Touchscreen Interactivity
- An alternative to rugged laptops or tablets, providing better protection and IP rating (if required)
- Space for custom electronics and selectable I/O.
- Cost-effective option when seeking a customized portable computer solution with HMI
- UK-Engineered Carrier Board and Custom Electronics Design & Manufacturing
- Bespoke carrier boards for COM Express, SMARC, Qseven, NVIDIA Jetson, and Raspberry Pi.
- Industrial & Embedded Hardware Distribution
- From small-form-factor fanless box PCs to high-performance 4U rack AI inference systems.
- Rugged, industrial touchscreen panel PCs (7″ to 32″).
- Long-lifecycle industrial motherboards, embedded SBCs, and Computer-on-Modules.
Our Expertise: Over 35 Years of UK-Based Embedded Computing
At BVM, we bring over 35 years of experience to the design, manufacture, and distribution of robust computing hardware for railway applications. Operating from our UK-based facilities, we act as a trusted partner for rail OEMs, rolling stock manufacturers, and transport systems integrators worldwide, delivering computing platforms engineered for trackside signalling, in-train communications, and passenger information systems (PIS).
What We Offer OEMs, ODMs, and System Integrators
From our design and manufacturing facility in Southampton, BVM offers a reliable, UK-managed supply chain for transit and rolling stock deployments. We provide a comprehensive range of off-the-shelf, EN 50155-compliant and EN 45545-2 certified rail PCs, fanless controllers, and rugged displays. Our local team configures, tests, and integrates these systems with specialized features – such as secure M12 connectors, isolated wide-range DC power inputs, and conformal-coated electronics – to ensure alignment with stringent rail industry safety standards.
Bespoke Engineering and Prototyping
When standard rail computers cannot fit specialized carriage dimensions, require specific isolated communication ports, or present unique thermal challenges in restricted, non-ventilated spaces, our Southampton-based team can design a custom hardware solution from the ground up. By keeping design, assembly, and testing within the UK, we provide direct engineering collaboration, rapid prototyping, and close control over material selection to meet strict fire and smoke safety parameters. This ensures your railway and rolling stock systems operate reliably under continuous physical vibration while maintaining long-term lifecycle availability.
If you can’t find an “off the shelf” product that suits your needs, our in-house design team can create a new solution from scratch.
Case Studies
Case Study: Rail Communications – Custom Modem
Custom quad modem design for railway system communication. Low speed modem for multi-drop information flow in track side operation.
Case Study: Rail – Level Crossing Safety Systems
Here at BVM, we work on a wide range of projects, applying a range of expertise. Here we discuss our design and manufacture of a system PC, highlighting the challenge and our solution, plus much more.
Case Study: Rail Passenger Information & Communication Systems
As a prominent player in their field, our customer sought an innovative solution to elevate their railway passenger and platform information and communication systems for an established network provider for the UK rail network.
Key Features of Our Rail-Certified Products Include:
- Versatile DC Power Input Options: Compatible with a wide voltage range up to +110V. This ensures that the device can harness power from various sources and conditions, enhancing its adaptability in different environments.
- Comprehensive Display Connectivity: Features VGA, DVI-D, HDMI, and LVDS interfaces. This allows for flexible display options to accommodate different types of monitors and projectors, suitable for a range of applications.
- Engineered for Durability with Anti-Vibration Chassis Design. The specialized chassis is designed to withstand vibrations, making it ideal for use in industrial settings where movement and shaking are common.
- Enhanced Connectivity with Robust M12 I/O Connectors. These connectors are designed to resist vibration and provide reliable, durable connectivity even in harsh environmental conditions.
Rail solutions typically necessitate customization to align with rail application requirements. BVM manages these changes while ensuring standards compliance and certification through its collaborations with UK-based testing facilities. BVM’s technology extends to the interiors of train cabs and the rolling stock (meeting IEC 61373 standards), as well as trackside systems that enhance level crossing safety.
Rail PCs
Railway Embedded PC Systems available with Intel i3 / i5 / i7 / Celeron CPU’s. EN45545, EN50155 and EN50121-4 Certification. Suitable for demanding IIoT applications in the railway sector, including tasks like monitoring and controlling speed, temperature and security.
Rail Panel PCs
With rail certifications of EN45545, EN50155 and EN50121-4, Rail Panel PCs meet applications such as monitoring & controlling train speed, temperature and security & passenger infotainment updates – featuring high bright LED backlight (up to 1000 nits) display touchscreens to allow a train- operators to easily read any operational status messages, even under direct sunlight. Other features include display auto dimming and M12 lockable connectors to combat shock and vibration.
AI-based Transport Solutions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the transportation industry. Through autonomous vehicles, supply chain optimization, and improved air travel systems, AI enhances route efficiency, lowers costs, speeds up deliveries, and boosts safety, predicting a revolution in transportation logistics and services.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Transportation and the SMART City
Here are a few examples of how AI is being used in transportation and the smart city:
- Autonomous Vehicles: AI enables cars, trucks, buses, and drones to operate independently, managing navigation, obstacle avoidance, and efficient routing.
- Traffic Management: AI analyzes sensor data to optimize traffic flow and decrease congestion by adjusting traffic lights and rerouting vehicles.
- Public Transportation: AI improves public transport efficiency by optimizing routes and schedules, and offering real-time travel updates.
- Logistics & Supply Chain: AI enhances supply chain efficiency by optimizing goods distribution and warehouse operations.
- Environmental Monitoring: AI monitors environmental conditions, analyzing data on air quality and wildlife movements to track health and ecological trends.
- Energy Management: AI reduces costs and increases efficiency in energy usage across buildings and infrastructures by regulating systems like heating and electricity distribution.
The hardware needed for artificial intelligence (AI) varies based on the application and type of AI. Some algorithms demand powerful resources to function optimally. For instance, deep learning algorithms, used in image and speech recognition, need specialized hardware like graphics processing units (GPUs), which excel in complex matrix calculations, outperforming traditional central processing units (CPUs). In contrast, simpler AI types, such as rule-based systems, can operate on standard CPUs.
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
Contact BVM for all your Industrial and Embedded Computing OEM/ODM design, UK manufacturing or distribution needs. With over 35 years of experience, we supply standard hardware and design custom solutions tailored to your requirements.
Reach our expert sales team on 01489 780144 or email us at sales@bvmltd.co.uk.