Research and Development

Key to the success of Dimetronic Signals is its continuing investment in and commitment to Research & Development.

Dimetronic Signals, jtogether with the other signalling companies of the Invensys Rail Systems Group, has an extensive record in pioneering new developments of signalling systems and equipment, and also in introducing qualitative technological innovations.

The organisation of these railway signalling companies within the same Group make possible the integration and co-ordination of the areas of Research & Development under a unique management. This allows sharing a joint team of specialised resources by all companies and an increase of the human resources as well as its availability to successfully carry out large signalling projects.

The Electronic Interlocking WESTRACE is an outstanding example of a joint development achieved by the companies of the Invensys Rail Systems Group. Dimetronic Signals has participated in this development with a 25% share.

TODAY

Currently, Invensys Rail Systems is pioneering the development of technological innovations towards the application techniques of radio based railway signalling. Specifically, the ETCS project, European Train Control System, which is presently in an advanced stage of development. Dimetronic Signals is one of the members of the UNISIG group, which is working on the development of the ETCS, as a part of the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management) programme, supported by the European Union.

Another project achieved by Dimetronic Signals through its Research & Development activity has been EMSET, co-ordinated by CEDEX, to test the interoperatibility of the ATP systems.

Formal and structured methods govern the approach of Dimetronic Signals to software engineering. The languages we use are those that most readily accommodate to these disciplines and these include ADA, Pascal and Visual C++.

SAFETY

Fundamental to all areas of development undertaken by Invensys Rail Systems Group, are the safety and reliability aspects of the equipment and systems designed and manufactured. Throughout a strict follow-up of the life cycle of the products, the safety of the design is assured, due to the application of the international standards and procedures requested to all development projects.

HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT

Dimetronic Signals has many years of practical experience in designing sophisticated, yet safe and reliable mechanical, electro-mechanical and electronic systems, and hardware for many railway companies. The equipment designed by Invensys Rail Systems Group are installed and are fully operative in the harshest railway atmospheres, in which the extreme, thermal environmental conditions, of humidity and electric interference can only accept the installation of equipment of the highest quality.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Dimetronic Signals and the signalling companies that are part of Invensys Rail Systems Group develop the software that work in the equipment and systems that they manufacture. This Software forms an integral part of most of the equipment designed by the Group, and it is also destined for applications, that control global signalling systems, such as those of Control Centres. All software developed by this Group of companies is managed to strict procedures and disciplines which ensure the safety of the system.