CAMTECH/S&T/S/2010/HB/SSDAC/1.

PART – A

DIGITAL AXLE COUNTER (SINGLE SECTION)

1.0 Introduction
Axle counter is a device for monitoring a specified section of track for the
presence of vehicle. Conventional axle counters were designed with transistorized
circuits and ICs. Now Axle Counters are designed using Micro-Controllers and
Software program, and these are called as “Digital Axle Counters”. The
communication used in the system is by means of packets for exchange of
information between units. This communication is in duplex mode and is fail safe.
(In duplex mode data is exchanged between two connected devices in both
directions simultaneously. Data flow takes place independently in both directions)

1.1 Classification of Digital Axle Counter

There are two types in use:

• Single Section Digital Axle Counter

• Multiple Section Digital Axle Counter

Single section axle counters are generally used to monitor a single track section i.e
there is only one entry point and one exit point for a particular track section.
Digital data is transmitted directly between two axle counter field equipments by
means of modem communication. Whereas a Multi Section Digital Axle Counter
is used to monitor a track Section confined by multiple Entry and Exit points.

1.2. Single Section Digital Axle Counter

1.2.1 General Description

Single Section Digital Axle Counter consists of axle detectors and field units (1 or
2 or 3 or 4) confining a track section connected together by transmission medium
which is in VF range. It is capable of counting axles, count comparison, finding
direction of axle movement, supervision, relay drive and transmission of counts
and health of axle detectors and field units.

Track clear indication shall only be given when IN count and OUT count are
equal and equipment is functioning all right. Axle counter shows occupied when
any of the its sub-assemblies belonging to the section is damaged , missing or has
become faulty.

The Axle Counter detects change of both amplitude and phase of the axle detector
receiver signal.

On Indian Railways Single Section Digital Axle Counters are designed as per
RDSO Specification No. RDSO/SPN/177/2005. The interconnection block
diagram for SSDAC is given on next page.

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Vital relay Vital relay

Communication
link
Field Unit - 1 Field Unit - 2

Track Device Track Device

Fig.1.1: SSDAC interconnection Block diagram

1.2.2 Communication
For transmission of data between field units, following communication links can
be used:
a) Telecomm. Quad cable (0.9 mm. dia.) – ½ quad (As per IRS:TC:30/97).
b) PIJF cable (0.9 mm. dia.) – 1 pair (IRS:TC 41/97).
c) OFC – One 2 wire voice channel.

1.2.3 Salient Features

• It can support upto 4 detection points and generate vital relay outputs for each
detection point.
• Each track section can be reset independently from a reset box or with co-
operation from other station depending upon the installation.
• The Event logger records all the events occurring in the single section digital
axle counter.
• It has such an arrangement that wheels of push trolleys, dip lorries, rail dollies
etc. are not counted by it. Trolley protection track circuit is not required with
phase modulation.

1.2.4 Configuration
Single Section Digital Axle Counter works in following 5 configurations:

(i) One detection point single section : In terminal lines/siding.

Fig 1.2 (a)

(ii) Two detection points single section: In straight line.

Fig 1.2 (b)

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(iii) Three detection points single section: In point zone.

Fig 1.2 (c)

(iv) Four detection points single section: In point zone.

Fig 1.2 (d)

(v) Three detection points for two consecutive sections.

Fig.1.2(e)
1.2.5 Main Parts
The SSDAC broadly consists of following parts:

1. Axle detectors.
2. DAC field units.
3. Reset unit.
4. Vital Relay unit.
5. Event logger.
6. Diagnostic system

1.2.6 Functions of various parts

(i) Axle detector

It comprises of two sets of Transmitter/Receiver coils/sensors. These operate at
frequencies above 20 KHz. These are of web mounted type. One detection point
comprises a set of two transmitter and two receiver coils fitted adjacent to each
other.

(ii) DAC Field unit

It has 2 out of 2 architecture. It detects and counts axles passing over the axle
detector according to the principle of wheel detection, as well as determine the
direction of passing axles. The field units transmit axle counts and health status to
other end field unit and vice-versa at regular intervals. Provision is available for
setting unique address of each field unit. The address shall be minimum 8 bits.

Principle of wheel detection

The following paragraphs explain the principle of wheel detection:
(a) The train wheel bridges the one set of two Transmitter/Receiver coils of
different frequencies while passing over them and creates an overlapping

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pulse for Phase detector 1 and phase detector 2 which results in counting
of wheels. If phase of signal output of Rx is compared with Tx then under
wheel condition Tx and Rx will be in phase <100mV
(b) A trolley wheel, because of its lesser diameter does not bridge the coils
and hence a non-overlapping pulse is created for PD1 and PD2 by which
the wheel is not counted. However solid trolley wheels create error
condition sometimes. Under No wheel condition Tx and Rx signals will be
180° out-of-phase >10V.
(c) The four spoked trolley wheel, dip lorry wheel and rail dolly wheels do not
generate any pulse due to which the movement of these wheels is ignored.

The above principle is explained in the diagrams given below:

PD1 Fig 1.3 (a) Wheel

Detection - Train
PD2 Wheel - Count

Overlap Signal

PD1
Fig 1.3 (b) Wheel
PD2 Detection - Trolley
Wheel - No Count

Non-Overlap Signal

PD1 Fig 1.3 (c) Wheel

Detection - Dip
Lorry - No Count
PD2

(iii) Reset unit

Reset boxes are provided in ASM room to reset respective track sections. These
work from 24 V DC supply.
If all the field units of an axle counter section are placed in the same station,
same/one reset box can be used to reset all the field units of one section in
parallel.
If any field unit of an axle counter section is placed in separate station then
separate reset box is used for resetting that field unit.
The following are provided in the Reset box:
1. A six digit (min.) non-resettable type counter.
2. Reset switch with key.
3. Reset push button – RED.
4. Axle counter section clear indication (LED 10 mm) – GREEN.
5. Axle counter section occupied indication (LED 10 mm) – RED.
6. Power OK indication (LED 3 mm) – YELLOW.

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7. Preparatory reset indication (LED 3 mm) – GREEN.

8. Line verification indication (LED 3 mm) –YELLOW.

The possibility of reset will be as per table below:

Sr. Whether Reset
No. Condition permitted (Yes/No)
1. No in-count, No out-count, Section clear and healthy. No
2. No in-count, No out-count, Error has occurred. Yes
3. Only in-count, No out-count, System healthy. No
4. Only in-count, No out-count, Error has occurred. Yes
5. In-count and out-count started, System healthy. Yes
6. In-count and out-count started, Error has occurred. Yes
7. No in-count, but only out-count started, System goes to error. Yes
8. System in preparatory mode. No

(iv) Vital relay drive and Relay unit

The vital relays are mounted in the space provided in the relay unit. These are 24
V DC, 1000 ohm plug-in type relays.
The pick up and drop contacts of vital relay are utilized for indicating the axle
counter section clear and occupied respectively. The other contacts of vital relay
can be used in interlocking circuits e.g. Signal clearance circuit.
For one detection point single section and two detection point single section
configuration, each field unit drives its vital relay. The field unit of the common
detection point mentioned in 3.4.5 drives two relays of adjacent sections.
For three detection point single section and four detection point single section
configuration, vital relay may be provided in any one of the field units.

(v) Event Logger

The Event Logger is inbuilt in each field unit. It works automatically without any
other input required to be given. It is possible to download logged events to a
commercial computer through standard port.

The Event logger shall record following events at the minimum.

• Resetting of track section or field unit.
• Failures/errors in field units.
• Breakdown of communication link(s).
• Change in relay status for section occupied/clear.
• Change in 5 V output of DC-DC Converter beyond limits.
• Change in date/time.

(vi) Diagnostic system

Diagnostic system of the axle counter provides:

• Local and remote diagnostics and testing of system through a serial

connection.
• Self detection of error codes and brief description in reset box through
alphanumeric LCD display.
• The same display normally shows in count/out count detection point-wise and
section-wise and software version No. when the system is switched on
initially.

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• After running the diagnostic software, the system data (viz. Current data and
Historical data) can be downloaded and analysed on the PC. The historical
data may be used to reconstruct the sequential occurrence of events happened
in the system.

1.3 Resetting of Single Section Digital Axle Counter

There are three types of reset applied for a Digital Axle Counter, namely:

Direct Hard Reset

Direct hard reset shall not be provided normally, which resets the axle counter
directly to clear the axle counter without any verification/co-operation/piloting or
out count.

Preparatory Reset
After doing preparatory reset, axle counter continues to show occupied until one
train movement takes place in the section by piloting.

Conditional Hard Reset

This reset is activated after physical verification of clearance of track section from
site using line verification box. The axle counter will show clear after conditional
hard reset.
Depending on the application of axle counter, different types of procedures are
followed as given in the following table:

S. No. Axle Counter Track Section Type of reset

1. Points zone Conditional Hard Reset
2. Loop line and Sidings Conditional Hard Reset
3. Main line Preparatory Reset
4. Section between Advance Starter Preparatory Reset
and IBS
5. Automatic section Preparatory Reset
6. Block Proving by Axle Counter Preparatory Reset

Resetting of SSDAC of different vendors is different, hence it is dealt separately

vendor-wise.
(a) A reset operation is only possible when section is occupied or disturbed or
there is an error in the system .
(b) Reset key operation (including line verification switch) should be performed
by an authorized person only.

1.4 RDSO approved firms

At present there are three RDSO approved firms for supply and installation of
Single Section Digital Axle Counter on Indian Railways:
1. M/s Eldyne Electrosystems Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata.
2. M/s Central Electronics Ltd., Sahibabad
3. M/s G.G.Tronics, Bangalore
Part C,D & E of this handbook cover axle counters of above firms respectively.

Part-A -Digital Axle Counter (Single Section) April 2010