MEN Mikro Elektronik - Embedded Computer Boards and Systems for Harsh and Safety-Critical Environments

Since its foundation in 1982 our company has been developing and manufacturing failure-safe computer boards and systems for extreme environmental conditions in industrial and safety-critical embedded applications. Our mission is to provide innovative solutions while maximizing reliability and flexibility.

Computer boards and manifold I/O boards

Our standard product range contains over 100 different standard computer boards based on Intel and PowerPC, with the corresponding BIOS, BSP and driver software, manifold I/O boards and completely configured systems based on:

• ESMexpress, ESMini and ESM computer-on-modules
• 3U and 6U CompactPCI, CompactPCI PlusIO, CompactPCI serial and VMEbus
• PMC, XMC and M-Modules as system-independent mezzanine I/O standards
• Rugged Ethernet switches and MIPIOS system components
• Box computers and display computers

The consistent use of FPGA technology gives us high flexibility when configuring customized and standard products.

Our products are used worldwide as control, measuring, test or simulation computers in all kinds of embedded applications. These comprise extremely safety-critical markets such as railways, buses and commercial vehicles, aerospace technology or shipbuilding, but also include mechanical engineering, the medical industry, telecommunications and the automotive industry. Computer systems in such applications are in operation up to 24hr a day and often need to be available for ten years and longer. Ideally no failures must occur to avoid costly downtimes of machines or danger to human life.

Computing solutions around EN 50155 railway standards

MEN computer equipment is currently in use for vital locomotive and driverless subway control functions, on-train safety and communication management, tilting control, and on-train and stationary information and entertainment systems. Our products are also used in electronic interlocking blocks (railway signalling), control and measuring functions in track-laying and maintenance vehicles, test computers for subways and streetcars, and station and track management systems.

Standard hardware platforms

Most of the standard CompactPCI, VMEbus and PCI-104 boards as well as our computer-on-modules are available for an operation temperature of -40°C to +85°C, either screened or with qualified components. CPU cards have special heat sinks and allow fan-less operation of the system.

All boards have passed additional shock and vibration tests in the company's own environmental laboratory and are prepared for coating against humidity, dust, salt fog or chemicals. Single-board computers are based on Intel (Atom, Core 2 Duo, Core Duo, Pentium M, Pentium III, Xeon) or PowerPC (MPC8314, MPC5121e, MPC8548, MPC5200B, MPC8540 / 60, MPC8245) processors.

Flexible and independent with FPGA technology

MEN has developed a wide range of IP cores to realise application-specific functions in FPGA with minimum cost effort and an optimum time to market. FPGA technology is indispensable wherever long-term availability or harsh industrial environments are involved. IP cores per se are not threatened by discontinuation, even if for instance an FPGA component is replaced by a newer one after ten years. In addition, the Cyclone types from Altera are qualified for an operation temperature of -40°C to +85°C right from the start.

System solutions and packaging technology

Besides standard 19in solutions MEN develops custom computer systems like human-machine interfaces, panel computers and DIN-rail computers. If required, the systems work without forced air-cooling, using technologies like conduction cooling.

I/O boards for control and instrumentation

Standard mezzanine cards like M-Modules, PMCs and PC-MIPs are used to expand the functionality of a CPU board in a modular and flexible way. They can be plugged on (intelligent) CompactPCI (Plus), VMEbus or stand-alone carrier boards. Pure railway-based I/O functions comprise, for example, digital input modules with a wide input voltage range of 0V to 155V.

Fieldbus solutions

Standardised profiles like the CANopen, multifunction vehicle bus (MVB) and wire train bus (WTB) application and communication profiles for rail vehicle control simplify system integration and maintenance. MEN offers interface and gateway boards based on these and other fieldbus or industrial Ethernet standards.

Electronic components in railway applications have to conform to the most rigid safety levels, combined with the most rugged environmental requirements. Because of the danger to human life and high downtime costs, reliability must be predictable, regular maintenance must not be required and batteries are not allowed. Thus, only the highest quality in development and production guarantees a reliable product for an operation period of up to 20 years.

IRIS and ISO-certified embedded computer boards and systems

We are certified to IRIS (railway), EN 9100:2003 (aerospace), ISO 9001:2000 (quality management) and ISO 14001:2005 (environmental management) in order to meet the severe quality requirements in critical applications and to offer our customers the highest quality in products and services while considering environmental protection and occupational safety on the basis of a recognized quality management system.