EN 50159 (IEC 62280) – Online RAMS training course
Course contents
This EN 50159 (IEC 62280) training course covers the following aspects:
- Scope and main principles of the EN 50159 (IEC 62280)
- Structure and relationship with other safety standards (EN 50129).
- Classification of transmission systems
- Communication threats
- Safety Defences for each threat (CRCs, sequence numbers, timeouts, message authentication, cryptography, etc.)
- Relation with SIL levels defined in EN 50129 and exercises.
- Real-world examples
- Final quiz
What is EN 50159?
EN 50159 is a European standard that specifies the safety-related requirements for communication in railway applications, particularly focusing on communication systems used for safety-critical functions. Unlike standards that deal with hardware or software development, EN 50159 addresses the integrity and security of data transmitted between systems, especially when using open, semi-open, or non-dedicated networks.
The standard classifies communication channels based on their exposure to potential threats, such as electromagnetic interference, unauthorized access, or data corruption, and defines protective measures appropriate to each type. It emphasizes the need for data integrity, authenticity, availability, and, when necessary, confidentiality to ensure that safety functions are not compromised during transmission.
EN 50159 outlines the necessary safety measures and system architecture principles required to detect and mitigate communication faults, including redundancy, error detection and correction mechanisms, and secure protocols. It works in harmony with other standards like EN 50126, EN 50128, and EN 50129, forming part of the broader suite of CENELEC standards aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of railway systems.
By complying with EN 50159, organizations can demonstrate that their communication systems are robust, secure, and suitable for safety-critical operations, even when deployed over public or shared networks, thereby ensuring both regulatory compliance and operational safety.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course. Engineering studies and/or railway experience is an advantage.
Reading the EN 50159 before taking the course is recommended.
Taking the EN 50126, EN 50128 and EN 50129 courses is recommended.
Target Audience
This course has been designed for anyone involved in railway projects with safety-related transmission systems. For example, this course may be useful for Railways project managers, system engineers, software engineers, safety managers, testers, integrators, verifiers, validators, involved in complex systems such as CBTC or ETCS.
Course Duration
This EN 50159 course has an approximate duration of 35 min.