The document discusses data loggers used in Indian Railways. It provides an overview of RDSO which tests railway equipment. It then discusses the signal testing laboratory and its facilities. A key point is that data loggers monitor relay activities to generate reports on the signaling system. The document describes how data is collected via sensors and sent to the data logger. It outlines the types of data loggers and their applications in Indian Railways. Areas for improvement are also noted such as measuring train load and track failures to prevent accidents.

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction to signal test laboratory of R.D.S.O
 Introduction of data logger
 How data is collected
 Data logger types
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Applications
 Improvement needed in data logger in Indian railway

3. AN OVERVIEW
RDSO, an ISO:9001 certified organisation, is the sole R&D organisation of Indian Railways and performs the following important
functions:-
Adoption, absorption and development of new technologies for use on Indian Railways.
Development of new and improved designs.
Development of standards of materials and products specially needed by Indian Railways.
Technical investigation, statutory clearances, testing and providing consultancy services.
Inspection of rolling stock, locomotive, signalling and telecommunication equipments, track components etc. for ensuring quality.
Quality audit of Railway workshops & production units.
RDSO has a number of laboratories, which are well equipped with research and testing facilities for development, testing, and
design evaluation of various railway related equipments and materials.

4. SIGNAL TESTING
LABORATORY

5. SIGNAL TESTING LABORATORY
Signal Testing Laboratory undertake testing of all types of signalling equipments
involving safety such as Signalling Relays, Block Instruments, Power Supply
Equipments, Point Machines, Signalling Cables, Electromechanical Signalling
Equipments/Components, Modern Signaling equipments, etc.
There is an exclusive section for environmental testing equipped with range of
climatic test facilities as per IS: 9000. These include programmable environmental
(heat & humidity), dry heat, cold, mould growth, salt mist spray, dust, rain chambers
etc.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION

7. The laboratory is equipped with full testing facilities for Power Supply Equipment (Battery Charger, DC-DC
Converter, Transformer etc.), Signal lamps & Lenses, Relays (Metal to Carbon & Metal to Metal contact type).
The laboratory is also equipped for testing of electronic and microprocessor based equipments like Electronic
Interlocking, Data Loggers, Axle Counters,Block Interface for optic fibre cable, LED Signals, Audio Frequency
Track Circuits, Electronic Timers, Electronic Flashers,etc.
Modern Signaling Hall Axle Counter Testing Setup

8. SIGNALLING DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT
CENTRE
 A Signalling Equipment Development Centre has been set up in the Signalling Testing Laboratory.
Here working systems including EI, Digital Axle Counter, Data Logger, AFTCs, Block Instruments,
LED signal lamps etc. are available. In addition, equipments developed by RDSO, such as
signaling relay, polycarbonate lenses, triple pole double filament lamps, power supply equipment
etc. have also been displayed. This centre is being used for various testing at developmental
stages and for further improvements in the designs of various signalling systems. Training for
newly inducted inspectors is also imparted in this center.
Electronic Interlocking Signalling Equipment Development Centre

9. FACILITIES
• ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
• TEST AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
• LED SIGNAL MEASUREMENT
• RELAY PERFORMANCE AND ENDURANCE TESTING
• COMPUTERISED RELAY TESTING
• POWER SUPPLY EQUIPMENT TESTING
• CABLE TESTING

10. DATA LOGGER
INTRODUCTION
The process of using a computer to collect data through sensor, analyze the data and save the data is called data
logging and the instrument used in this called data loggers.Data logger is microprocessor-based system, which logs the
information about the relays, which are connected to the data logger. Data logger monitors and records all activities and
event in the signaling system of a railway station.
Data logger acts like a “black box”, which generating various user-friendlyreports. It is also known as “event logger.”With
the help of data logger and the feedback given by the staff, actualposition of system can be verified. Adjusted
parameters can be viewed.
It is a microprocessor based equipment and logs the events occurring in the signaling function of a yard through the
energized contact of the relays.
The logged information is conveyed in the computer. The packets are sent in till the next data logger gives the
acknowledgement of receipt of packet. The data can be sent either in single direction, Bi-direction or in all direction. A
data logger has a capacity to store 1.7 lakhs events. When a large amount of data is received, the old data will be erased
on first–in–first-out basis.
Data logger can work as a single data logger for a particular RRI/PI.

11. HOW DATA IS COLLECTED:
 Sensors are used to take readings or measurements at regular intervals of their environment.
 The sensors could be collecting data on a wide range of things such as temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed,
water currents, electrical voltage, pH readings etc.
 The sensors may be either analogue or digital. If they take analogue readings, an Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC)
will be needed to convert the signal into digital data which the computer can understand.
 As the sensor takes a reading, the data is sent though a cable or wireless link to the data logger.
 The data logger usually stores the data for a period of time before sending it in a large batch to a computer which will
process and analyse it.
 A data logger is often a hand-held battery-operated device which has a large amount of memory.

12. DATA LOGGER IN INDIAN RAILWAYS
On Indian Railways, for the safe movement of trains, signals have been provided on all stations. Traffic department
controls the operations of these signals. The failure in operating a signal is made available to traffic department. This
information is then conveyed to Signal Department.
Mainly for signal failure, following are reasons:
• Failure relating to operation
• Failure relating to Engineering Department
• Failure relating to Electrical department
• Abnormal incidence

13. Main features of data logger
 Scanning of digital inputs after every 20 milliseconds. Each input is optically isolated.
 Each scanner card can support 256 inputs.
 Every input requires a current of 10 mA.
 FIFO logic implemented for data being stored in the memory.
 On switching on power, the processor conducts diagnosis of the entire processor viz.-I/O chips and
other peripherals.
 After successful diagnosis, time is displayed on the seven segment in the following format- hh:mm:ss
hours, minutes and seconds)
 After scanning, the data is processed and various reports can generated
 By data logger or data can be updated to the computer.
 Now with the help of key board various functions as listed below can be carried out, by viewing the
necessary parameters/ details in the LCD panel
 Setting of time
 Page display
 Printer /Buzzer
 Change of password

14. DATA LOGGER TYPES
Miniature Single Input Data Loggers
Miniature single input data loggers are generally low cost loggers dedicated to
a specific input type. These types of data loggers are often used in the
transportation industry. A typical application would be to include a
temperature data logger in a shipment of food products to insure that the food
temperature does not exceed acceptable limits. In addition to temperature
miniature data loggers are available for a large variety of input types. most
input types.

15. Fixed Mount Multi-Channel Data Loggers
Fixed input loggers have a fixed number of input channels which are generally dedicated for a specific type
input. OMEGA offers fixed input data loggers ranging from one to 8 channels

16. DATA LOGGER NETWORK

17. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES:
Using computers to record data has a number of advantages over recording data manually :
 Measurements are always taken at the right time. Unlike a human the computer will not forget to take a
reading or take a reading too late or too early.
 Mistakes are not made in reading the results. Humans can make errors. For example it is quite easy to misread
the temperature using the scale on a thermometer.
 Data logging devices can be sent to places that humans can not easily get to. e.g. to the planet Mars, into the
bottom of a volcano, or onto a roof of a tall building to get to a weather station.
 Graphs and tables of results can be produced automatically by the data logging software.
DISADVANTAGE:
The main disadvantage of using a data logging system is the initial cost of purchasing the equipment.

18. SOME OTHER APPLICATIONS OF DATA LOGGER
 Electric utilities
 Inventory Monitoring
 Water resources
 Product Development
 Energy
 Environmental
 Vehicle Test
 Meteorological
 Mining
 Water/Wastewater Utilities
 Irrigation/Agriculture

19. IMPROVEMENT NEEDED IN DATA LOGGER
IN INDIAN RAILWAYS
 1. Input should be given to data logger so that load of train can be measured at the time of running on the
track
 2. Input should be given in data logger so that failure of track can be informed to department of railways and
accident of train should be avoided.
 3. In comparison to real time data acquisition systems, data loggers generally have low sample rates. This is
normally because they store data in internal memory which is limited. The higher the data rates the more
memory required. Therefore when specifying a data logger it is important to determine the sample rate and
the sample duration which can be used to calculate the required memory.