IEC 61375-2-3-2015 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61375-2-3:2015 — Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 2-3: TCN communication profile. This part defines the communication profile used for data exchange between consists (vehicles/consists) in a train to ensure interoperability of train functions and train-wide services.

Corrigenda issued after publication (notably COR1 2015 and COR2 2016) have been issued for the 2015 edition and are referenced in official copies; some national/EN adoptions also include amendment packages (for example A11:2017 in EN adoptions).

Abstract

IEC 61375-2-3:2015 specifies the TCN communication profile — a set of rules, addressing concepts, protocols and services for exchanging information between consists in a train. The profile defines architecture and train direction concepts, a common functional addressing scheme, protocol elements for function-to-function data exchange, and a set of services to control train-wide communications so that multiple suppliers and consists can interoperate.

General information

• Status: Published / active edition (with corrigenda and EN amendments applied in some adoptions); under review for a future edition (ED2 in development as a 2025 project).
• Publication date: 16 July 2015 (Edition 1.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 45.060.01 (Railway rolling stock — general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2015), with corrigenda COR1 (2015) and COR2 (2016); EN adoptions include amendment A11:2017 in some jurisdictions.
• Number of pages: 275 pages (official IEC publication).

Scope

This part of IEC 61375 specifies rules for the data exchange between consists in trains and defines the TCN communication profile that ensures interoperability between consists with respect to information exchange. It covers the architecture and train-direction concepts, functional addressing, common communication protocol elements for function-to-function data exchange, and the communication services required for train communication control. The standard applies to electronic railway equipment and systems comprising the Train Communication Network.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of TCN communication profile: aggregation of rules required for consist-to-consist interoperability.
• Architecture and train-direction models (different train views and directional roles).
• Functional addressing concept enabling functions to be addressed independently of physical location.
• Protocol elements and message structures for function-to-function data exchange across consists.
• Services for train communication control (e.g., session/control services, addressing and routing mechanisms).
• Inclusion of corrigenda and amendments in official releases to clarify or correct protocol definitions and conformance points.

Typical use and users

Primary users are rolling-stock manufacturers, train control and management system (TCMS) developers, vehicle/consist network integrators, signalling and onboard-systems engineers, test laboratories and national standards bodies. Systems integrators and suppliers use the profile to design interoperable consist interfaces (WTB/MVB/ECN interfaces and related gateways) and to implement conformance to the IEC 61375 family.

Related standards

IEC 61375-2-3 is part of the IEC 61375 family. Closely related parts include IEC 61375-1 (general architecture), IEC 61375-2-1 (Wire Train Bus — WTB), IEC 61375-2-4 (TCN application profile, TS), IEC 61375-2-5 (Ethernet train backbone — ETB/ECN related parts), and other parts addressing consist and vehicle-level networks and conformance testing. National/EN adoptions and corrigenda/amendments (EN 61375-2-3:2015 and related amendment documents) further link the part into the European regulatory/standards context.

Keywords

TCN, Train Communication Network, TCN communication profile, TCMS, consist-to-consist, functional addressing, Wire Train Bus (WTB), Multifunction Vehicle Bus (MVB), Ethernet Consist Network (ECN), Ethernet Train Backbone (ETB), interoperability, railway rolling stock.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61375-2-3:2015 is an international standard that defines the Train Communication Network (TCN) communication profile for data exchange between consists in trains, specifying architecture, addressing, protocol elements and services to enable interoperability.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the communication profile — architecture and train-direction concepts, functional addressing, protocol definitions for function-to-function data exchange across consists, and the set of services required for train communication control. Corrigenda and EN amendment packages address clarifications and minor corrections.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Train builders, TCMS and onboard-systems suppliers, vehicle network integrators, test houses and railway standardisation bodies use the standard to design, implement and verify interoperable consist communication.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2015 edition (with corrigenda) is the published edition and — per IEC metadata — has a stability date into 2028. Some EN adoptions have included amendment packages. Separately, a revision project (ED2 / prEN IEC 61375-2-3:2025) is in development (DIS/CDV stages in 2025), so a new edition is in the standards pipeline; users should check their national IEC/CENELEC catalogue or the IEC webstore for the absolute latest publication or replacement status before procurement or certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC 61375 series covering the Train Communication Network (TCN). The series includes parts for general architecture, WTB, ECN/ETB, application profiles and conformance tests.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: TCN, communication profile, TCMS, consist-to-consist, functional addressing, WTB, MVB, ECN, ETB, interoperability, train communication services.