Numerical simulation of pantograph / catenary interaction
The following innovative applications of modelling and numerical simulation are foreseen in view of the homologation of the pantograph / catenary system:

• It is envisaged, through further validation of their prediction capacity within this project, to use simulation tools to perform ‘virtually’ part of the tests needed for the certification of pantographs and catenaries.;
• The use of simulation tools in combination with the European Catenary Data-base will be used in view of pantograph certification for cross border operation, thereby achieving virtual certification for interoperability;
• It is also foreseen to use simulation tools to achieve the certification of new/modified pantographs and catenaries that can be considered sufficiently close to ones for which physical certification was already performed.

Example of simulation of 25kV Catenary

Hardware-in-the-Loop testing of pantograph systems
The “Hardware-in-the-Loop” technology, coming from other fields of engineering, is presently at the very leading edge of the State-of-Art and has a clear potential to improve methods for product development and testing and to simplify homologation procedures.

The main innovation can be directly identified in the introduction of HIL testing into the homologation process, which is totally new at present not only for pantograph / catenary system, but in general for the railway rolling stock

DSA200.38 Pantograph 

Innovative pantograph design and mechatronic application

The following specific elements of innovation are anticipated:

• Systematic design optimization to reduce weight and improve the overall contact force under normal and extreme conditions;
• To identify industrially feasible solutions to improve pantograph interoperability through the exploitation of control technologies;
• To develop appropriate strategies for active control of pantographs with the aim to reduce mean value contact forces and dynamic variations;
• To assess the proposed solutions using the enhanced modelling and simulation tools developed in the project and through HIL testing;
• To perform a complete revision of the homologation process for innovative / mechatronic pantographs, proposing wherever needed revisions of the limit values and specific procedures