Project
Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) is an automated system for rail transportation that performs ticket vending, ticket checking, fare calculation, fare collection, statistics, clearing, and management tasks; it uses computers, communication networks, and automatic control technology. The structure of an AFC system consists of five levels: fare media, devices to read/write media, depot/station computers, back office systems, and central clearing house. Embedded computers are used in all the systems except for the tickets, and station terminal equipment has relatively special requirements: compact systems, with abundant COM and USB ports, multiple displays, etc.For those reasons, unique specifications have been developed for Booking Office Machines(BOM), Ticket Vending Machines(TVM), Ticket Checking Machines(TCM), and Gate Control Systems(GCS).

Requirements

•  A high degree of integration—on-board CPU, RAM, and application interfaces
• Fanless design
• Compact
• Multiple display support
• Storage method: Industrial-grade SSD, CF
• Real-time operating system: DOS, Windows® XP, XPE, CE, Vxworks, Linux, QNX
• Highly security
• Vibration- and impact-resistant

System Diagram

Conclusion
We see that computer development for AFC continues to tend toward low power consumption, fanless design, self-diagnosis and remote management, data backup, high reliability and security, and flexible modular design. Advantech products have been applied in AFC systems in China for a long time. The earliest Advantech products in these applications consisted of single board computers plus PC104 I/O cards directly embedded in AFC machines. But as systems evolved, I/O requirements increased along with demands for greater reliability for use in harsh environments. Advantech developed system solutions specifically for AFC applications. Consequently, Advantech's highly-integrated, low-power, fanless, high-reliability products meet the industry's I/O specifications, and provide System Integrators with their best options. Advantech products are currently embedded in AFC systems in the subway stations of such major cities as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

Implemented Product
ITA-1710: 
Intel® Atom™ D525 DC Wide Range Compact System with Dual GigaLAN, 10 COM ports and Dual Display