UNE-EN 50159-2011 A1-2020 PDF

Full title and description

STB UNE-EN 50159-2011 A1-2020 — Railway applications — Communication, signalling and processing systems — Safety‑related communication in transmission systems. This designation indicates the UNE/EN adoption of the base EN 50159 series (original edition adopted around 2011) with Amendment A1 published in 2020; the document specifies requirements and measures for using non‑safety‑designed transmission systems for safety‑related communications in railway and signalling applications.

Abstract

This standard establishes requirements, constraints and application guidance for safety‑related electronic systems that rely on transmission systems not originally designed for safety applications (or whose characteristics are only partially known). It addresses error detection, integrity, and measures against unauthorized access, and provides principles for design, validation and assessment of the communication functions that contribute to system safety. Amendment A1 (2020) updates and clarifies aspects of the original text for national adoptions.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (base EN adopted nationally; Amendment A1 issued 2020).
• Publication date: Original EN adoption (UNE/EN) — 30 March 2011; Amendment A1 — 2020 (national effective/adoption dates reported between 29 May 2020 and 7 Oct 2020).
• Publisher: CENELEC (EN) with national adoption and distribution by bodies such as AENOR / UNE and other national standards bodies.
• ICS / categories: 35.240.60 (IT applications in transport), 45.020 (Railway engineering in general).
• Edition / version: UNE‑EN 50159 (2011 adoption) with Amendment A1:2020 (often referenced as EN 50159:2010/A1:2020 or EN 50159:2010 + A1).
• Number of pages: Base full EN document commonly published in the full technical edition (~74 pages in some national releases); the A1 amendment text and compact national adoption notices are shorter (typically 4–8 pages depending on publisher).

Scope

The standard applies to safety‑related systems that use digital or other transmission systems for communication where the transmission component was not originally designed for safety functions, or where parts of the transmission chain are outside the designer's full control. It covers specification of communication requirements that impact safety, threat/attack considerations (including unauthorized access), message integrity and detection of erroneous transmission, and guidance for design, verification and assessment of communication functions within railway signalling and control systems.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of safety‑related communication functions and allocation of safety requirements to transmission elements.
• Threat analysis and consideration of unauthorized access, with requirements to detect or mitigate malicious or accidental corruption of messages.
• Message integrity, sequencing, timing and error detection mechanisms appropriate for safety‑related information exchange.
• Requirements for validation, verification and assessment of communication functions contributing to safety cases.
• Guidance on the use of non‑safety transmission systems within a safety lifecycle, including constraints, monitoring and maintenance measures.
• References and interaction with related railway safety lifecycle standards (EN 50126 / EN 50128 / EN 50129 and other sector guidance).

Typical use and users

Applied by signalling and railway system designers, safety engineers, system integrators, certification bodies and infrastructure managers when designing or assessing safety‑related communication functions that rely (partly or wholly) on transmission media/systems not specifically designed for safety. Also used by test teams and assessors preparing safety cases and conformity documentation for signalling equipment and communication links.

Related standards

Closely associated with the railway safety lifecycle and signalling standards EN 50126 (RAMS lifecycle), EN 50128 (software for railway control systems) and EN 50129 (safety‑related electronic systems for signalling). The standard also references sector guidance such as IEEE COM‑30 and UIC/ORE A155.1 in informative bibliography and cross‑references.

Keywords

railway, signalling, safety‑related communication, transmission systems, message integrity, error detection, unauthorized access, safety case, validation, EN 50159, A1:2020.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the European railway standard (EN 50159) adopted nationally (UNE/EN) that sets requirements and guidance for using transmission systems for safety‑related communication where the transmission element is not necessarily designed for safety. The designation includes Amendment A1 published in 2020.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Requirements for ensuring that communication used in safety functions meets integrity, timing and threat‑mitigation needs; guidance for allocating safety requirements to transmission elements; and instructions for verification, validation and assessment within the railway safety lifecycle.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Signalling designers, systems and safety engineers, integrators, certification and assessment bodies, infrastructure managers and procurement teams working on safety‑related railway communication and signalling projects.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The EN 50159 text with Amendment A1:2020 is published and in national adoption (current as of the 2020 amendment). Some national bodies have reported revision or review projects (draft/replacement work reported in subsequent years), so users should check their national standards body for the latest status and any draft revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 50159 sits within the broader EN 5012x family of railway standards addressing reliability, software and safety (EN 50126, EN 50128, EN 50129) and should be used in conjunction with those lifecycle and software/safety standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: railway, signalling, safety‑related communication, transmission systems, integrity, error detection, unauthorized access, safety case, EN 50159, A1:2020.