SOFTWARE PRODUCTS

1) Vital-Sim Logic Simulator (VSLS) is a WINDOWS® 2000/XP based software and graphics package which allows signal engineers to test vital and non-vital application logic programs generated by a wide variety of development systems. At present, VSLS is capable of Microlock I & II /Genisys®, VPI/CSEX®, VHLC and ALC®, Microtrax® and Electrocode/Electrologic® programmable devices. VSLS includs Layout Screen Customizer and Relay Equivalents capabilities

2) Router Software Module Accessory Program - the ROUTE LOCKING LIST program permits the user to print several lists essential to cutover testing. The program furnishes a format list. Customized list formats can be installed by Vital Sim, or can be created by the user. These lists are:

1. All Possible Routes
2. All Switches in Each Route
3. All Switches With Their Normal and Reverse Positions For Each Route
4. All Parallel Routes
5. All “Locked” Switches in Each Route That Could Permit A Conflicting Route
6. Sectional Clearing/Fleeting Options (future development)

Also the ROUTE LOCKING LIST program permits the user to print pictorials of each route, permitting visual review and analysis prior and during cutovers.

3) Lamp Out List Accessory Program (Requires Router Software Module) allows the user to print a list of downgrade sequences for each aspect in all user-selected routes, for use during cutovers. The program furnishes a standard format list. Customized list formats can be installed by Vital Sim, or can be created by the user. Note: it is necessary to provide detailed railroad standard downgrade sequence information in a Microsoft Access 2000 ® data base file prior to delivery of this program.

4) Automatic Test Accessory Program (Requires Router and Lamp Out List Programs to run Automatic Test) utilizes data from the VSLS track plan, Router and Lamp Out List Generator data bases (Note: to use the AUTOMATIC TEST program you must also have the Router and Lamp Out List Generator programs) to perform the automatic testing of vital and non-vital logic software, and electro-mechanical relay circuit designs, whether part of a location with software based logic or a stand-alone relay circuit designs, whether part of a location with software based logic or a stand-alone relay control point. A partial list of test provided includes: Switch Typo, Switch Overload, ASR Lockout, Time-To-Shunt, Line Switches, Request Signal, Stuck GZR, Opposing Signal, Route Locking, Indication Locking, Fleeting, Reverse Block, Lamp Out Downgrades, Maintenance Blocking, Parallel Routes, and Communication Errors. From the list of available tests the user can select those tests he wants to run. Testing can be set to run from the local control panel on the track plan or the control office or both. A complete test can be conducted while you are at home sleeping!

On-line test results are a summary of tests performed with failures identified, and a detailed listing of every tag picked or dropped. From the on-line Summary Window, clicking on any failure listed will take you to the step in the test that failed. From this point, a qualified signal design programmer should be able to readily identify the portion of the program that requires correction. As the tests are being run a results database is being created. From this database a summary report of tests performed by route, and results achieved, can be printed. The user can also print a detailed report of every tag picked, dropped and verified.

CUSTOMIZED ACCESS TO AUTOMATIC TESTING – Allows a very knowledgeable programmer with considerable signal knowledge to write his own customized test routines for the Automatic Test program. Typically C++, C# ® or Visual Basic ® programming languages are used to write the customized routines. Router and Automatic Test programs are prerequisites for the use of Customized Access to Automatic Testing to be successful.

COMPILER & CONVERSION PROGRAMS

1) DOS HLC ®and VHLC® (Does not do ACE)

2) VSLS Compiler for GE ACE®, EC-5, Electrologixs, IWP, VHLC® and HLC
(Requirements:  ACE Compiler Ver. 3.0, or later plus Validator or reports from GE generated by Ace Compiler and Validator - Does not do DOS VHLC) 

3) VSLS Compiler for US&S Microlok I® and Genisys

4) VSLS Compiler for US&S Microtrax®,

5) VSLS Compiler for US&S Microlok II ® and Genisys, 

6) VSLS Compiler for EC-IV and E-P Electrologic®

7) VSLS Compiler for Alstom VPI/CSEX®

8) VSLS Compiler for GE® PTC - BETA VERSION

In addition to the above items, if specific nomenclature requires development, there is a variable Pre-Shipment Programming Charge that will be charged based on the time required for this development. This set-up charge is assessed only if such nomenclature file has not been previously generated.  To this point nomenclature files exist for AMTRAK, BNSF, CP, CSX, FEC, LIRR, Metro-North, NS and UPRR.  Frequently, one of the above closely matches a railroad nomenclature file not on the list, resulting in a minimal charge, if any. If it is necessary to create such a file, the following material will be required to accurately quote on the set-up charge, and program the new file:

1.  Aspect Chart.
2.  Rule Book.
3.  Circuit Nomenclature (tag names) for switch controls and indications, track circuits, code rates, signal types, lamp out detection, etc.
4.  Sample location plans and programs, if available.

PTC

In 2011, Vital-Sim released it first PTC compiller for GE's PTC product. It is currently in use with several customers and is expected to be ready for commercial release in the late Spring or early Summer of 2011. Click on PTC to learn more.


DATA DISPLAY AND ANALYSIS TOOL (DDAT)

DDAT is an analysis tool which aids the user in analyzing data which has been downloaded from data loggers. It is designed to plot or visually display data that has been downloaded from one of several supported data loggers or from VSLS.

Before using the program, the user must first connect the PC to a data logger and then download the data from the data logger. Once the data has been downloaded into a properly formatted computer file, the DDAT program can plot the data graphically so it can be used as a visual aid in analyzing the data.

The currently selected parameters (tags, magnification, window size, cursor position and custom filters) can be saved into one or more SETUP files for quick recall. These are also called ".ini" files (the files end in .ini). Any number of SETUP files can be saved with any file name the user chooses.

Pre-determined filters can be used or created and run your own user-defined filters to quickly find "pumping" or "bobbling" tags. Filters can also be used to investigate the possible causes of incidents.

Note: The DDAT program does not download the data from the data logger(s). This is the user's responsibility. Various data loggers have different methods for performing the download. Please refer to the instructions for the specific data logger you are using, or contact the manufacturer of the data logger for information on how to perform the download.

The files which you download from the data loggers must be saved as plain-text ASCII files.
Word or WordPerfect format files are not acceptable.
Saving with Wordpad may add extra binary characters to the file, which will cause DDAT to lose data.

Data before Jan. 1, 2000 cannot be plotted and must be changed to a date after Jan. 1, 2000.  A maximum of 40 years of data may be displayed at one time and be between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2099.