History of the PIPC

The PIPC was developed to meet the market for renewals of SNCF signaling posts - to replace aging interlocking relay logic chassis, parts of which were sometimes more than 40 years old It was developed by a handful of enthusiasts between 1993 and 1999, in close collaboration with specialists from the SNCF, and was for a long time the only electronic interlocking made in France . 

In 1995, a first validated prototype (known as SYMEL) of six stations was installed on a track with little traffic between Meymac and the Palace in the Limonsin. After finding success with operators, improvements concerning the industrialization of the solution and of the parameter principles led to the first generation PIPC in June 1999, commissioned on a line between Moirans and St Marcelin. 

Following the transfer of activity between industrial groups, the PIPC was then deployed by Alcatel until late 2007. It has since been deployed by Thales. 

A graphic interface allows an operator to follow the interlocking behavior over several stations and to place orders to establish lontes (via a simple keyboard). It has a support system for local maintenance (single PC) and can be interfaced with a system of regional snpervision (MISTRAL) and remote snrveillance. 

By design, the PIPC allows the transparency of maintenance interventions vis-a-vis the operation of the post, which is not tme of competing prodncts. 

---