Display Controller with Embedded Linux

Modern public transportation systems – such as buses, trams, and trains – require multiple entry points to accommodate large volumes of passengers. At each of these access points, ticket validators must be installed to allow passengers to validate or purchase tickets upon boarding. These devices must be cost-effective while also supporting advanced connectivity features, including 4G LTE for cloud integration and GPS for real-time location tracking.

In addition to ticketing systems, public transportation vehicles are typically equipped with other electronic components, including receipt printers, HDMI displays, audio speakers, and internal CAN bus networks for vehicle diagnostics and control. Integrating all these components into a cohesive and manageable system poses a significant engineering challenge.

To address this complexity, a centralized display controller was developed to serve as the integration hub for the entire onboard system. This controller connects low-cost ticket validators – such as models DV12T and DV15S – to cloud platforms, enabling centralized data management and remote monitoring.

Beyond ticketing, the display controller provides a range of additional functions. It offers drivers a user interface to enable or disable various subsystems, manage receipt printing, display advertisements or real-time schedules on LCD screens, and control audio announcements for upcoming stops.

The system is powered by an embedded Linux platform, chosen for its robustness, scalability, and support for a modern user experience. It also enables over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring that software improvements and security patches can be deployed seamlessly.

The entire solution is enclosed in an industrial-grade housing designed to withstand mobile environments, including exposure to vibrations and electromagnetic interference. This ensures reliable operation in demanding transit applications.

The display controller has been successfully deployed across multiple European countries, becoming a core component of thousands of public transportation systems. As a result, it has had a direct impact on the daily journeys of hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of passengers throughout its operational lifespan.

Field data and long-term usage have demonstrated the system’s high reliability, with minimal maintenance requirements and excellent uptime across diverse environmental conditions. Its centralized architecture has simplified fleet-wide updates and diagnostics, significantly reducing the operational overhead for transit operators.

Moreover, by enabling dynamic scheduling, real-time passenger information, and automated stop announcements, the controller has improved the overall passenger experience – making public transport more predictable, accessible, and user-friendly.

Ridango is a global mobility technology group, with a focus on automated fare collection (AFC), payments (cEMV) and real-time information systems. Ridango has successfully executed projects around the world, the product portfolio includes a leading transit management system (incl. CAD / AVL) and a world-class ETA prediction engine.

The company was established in 2009 in Tallinn, the location of our HQ to this day. Ridango best-in-class solutions are being used by more than 120 public transport authorities and the group operates systems in more than 26 countries around the globe.

Contact Ridango for product inquiries and further details.