Bulk haulers face ever-evolving operating requirements across the lifespan of their vehicles. Historically, adding a new function to a tank trailer often meant installing another standalone device that requires separate wiring and a new interface for the driver.

In an effort to eliminate this fragmented approach, Austria-based Secu-Tech today introduced XPulse, a new modular system platform designed for the entire tanker. Making its world premiere this week at the ETX trade fair in Kassel, Germany, the XPulse architecture brings metering, safety functions, operations, and communication into a single, unified workflow.

A modular architecture

Instead of juggling up to six disconnected systems—such as dispatch, metering computers, safety equipment, and telematics—drivers are guided through a centralized process, Secu-Tech explained in a news release. The XPulse platform consists of a Core Unit that handles computing and operation, and an XPansion Unit that accepts up to 10 plug-in modules.

If a fleet’s needs grow, further expansion units can be added to the system. A single cable connects the Core Unit to the first XPansion Unit, and another cable connects to the next, simplifying vehicle wiring. Power supplies and field-device connections remain integrated into each vehicle’s installation.

The plug-in module concept covers a range of tanker capabilities, including:

• Power and dispense control
• Metering
• Digital inputs and outputs
• Communication interfaces (including planned integration routes for CAN/CAN-FD, Modbus, RS485, RS232, and an open API)

Each module features its own status and diagnostic displays.

Staged expansion for fleets