Communication circuit for a vehicle

• US 20060031590A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Envitech Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Envitech Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Catterall, Chris, Monette, Jean-Yves
• Application Number:
  US11/234,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20060031590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/249
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0036 Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

A communication circuit for use within a vehicle includes a first network port and a second network port that is remotely located from the first network port. The networks are digitally connected together and digitally communicate a high speed multimedia signal therebetween, via a digital link adaptive to impairments thereof. The communication circuit is used between two or more coupled train vehicles.

Claims

1. A communication circuit for use within a vehicle, the circuit comprising:

a first network port; and

a second network port located remote from the first network port and digitally connected thereto for digital signal communication therebetween, the first and second network ports are connected by a digital link being adaptive to impairments thereof.

2. The circuit, according to claim 1, in which the digital link dynamically adapts to the impairments thereof.

3. The circuit, according to claim 2, in which the digital link has a signal transmission baud rate greater than about 40 Mbps.

4. The circuit, according to claim 3, in which the digital link is an ITU G9954 multimedia high speed connection.

5. A communication circuit for use on board a train having at least two vehicles coupled together, the circuit comprising:

a first Local Area Network having a first interface and located in one vehicle;

a second Local Area Network having a second interface and located in the other vehicle; and

the first interface and the second interface being connected by a digital link adaptive to impairments thereof for high speed digital signal communication between the first and the second Local Area Networks.

6. The circuit, according to claim 5, in which the digital link dynamically adapts to the impairments thereof.

7. The circuit, according to claim 6, in which the digital link has a signal transmission baud rate greater than about 40 Mbps.

8. The circuit, according to claim 7, in which each of the Local Area Networks includes first, second and third Local Area Network subsystems.

9. The circuit, according to claim 8, in which each Local Area Network subsystems includes a multi-port network hub.

10. The circuit, according to claim 9, in which at least one peripheral network communication device is connected to the multi-port network hub.

11. The circuit, according to claim 10, in which at least one peripheral network communication device is a control head.

12. The circuit, according to claim 11, in which at least one peripheral communication device is connected to the control head.

13. The circuit, according to claim 12, in which the multi-port network hub is an ETHERNET™

hub.

14. The circuit, according to claim 13, in which the first interface is a control unit having a digital link receiver port and a wire connector connected to the multi-port network hub.

15. The circuit, according to claim 14, in which the control unit includes a plurality of peripheral device connector ports.

16. The circuit, according to claim 15, in which the digital link is integral with a coupler coupling the two train vehicles.

17. The circuit, according to claim 16, in which the digital link is an ITU G9954 multimedia high speed connection.

18. The circuit, according to claim 17, in which at least one of the cars is sectioned and articulated.

19. The circuit, according to claim 18, in which the peripheral communication device include sign units, emergency intercoms, public address amplifiers, radio systems, consoles or laptop computers.