SYNCHRONIZATION TO ADJACENT WIRELESS NETWORKS USING SINGLE RADIO
First Claim
1. A train communication system for providing communications to one or more trains operating on a track, the system comprising:
- a plurality of hubs, each hub comprising a block processor and a hub radio interconnected via a first network, the plurality of hubs interconnected to one another via a second network; and
one or more trains disposed on the track for movement thereon, each train comprising a train radio connected to a train control system;
wherein each block processor is configured to transmit information to one or more train control systems via the hub radio, the hub radio configured to coordinate reception and transmission of messages between the respective block processor and one or more train radios within radio range of the hub radio within the respective hub;
wherein synchronization information is exchanged between an upcoming hub and a current hub via the second network upon determination that a train is approaching a boundary between the current hub and the upcoming hub.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A train communication system is provided for enabling communications between wayside hubs and trains operating on a track. Each wayside hub includes a block processor and at least one hub radio, with the block processor and hub radio connected via a first network. The wayside hubs are interconnected through a second network. Each train includes a train radio connected to a train control system. The block processor transmits information to the train control systems via the hub radio. If a hub includes more than one hub radio, one is selected to act as a master hub to coordinate reception and transmission of messages between the block processor and the train radios within radio range of the hub radios. Synchronization information is exchanged between an upcoming hub and a current hub for a train upon determination that the train is approaching a boundary between the hubs.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A train communication system for providing communications to one or more trains operating on a track, the system comprising:
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a plurality of hubs, each hub comprising a block processor and a hub radio interconnected via a first network, the plurality of hubs interconnected to one another via a second network; and one or more trains disposed on the track for movement thereon, each train comprising a train radio connected to a train control system; wherein each block processor is configured to transmit information to one or more train control systems via the hub radio, the hub radio configured to coordinate reception and transmission of messages between the respective block processor and one or more train radios within radio range of the hub radio within the respective hub; wherein synchronization information is exchanged between an upcoming hub and a current hub via the second network upon determination that a train is approaching a boundary between the current hub and the upcoming hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for providing synchronization information for a train approaching a boundary between two hubs, each hub comprising a block processor and a hub radio interconnected via a first network, the hubs interconnected to one another via a second network, the train being disposed on a track for movement thereon and comprising a train radio connected to a train control system, each block processor within radio range of the train radio being configured to transmit information to the train control system, the method comprising:
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determining by the train control system if the train is approaching a boundary between an upcoming hub and a current hub; if the train is approaching the boundary, generating by the train control system a request message for synchronization information; transmitting the request message by a hub radio of the current hub to a block processor of the upcoming hub; obtaining the synchronization information from a hub radio of the upcoming hub; transmitting the synchronization information by the block processor of the upcoming hub and the hub radio of the current hub to the train control system; and synchronizing the train by the train control system with the hub radio in the upcoming cluster hub. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for obtaining synchronization information for a train approaching a boundary between two hubs, each hub comprising a block processor and a hub radio interconnected via a first network, the hubs interconnected to one another via a second network, the train being disposed on a track for movement thereon and comprising a train radio connected to a train control system, each block processor within radio range of the train radio being configured to transmit information to the train control system, the method comprising:
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receiving at the train control system a synchronization message pertaining to an upcoming hub from a hub radio in a current hub; synchronizing to the upcoming hub by the train control system based upon the synchronization message; and establishing communications by the train control system with a hub radio in the upcoming hub. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for communicating synchronization information for a train approaching a boundary between two hubs, each hub comprising a block processor and a hub radio interconnected via a first network, the hubs interconnected to one another via a second network, the train being disposed on a track for movement thereon and comprising a train radio connected to a train control system, each block processor within radio range of the train radio being configured to transmit information to the train control system, the method comprising:
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receiving at a current hub synchronization information pertaining to an upcoming hub from the upcoming hub; transmitting a synchronization message comprising the synchronization information from a hub radio in the current hub to the train, the train disposed on a section of the track associated with the current hub; and establishing communications between a hub radio in the upcoming hub and the train. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification