Base-to-remotely controlled vehicle communications for automated durability road (ADR) facility
First Claim
1. A communication system for communicating data between a base computer and a plurality of vehicles disposed on a test track, each vehicle including a respective on-board vehicle controller (VCON), the system comprising:
- a respective vehicle antenna on each vehicle;
a respective vehicle radio frequency (rf) transceiver interconnecting the associated vehicle antenna with the associated VCON;
a plurality of relay antennae disposed around the test track for receiving rf signals from the vehicle antennae;
a base transceiver in communication with the relay antennae for receiving signals therefrom; and
at least one guide wire disposed on the track, each at least one guide wire having a dedicated signal generator coupled thereto for causing each at least one guide wire to carry a signal having a predetermined electrical characteristic identifying each guide wire to a VCON.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spread spectrum rf communication system relays mission signals from a base computer to each of a plurality of vehicle controllers (VCONs) that are positioned in the passenger compartments of respective vehicles on a test track. The VCONs are coupled to the operating controls of the vehicles for moving the controls in response to mission signals from the base station. Also, the VCONs communicate status reports via the communication system to the base station, so that the base station coordinates the control of the vehicles.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A communication system for communicating data between a base computer and a plurality of vehicles disposed on a test track, each vehicle including a respective on-board vehicle controller (VCON), the system comprising:
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a respective vehicle antenna on each vehicle; a respective vehicle radio frequency (rf) transceiver interconnecting the associated vehicle antenna with the associated VCON; a plurality of relay antennae disposed around the test track for receiving rf signals from the vehicle antennae; a base transceiver in communication with the relay antennae for receiving signals therefrom; and at least one guide wire disposed on the track, each at least one guide wire having a dedicated signal generator coupled thereto for causing each at least one guide wire to carry a signal having a predetermined electrical characteristic identifying each guide wire to a VCON. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A communication system for an automated road facility having a test track and a plurality of vehicles disposed thereon, comprising:
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a base computer; a plurality of vehicle controllers (VCON), each being associated with a respective vehicle; a respective vehicle antenna on each vehicle; a respective vehicle radio frequency (rf) transceiver interconnecting the associated vehicle antenna with the associated VCON; a base transceiver in communication with the vehicle antennae for receiving signals therefrom; and at least one guide wire disposed on the track, each at least one guide wire having a dedicated signal generator coupled thereto for causing each at least one guide wire to carry a signal having a predetermined electrical characteristic identifying each guide wire to a VCON. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication system for communicating data between a base computer and a plurality of vehicles disposed on a test track, comprising:
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a spread spectrum vehicle radio frequency (rf) transceiver on each vehicle; a plurality of relay antennae disposed around the test track for receiving rf signals from the vehicle transceivers; a spread spectrum base transceiver in communication with the relay antennae for communicating signals therebetween; a plurality of position transponders, each disposed at a fixed location on the track; at least one guide wire disposed on the track; and at least one frequency generator electrically connected to the guide wire for generating an ac signal therein, the ac signal characterized by a frequency uniquely identifying the guide wire to the vehicles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification