Train integrity and end of train location via RF ranging
First Claim
1. An end of train device, comprising:
- a radio frequency transceiver that utilizes coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of radio frequency transmissions;
at least one mechanism that monitors last car information and that is in communication with the radio frequency transceiver;
a PLL counter and event timer in communication with the radio frequency transceiver, the PLL counter and event timer includes a radio frequency counter configured to count the number of cycles received in a radio frequency signal, a clock and a time stamp device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods that can be used in a Positive Train Control system to continuously monitor train integrity and end of train location using radio frequency (RF) ranging techniques to determine the line of sight distance between the head end and the end of the train. The systems and methods allow PTC controlled trains to maintain positive length of train awareness and to determine if a portion of the train separates unintentionally. The systems and methods can be implemented on existing RF infrastructure used on trains, without impacting existing messaging traffic, adding bandwidth or power requirements. The systems and methods work on stretched trains running on tangent or straight track, as well as on foreshortened trains running on curved track.
49 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An end of train device, comprising:
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a radio frequency transceiver that utilizes coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of radio frequency transmissions; at least one mechanism that monitors last car information and that is in communication with the radio frequency transceiver; a PLL counter and event timer in communication with the radio frequency transceiver, the PLL counter and event timer includes a radio frequency counter configured to count the number of cycles received in a radio frequency signal, a clock and a time stamp device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system, comprising:
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an end of train device mounted at an end car of a train, the end of train device includes; a radio frequency transceiver that utilizes coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of radio frequency transmissions; at least one mechanism that monitors last car information and that is in communication with the radio frequency transceiver; a PLL counter and event timer in communication with the radio frequency transceiver, the PLL counter and event timer includes a radio frequency counter configured to count the number of cycles received in a radio frequency signal, a clock and a time stamp device; and a head of train control unit mounted at a head end of the train, the head of train control unit includes a head end radio frequency transceiver that utilizes coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of radio frequency transmissions. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A process of determining line of sight distance between a head end of a train and an end of the train, comprising:
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sending a radio frequency transmission between the head end and an end of train device at the end of the train utilizing coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of the radio frequency transmission; determining the one way propagation time of the radio frequency transmission between the head end and the end of train device; multiplying the determined one way propagation time by the propagation speed of the radio frequency transmission to determine the line of sight distance; the end of train device counting the number of cycles received in the radio frequency transmission; and the end of train device sending a radio frequency transmission back to the head end utilizing coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of the radio frequency transmission, the radio frequency transmission sent by the end of train device includes a time stamp of when the last cycle of the radio frequency transmission from the head end was received and a count of the number of cycles received. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A process of determining line of sight distance between a head end of a train and an end of the train, comprising:
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sending a radio frequency transmission between the head end and an end of train device at the end of the train utilizing AAR Standard S-5701 communication protocol; determining the one way propagation time of the radio frequency transmission between the head end and the end of train device; multiplying the determined one way propagation time by the propagation speed of the radio frequency transmission to determine the line of sight distance; the end of train device counting the number of cycles received in the radio frequency transmission; and the end of train device sending a radio frequency transmission back to the head end utilizing coherent phase frequency shift keyed modulation of the radio frequency transmission, the radio frequency transmission sent by the end of train device includes a time stamp of when the last cycle of the radio frequency transmission from the head end was received and a count of the number of cycles received.
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Specification