Device for transmitting data between two railway vehicles using optical radio relay

• US 9,048,948 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2011
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ERA-Contact GmbH
• Original Assignee: ERA-Contact GmbH
• Inventors: Paral, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): CURS, NATHAN M
• Application Number:
  US13/810,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20130114964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 398118-131
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0036 Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for transmitting data between two rail vehicles (12, 14). At each rail vehicle (12, 14) one data transmission unit (16 to 22, 80, 90, 92) is arranged, wherein between the data transmission units (16 to 22, 80, 90, 92) a data transmission link for transmitting data is formed. Data transmission via this data transmission link is carried out by means of an optical radio relay system.

Claims

1. A device for transmitting data, comprising:

a first rail vehicle having an end;

a second rail vehicle having an end facing the end of the first rail vehicle;

a first data transmission unit arranged at the end first rail vehicle, and

a second data transmission unit arranged at the end of the second rail vehicle,

wherein between the first data transmission unit and the second data transmission unit a data transmission link for transmitting data between the first rail vehicle and the second rail vehicle is formed,

wherein the data transmission via the data transmission link is carried out by means of an optical radio relay system

wherein the distance between the first data transmission unit and the second data transmission unit has a value in the range between 1500 mm and 6000 mm; and

wherein at least the first data transmission illuminates an area in the range between 4500 mm×

1300 mm to 5000×

1700 mm on the second transmission unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit each comprise a transmitter and at least two receivers.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit each comprise a receiver and at least two transmitters.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit each comprise at least two transmitters and at least two receivers.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit each comprise at least one transceiver.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit include at least four transmitters that are rectangularly arranged, and in that one receiver is arranged in the center of the rectangle.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit each comprise at least one diode, in particular a laser diode.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the diode emits light with a wavelength in a range between 800 nm and 900 nm.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the diode has a power in the range between 1 μ

W and 25 μ

W.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit each comprise at least one diverging lens for scattering the emitted light, at least one glass bar for scattering the emitted light, at least one collecting lens for collecting the incident light and/or at least one glass bar for collecting the incident light.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit and/or the second data transmission unit comprises a sensor unit for determining a relative movement between the first data transmission unit and the second data transmission unit and a control unit that determines the direction in which the first data transmission unit or the second data transmission unit emits the light of the optical radio relay system in dependence of the determined relative movement.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first data transmission unit emits light with a light intensity in the range between a receiving sensitivity value and an override value of the second data transmission unit.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first rail vehicle and the second rail vehicle are connectable to each other via a mechanical coupling, in that a sensor for detecting a connected condition is provided, and in that a control unit only generates a data transmission link if the sensor has detected the connected condition.