Railway component and method for determining location-related information concerning a railway vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a railway component (1) that comprises a radio device (10) for transmitting at least one transmission signal (SS1) to another railway component (2) and for receiving a transmission signal from the other railway component (2) to form a reception signal (E), and a computing device (20) which is designed to evaluate the reception signal (E) in order to obtain location-related information (OI) relating to a railway vehicle (110). According to the invention, the computing device (20) is designed to control said radio device (10) in order to carry out at least two measurement methods (MV1, MV2) that differ from one another and to determine a first intermediate piece of information (ZI1) with a first of the at least two measurement methods (MV1) and a second intermediate piece of information (ZI2) with a second of the at least two measurement methods (MV2) and to form the location-related information (OI) using the first and second intermediate pieces of information (ZI1, ZI2).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Railway component and method for determining location-related information concerning a rail vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to railway components for determining location-related information, methods for determining location-related information, rail vehicles and track equipment with such railway components, and a corresponding railway system.

[0004] Railway components in the form of rail-mounted locating devices are known. These devices include a radio device for transmitting a transmitted signal to a trackside beacon and for receiving a transmitted signal from the beacon, forming a received signal. A computing device in the locating device evaluates the received signal and generates location-related information concerning the rail vehicle.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of specifying a railway component for obtaining location-related information concerning a rail vehicle, which can generate particularly precise location information with little hardware expenditure.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a railway component having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the railway component according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a railway component is provided with a radio device for transmitting at least one transmitted signal to another railway component and for receiving a transmitted signal from the other railway component to form a received signal. A computing device is designed to evaluate the received signal to obtain location-related information relating to a rail vehicle. According to the invention, the computing device is designed to control said one radio device to carry out at least two measuring methods which differ from one another, to determine a first item of intermediate information using a first of the at least two measuring methods and a second item of intermediate information using a second of the at least two measuring methods, and to form the location-related information using the first and second items of intermediate information.

[0008] An advantage of the railway component according to the invention lies in the dual use of one and the same radio device for carrying out at least two different measurement methods, whereby at least two pieces of location-related intermediate information can be obtained. With the at least two pieces of intermediate information, the desired final location-related information can be determined more precisely than would be possible with a single measurement method. This added value can advantageously be achieved without additional radio hardware expenditure because both measurement methods are carried out with the same radio device.

[0009] The location-related intermediate information can be absolute location information in the form of coordinates or the like; alternatively, the location-related intermediate information can be relative location information, such as distance values ​​that indicate the distance between the two railway components. The same applies to the (final) location-related information, which can be an absolute location information or a relative location information.

[0010] With a view to an overall particularly low hardware expenditure, it is considered advantageous if the computing device comprises at least a first software program which, when executed by the computing device, effects the implementation of the first of the at least two measuring methods while determining the first intermediate information, and a second software program which, when executed by the computing device, effects the implementation of the second of the at least two measuring methods while determining the second intermediate information.

[0011] The computing device preferably executes the first and second software programs using the same processor. In the latter variant, two or more measurement methods can be performed with the same hardware effort as for a single measurement method.

[0012] Preferably, the computing device comprises at least a third software program that determines the location-related information by taking the intermediate information into account. The computing device also executes the third software program, preferably with the aforementioned processor.

[0013] The processor preferably executes the first and second software programs sequentially or in a time-interleaved manner.

[0014] The first software program is preferably designed to carry out a two-way location method, preferably on the basis of a frequency spread method, with the radio device as the first measuring method.

[0015] Within the scope of the two-way location method, a transmission signal is preferably emitted by the radio device and the time period is preferably recorded until - in response to the transmitted transmission signal - a response signal is received from the other railway component; the time period is a measure of the distance between the two railway components and thus enables the simple calculation of a distance indication which indicates the distance between the two cooperating railway components as relative location-related information.

[0016] In the latter variant, it is considered advantageous if the first software program is designed to carry out the two-way location method on the basis of a first set of parameters, and the second software program is designed to carry out a two-way location method with the radio device as the second measuring method on the basis of a second set of parameters which differs from the first set of parameters.

[0017] The two parameter sets preferably define two different frequency spreads, which makes it particularly easy to distinguish between the transmit and reply signals.

[0018] Alternatively, the second software program can be designed to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method with the radio device as the second measuring method and to determine the second intermediate information on the basis of the frequency offset between the own transmission signal and the reception signal.

[0019] Within the scope of the frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method, a transmission signal with linear frequency ramps is preferably transmitted by the radio device; the other railway component sends back a signal with the same frequency curve as the received signal as a response signal, preferably in synchronized form. The computing device then preferably determines the frequency difference between its own transmission signal and the response signal received from the other railway component, i.e. the frequency offset between the frequency ramps; the frequency difference is proportional to the distance between the two railway components and thus enables a distance indication to be calculated in a simple manner, which indicates the distance between the two cooperating railway components as relative location-related information.

[0020] Alternatively, an embodiment variant is considered advantageous in which the first software program is designed to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method on the basis of a first parameter set as the first measuring method, and the second software program is designed to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method with the radio device as the second measuring method on the basis of a second parameter set which differs from the first parameter set.

[0021] In the latter variant, the two parameter sets preferably differ in the frequency bands in which the measurements are performed. For example, one of the measurements can be performed in the 2.4 GHz band and the other in the 5.8 GHz band.

[0022] The computing device preferably executes the first and second software program repeatedly on a regular or irregular basis and determines as location-related information at least also distance information which indicates the distance to the other railway component.

[0023] The invention also relates to a rail vehicle. With regard to the rail vehicle, the invention provides that the rail vehicle comprises at least one railway component as described above, and that this railway component inherent in the rail vehicle forms location-related information relating to the rail vehicle itself.

[0024] With regard to the advantages of the rail vehicle according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the railway component according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

[0025] The invention also relates to a track facility. With regard to the track facility, the invention provides that the track facility comprises at least one railway component as described above, and this railway component specific to the track facility forms location-related information relating to a rail vehicle passing the railway component specific to the track facility. With regard to the advantages of the track facility according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the railway component according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

[0026] The invention also relates to a railway system. With regard to the railway system, it is provided that it comprises at least one rail vehicle as described above and at least one trackside device as described above. The railway component of the rail vehicle preferably locates itself using the location-related information it has determined itself as soon as it is in the area of ​​the trackside device and receives its transmission or response signal. The railway component of the trackside device preferably locates the rail vehicle using the location-related information it has determined itself as soon as it receives the transmission or response signal from the rail vehicle.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method for determining location-related information relating to a rail vehicle. According to the invention, the method provides that the location-related information is determined by a computing device which, together with one and the same associated radio device, carries out at least two measuring methods which differ from one another, wherein a first item of intermediate information is determined using a first of the at least two measuring methods and a second item of intermediate information is determined using a second of the at least two measuring methods, and the location-related information is determined using the at least two items of intermediate information.

[0028] With regard to the advantages of the method according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the railway component according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments; by way of example,

[0029] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a railway component according to the invention,

[0030] Fig. 2-7 Examples of operation of the railway component according to Figure 1,

[0031] Figure 8 shows an example of an arrangement with two railway components, each of which can locate the other railway component, and

[0032] Figure 9 Components of an embodiment of a railway system according to the invention.

[0033] For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0034] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a railway component 1 according to the invention, which can form location-related information 01 using a first location-related intermediate information ZU and a second location-related intermediate information ZI2. The location-related information 01 can be an absolute location, for example in the form of coordinates, or a relative location, for example a distance. The same applies to the intermediate information, which can be absolute or relative location.

[0035] The railway component 1 comprises a radio device 10 and a computing device 20 that cooperates with the radio device 10. The radio device 10 is used to transmit transmission signals and to receive transmission signals originating from another source, which it receives and with which it forms a reception signal E. The computing device 20 comprises a computing unit 21, which includes a processor 21a, and a memory 22 in which software programs are stored. When executed by the computing unit 21, the software programs determine the operation of the computing device 20 and thus that of the railway component 1, or at least they co-determine it.

[0036] It is particularly advantageous if the computing device 20 is formed solely by the processor 21a or comprises only a single processor 21a.

[0037] In the embodiment according to Figure 1, a first software program SP1 is stored in the memory 22 which, when executed by the computing device 20, carries out a first measuring method MV1 while determining the first intermediate information ZU. A second software program SP2 stored in the memory 22, when executed by the computing device 20, carries out a second measuring method MV2 while determining the second intermediate information ZI2. A third software program SP3 stored in the memory 22 serves to generate the location-related information O1 using the intermediate information ZU and Z I2. The location-related information O1 can, for example, be obtained by averaging or weighted averaging of the two intermediate information pieces ZU and Z I2.

[0038] The first, second and third software programs SP1-SP3 are preferably executed with one and the same processor 21a of the computing device 20.

[0039] In addition to the described railway component 1 arranged on the left in Figure 1, Figure 1 also shows a further railway component 2 arranged on the right in Figure 1. The railway component 1 arranged on the left in Figure 1 is referred to below as the actively measuring railway component 1, since it forms the location-related information 01; the railway component 2 arranged on the right in Figure 1 is referred to as the participating railway component, since it supports the actively measuring left railway component 1, this is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0040] The arrangement according to Figure 1 preferably works as follows:

[0041] The first software program SP1 of the computing device 20 of the actively measuring railway component 1 generates a first transmission signal SS I with the radio device 10, which is transmitted with the radio device 10; this is shown by way of example in Figure 2.

[0042] The participating railway component 2 receives the first transmission signal SS I and in turn sends back a first response signal AS 1 (see Figure 3); this first response signal AS 1 is received by the radio device 10 of the actively measuring railway component 1 as part of its reception signal E.

[0043] The first software program SRI evaluates the received signal E taking into account its own transmitted signal SS I and generates the first intermediate information ZU .

[0044] The first software program SP1 and the cooperating railway component 2 can, for example, be designed such that they jointly carry out a two-way location method as the first measurement method MV1, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In such a case, the first software program SP1 can evaluate the time difference between the transmission of the first transmission signal SS1 and the reception of the first response signal AS1 and determine a first distance value, which indicates the distance between the two railway components 1 and 2, as the first intermediate information ZU according to:

[0045] TO C * (dTl-Tvl) where C is the speed of light, dTl is the time difference between the transmission of the first transmission signal SS I and the reception of the first response signal AS 1 in the actively measuring railway component 1, and Tvl takes into account the delay time in the signal processing. Tvl can, for example, describe or at least contain the signal processing time Tvl2 that the participating railway component 2 requires to generate and transmit its first response signal AS 1 after receiving the first transmission signal SS I.

[0046] If the signal processing time Tvl2 of the participating railway component 2 is unknown or variable , it is advantageous if the participating railway component 2 communicates its own signal processing time Tvl2 in its first response signal AS 1 , for example in coded or uncoded form .

[0047] Simultaneously with the first transmission signal SS1 or offset in time therefrom, the second software program SP2 of the computing device 20 of the actively measuring railway component 1 can generate a second transmission signal SS2 with its radio device 10, which is transmitted with the radio device 10; this is shown by way of example in Figure 4.

[0048] The participating railway component 2 also receives the second transmission signal SS2 and in turn sends back a second response signal AS2 (see Figure 5); this second response signal AS2 is also received by the radio device 10 of the actively measuring railway component 1 and is thus also included in the received signal E.

[0049] The second software program SP2 evaluates the second response signal AS2 contained in the received signal E, taking into account its own second transmitted signal SS2, and generates the second intermediate information Z I2 .

[0050] The second software program SP2 and the cooperating railway component 2 can, for example, be designed such that they jointly carry out a second two-way location method, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In such a case, the second software program SP2 can evaluate the time difference between the transmission of the second transmission signal SS2 and the reception of the second response signal AS2 and determine a second distance value, which also indicates the distance between the two railway components 1 and 2, as second intermediate information Z I2 according to:

[0051] ZI2 = C * (dT2-Tv2) where C is the speed of light, dT2 is the time difference between the transmission of the second transmission signal SS2 and the reception of the second response signal AS2, and Tv2 is the delay time taken into account in the signal processing. Tv2 can, for example, describe or at least contain the signal processing time Tv22 required by the participating railway component 2 to generate and transmit its second response signal AS2 after receiving the second transmission signal SS2.

[0052] If the signal processing time Tv22 of the participating railway component 2 is unknown or variable , it is advantageous if the participating railway component 2 communicates its own signal processing time Tv22 in its second response signal AS2 , for example in coded or uncoded form .

[0053] The first and second measuring methods MV1-MV2, in the embodiment according to Figures 2 to 5 therefore the two two-way locating methods, preferably work on the basis of different parameter sets which define the generation of the transmission signals of the actively measuring railway component 1 and the response signals of the participating railway component 2. The parameter sets can, for example, define the frequencies and / or frequency spread method used to generate the signals and / or the signal structure they have in order to transmit information, for example. Alternatively, the first and / or second software program SP1 or SP2 of the actively measuring railway component 1 and the mode of operation of the participating railway component 2 can be designed to be the first and / or second measuring method MV1 orMV2 to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method; this will be explained using Figures 6 to 7 as an example.

[0054] The first software program SP1 of the computing device 20 of the actively measuring railway component 1 generates—as shown by way of example in Figure 6—a first transmission signal SS I in the form of a frequency-modulated continuous wave signal with the radio device 10, which is transmitted by the radio device 10. The first transmission signal SS I preferably has linear frequency ramps in its frequency characteristic, which each increase or decrease linearly over time. The first transmission signal SS I can, for example, form a sawtooth function in the frequency spectrum.

[0055] The participating railway component 2 receives the first frequency-modulated transmission signal SS I and in turn sends back a first response signal AS 1 in the form of a frequency-modulated continuous wave signal (cf. Figure 7). To make this possible, the participating railway component 2 preferably synchronizes itself with the transmission signal SS I received from the actively measuring railway component 1 and sends back a frequency-modulated continuous wave signal synchronous with the received transmission signal SS I as the first response signal AS 1. Due to the transmission time between sending and receiving, the first response signal AS 1 is shifted in time and thus frequency-shifted compared to the first transmission signal - relative to the transmission signal at the location of the actively measuring railway component 1. The frequency offset is proportional to the distance between the two railway components 1 and 2.

[0056] The first software program SP1 of the actively measuring railway component 1 evaluates the first response signal AS 1 transmitted by the cooperating railway component 2 and received by the radio device 10 of the actively measuring railway component 1 and determines the frequency offset between its own transmission signal SS I and the (frequency-shifted) response signal AS 1 contained in the reception signal E and calculates the distance between the railway components 1 and 2 as the first intermediate information ZU, for example according to:

[0057] ZU = C * R * df where C is the speed of light, R is the ramp steepness of the frequency ramp and df is the difference frequency between the frequency of the first transmission signal SS I as it is transmitted at the evaluation time and the frequency of the first response signal AS 1 as it is received at the said evaluation time. The difference frequency df can be determined in a known manner, for example by mixing the first transmission signal SS I and the first response signal AS 1 to form a mixed frequency which corresponds to the difference frequency.

[0058] The determination of a distance based on a frequency offset between the transmitter and the "return transmitter" is known, for example, in the field of frequency modulated continuous wave radar (FMCW), so reference is made to the relevant literature. The above explanations are intended only to explain the basic principle of a possible frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method.

[0059] Simultaneously with the first transmission signal SS I or offset in time therefrom, the second software program SP2 of the computing device 20 of the actively measuring railway component 1 can generate a second transmission signal SS I for the purpose of carrying out a second measurement method MV2 with its radio device 10, as was already explained in connection with Figures 4 to 5. The second measurement method MV2 can, for example, be the two-way locating method according to Figures 4 and 5; alternatively, the second measurement method MV2 can also be a frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method, as was explained in connection with Figures 6 and 7.

[0060] If the second measurement method MV2 is also a frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method, it preferably differs from the frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method performed within the first measurement method MV1. For example, the second frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method MV2 can operate in a different frequency range than the first frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method MV1.

[0061] Furthermore, reference is made to the above explanations in connection with Figures 5 and 6, which apply accordingly to the second frequency-modulated continuous wave measurement method.

[0062] Figure 8 shows a particularly preferred arrangement with two railway components. In this embodiment, each of the two railway components 1 and 2 is suitable for operating both as an actively measuring railway component 1, i.e., as the left railway component 1 in Figures 1 to 7, and as a cooperating railway component 2, i.e., as the right railway component 2 in Figures 1 to 7.

[0063] The two railway components 1 and 2 according to Figure 8 correspond in terms of construction to the left railway component 1 according to Figures 1 to 7 and accordingly have the radio device 10 described in connection with Figures 1 to 7 and the computing device 20 described in connection with Figures 1 to 7. The computing device 20 comprises the computing unit 21 and the memory 22 in which the software programs are stored. In addition, a fourth and a fifth software program SP4 and SP5 are stored in the memory 22, which enable the railway components 1 and 2 to react to transmission signals from another railway component that is actively measuring and to cooperate with this as a participating railway component.

[0064] The fourth software program SP4 is preferably coordinated with the first software program SP1 of the other railway component in order to be able to cooperate with it in a suitable manner; accordingly, the fifth software program SP5 is preferably coordinated with the second software program SP2 of the other railway component in order to be able to cooperate with it in a suitable manner.

[0065] In order to enable both railway components to actively measure and also to participate in parallel, i.e. to be able to carry out a collision-free parallel measurement, it is considered advantageous if the first and second software programs SP1 and SP2 of the upper railway component 1 and the fourth and fifth software programs SP4 and SP5 of the lower railway component 2 interacting with them work with different measurement methods MV1 and MV2 and / or at least different parameter sets than the first and second software programs SP1 and SP2 of the lower railway component 2 (see measurement methods MV1 ' and MV2 ') and the fourth and fifth software programs SP4 and SP5 of the upper railway component 1 interacting with them.

[0066] Figure 9 shows components of an exemplary embodiment of a railway system 100 according to the invention. Shown are a rail vehicle 110 equipped with the railway component 1 according to Figure 9, and a track device 120 in the form of a beacon, which is equipped with the railway component 2 according to Figure 9. The rail vehicle 110 locates itself with the assistance of the railway component 2 of the beacon and generates corresponding location-related information 01.

[0067] For the purposes of this application, the term balise is understood to mean a track device which is arranged in the track bed or in the vicinity of the track, whether in the ground or close to the ground, or on a fastening device at a height preferably less than 10 m, and which is suitable or intended for unidirectional or bidirectional communication with a passing rail vehicle.

[0068] The railway component 2 of the balise in turn locates the railway component 1 and thus the passing rail vehicle 110 with the cooperation of the railway component 1 and forms a location-related information 01 which indicates the location of the passing rail vehicle 110.

[0069] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the embodiments described above can be combined with one another in any desired manner in order to form further other embodiments of the invention.

[0070] All features of subclaims can also be combined individually with each of the subordinate claims, either individually or in any combination with one or other subclaims, in order to obtain further embodiments.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Railway component (1) which includes - a radio device (10) for transmitting at least one transmission signal (SSI) to another railway component (2) and for receiving a transmission signal from the other railway component (2) to form a reception signal (E), and - a computing device (20) which is designed to evaluate the received signal (E) to obtain location-related information (01) relating to a rail vehicle (110), characterized in that - the computing device (20) is designed to control said one radio device (10) to carry out at least two measuring methods (MV1, MV2) which differ from one another, and to determine a first intermediate information item (ZU) with a first of the at least two measuring methods (MV1) and a second intermediate information item (ZI2) with a second of the at least two measuring methods (MV2), and to form the location-related information (01) using the first and second intermediate information items (ZU, ZI2).

2. Railway component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the computing device (20) comprises at least one first software program (SP1) which, when executed by the computing device (20), causes the first of the at least two measuring methods (MV1) to be carried out while determining the first intermediate information (ZU), - the computing device (20) comprises at least one second software program (SP2) which, when executed by the computing device (20), effects the implementation of the second of the at least two measuring methods (MV2) by determining the second intermediate information (ZI2), and - the computing device (20) executes the first and second software program (SP1, SP2) with one and the same processor (21a).

3. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the computing device (20) comprises at least one third software program (SP3) which processes the location-related information (01) taking into account the intermediate information (ZU, ZI2), and - the computing device (20) also executes the third software program (SP3) with said processor (21a).

4. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the processor (21a) executes the first and second software programs (SP1, SP2) one after the other.

5. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the processor (20a) executes the first and second software programs (SP1, SP2) in a temporally interleaved manner.

6. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first software program (SP1) is designed to carry out a two-way locating method, preferably based on a frequency spread spectrum method, with the radio device (10) as the first measuring method (MV1).

7. Railway component (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that - the first software program (SP1) is designed to carry out the two-way location method on the basis of a first set of parameters, and - the second software program (SP2) is designed to carry out a two-way locating method with the radio device (10) as the second measuring method (MV2) on the basis of a second parameter set which differs from the first parameter set.

8. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second software program (SP2) is designed to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method with the radio device (10) as the second measuring method (MV2) and to determine the second intermediate information (ZI2) based on the frequency offset between the own transmission signal (SS2) and the reception signal (E).

9. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that - the first software program (SP1) is designed to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method on the basis of a first parameter set with the radio device (10) as the first measuring method (MV1), and - the second software program (SP2) is designed to carry out a frequency-modulated continuous wave operating method with the radio device (10) as the second measuring method (MV2) on the basis of a second parameter set which differs from the first parameter set.

10. Railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computing device (20) executes the first and second software program (SP1, SP2) regularly or irregularly repeatedly. and determines distance information as location-related information (01) which indicates the distance to the other railway component (2).

11. Rail vehicle (110), characterized in that - the rail vehicle (110) comprises at least one rail vehicle-specific railway component (1) according to one of the preceding claims and - the rail vehicle's own railway component (1) forms location-related information (01) relating to its own rail vehicle (110).

12. Route device (120), characterized in that - the track device (120) comprises at least one track device-specific railway component (2) according to one of the preceding claims and - the track-side railway component (2) forms location-related information (01) relating to a rail vehicle (110) passing the track-side railway component (1).

13. Railway system, characterized in that - the railway system comprises at least one rail vehicle (110) according to claim 11 and at least one track device (120) according to claim 12, - the rail vehicle's own railway component (1) locates itself using the self-determined location-related information (01) as soon as it is in the area of ​​the track device (120) and receives its transmission signal, and - the trackside railway component (2) locates the rail vehicle (110) using the location-related information (01) it has determined itself as soon as it receives the transmission signal of the rail vehicle (110).

14. Method for determining location-related information (01) relating to a rail vehicle (110), characterized in that - the location-related information (01) is determined by a computing device (20) which, together with one and the same associated radio device (10), carries out at least two measuring methods (MV1, MV2) which differ from one another, wherein a first intermediate information item (ZU) is determined with a first of the at least two measuring methods (MV1) and a second intermediate information item (ZI2) is determined with a second of the at least two measuring methods (MV2), and - the location-related information (01) is determined using the at least two intermediate information items.

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