Wireless on-vehicle station system

Abstract

To provide a train radio onboard station equipped with an analog and digital combination function capable of switching between an analog radio system and a digital radio system following an operational state.SOLUTION: A radio onboard station system for communicating with a radio ground system includes: an analog onboard station that communicates with the radio ground station system by analog waves; a digital onboard station that communicates with the radio ground station system by digital waves; and an interface switching device that connects one of the analog onboard station and the digital onboard station to an interface device. The digital onboard station monitors the communication and operation states of the digital waves at startup, and based on a result of the monitoring, outputs a switching signal to the interface switching device so as to automatically follow analog waves or digital waves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless on-vehicle station system, and particularly to a method for selectively switching between an analog wireless system and a digital wireless system in an environment where an analog wireless system and a digital wireless system are used in combination.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the switching from an analog wireless system to a digital wireless system, on the ground side, the analog wireless system and the digital wireless system are used in combination for operation, and on the vehicle side, the method of removing the analog on-vehicle station and installing and updating the digital on-vehicle station is often used.

[0003] However, when switching completely at a certain timing without using the analog wireless system and the digital wireless system in combination, on the vehicle station side, it is necessary to switch and connect to either the analog on-vehicle station or the digital on-vehicle station with an interface device for the vehicle circuit and in-vehicle equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to mount an analog / digital on-vehicle station and have a switching function.

[0004] As the background art of this technical field, there is the following prior art. Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-82075) discloses a wireless communication system including a mobile station device that moves along a preset track, a plurality of base station devices provided along the track, and a control station device that manages the plurality of base station devices, where the mobile station device and the base station devices communicate wirelessly, and as the mobile station device moves along the track, it hands off to each of the plurality of base station devices. In this configuration, the mobile station device transmits information specifying its traveling direction to the control station device via the base station device, the control station device receives the information transmitted from the mobile station device via the base station device, predicts the base station device to be the handoff destination of the mobile station device based on the received information, and controls the handoff based on the prediction result (see the abstract).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-82075 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When switching completely at a certain timing without using an analog radio system and a digital radio system in combination, during the system migration preparation period, test radio waves may be transmitted by the digital radio system on the ground while the analog radio system is in operation. The base station device of the radio system always transmits radio waves. The in-vehicle station system during operation receives analog waves at the analog in-vehicle station and digital waves at the digital in-vehicle station. However, the reception states are not shared mutually between the analog in-vehicle station and the digital in-vehicle station. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately grasp the operation status of the digital radio system based on the presence or absence of analog radio waves. Thus, it is difficult to automatically and accurately switch the vehicle circuit and the interface device to the operating system.

[0007] Basically, the test radio waves of the digital radio system are set and transmitted correctly, but when the setting of the test radio waves is incorrect or when digital waves cannot be transmitted, it is not possible to select between the analog in-vehicle station and the digital in-vehicle station.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a train radio in-vehicle station that can select and switch between an analog radio system and a digital radio system by radio of a digital in-vehicle station, and can fix the digital radio system or switch between the analog radio system and the digital radio system based on a digital in-vehicle station operator. Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A typical example of the invention disclosed in the present application is as follows. That is, a wireless on-vehicle system that communicates with a wireless base station system, including an analog on-vehicle station that communicates with the wireless base station system by analog waves, a digital on-vehicle station that communicates with the wireless base station system by digital waves, and an interface switching device that connects one of the analog on-vehicle station and the digital on-vehicle station to an interface device. The digital on-vehicle station monitors the communication state and operation state at startup, and based on the monitoring result, outputs a switching signal to the interface switching device to automatically follow analog waves or digital waves. When the communication state is synchronization established and the operation state is not in the test, it is determined that the digital wave is in operation It is characterized by this.

[0010] Also, in a wireless communication system according to an example of the present invention, the digital on-vehicle station has an operation unit, and the digital on-vehicle station outputs a signal connected to the digital on-vehicle station or a signal connected to the analog on-vehicle station to the interface Switch device based on the operation of the operation unit. It is characterized by this.

[0011] Also, in a wireless communication system according to an example of the present invention, the digital on-vehicle station determines the communication state and operation state of the digital wave. When the result of the determination is that the digital wave is in operation, a signal connected to the digital on-vehicle station is output to the interface Switch device. It is characterized by this.

[0014] Also, in a wireless communication system according to an example of the present invention, the digital on-vehicle station repeatedly determines the communication state for a first predetermined time after startup. When the communication state is synchronization established, the operation state is repeatedly determined for a second predetermined time. When the operation state is not in test for the continuous second predetermined time, it is determined that the digital wave is in operation. It is characterized by this.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, system switching can be smoothly implemented. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a train radio on - vehicle station system constituting a wireless communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] The on-train radio station system 20 of this embodiment is connected to the analog on-train radio ground station system 1 and the digital on-train radio ground station system 2. The on-train radio station system 20 has an analog on-train station 3, a digital on-train station 4, and an interface switching device 6. The analog on-train station 3 communicates with the analog on-train radio ground station system 1, and the digital on-train station 4 communicates with the digital on-train radio ground station system 2. The interface switching device 6 connects the vehicle circuit 5A to either the analog on-train station 3 or the digital on-train station 4. The vehicle circuit 5A is a device that integrally controls the running of the vehicle and an in-vehicle device (emergency reporting device, in-vehicle broadcast device, master control key) that can make a voice call with the command center via the on-train radio station system 20.

[0019] Moreover, the on-train radio station system 20 of this embodiment has an analog on-train station 3, a digital on-train station 4, and an interface switching device 6 installed in the leading car (car No. 1), and an analog on-train station 3, a digital on-train station 4, and an interface switching device 6 installed in the trailing car (car No. 8). The interface switching device 6 in car No. 1 and the interface switching device 6 in car No. 8 communicate the voice and the state of the on-train station via a connecting wire. Also, the digital on-train station 4 in car No. 1 and the digital on-train station 4 in car No. 8 communicate the signal of the operator via a connecting wire.

[0020] Thus, in the wireless communication system of this embodiment, during the transition between the analog wireless system and the digital wireless system, the analog on-train radio ground station system 1 and the digital on-train radio ground station system 2 are co-located, and the on-train radio station system 20 transmits with either the analog on-train radio ground station system 1 or the digital on-train radio ground station system 2.

[0021] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the on-train radio station system 20 of Embodiment 1.

[0022] As described above, the on-train radio station system 20 has an analog on-train station 3, a digital on-train station 4, and an interface switching device 6. The digital on-train station 4 has a control unit 7, a wireless unit 8, an operator 9, and a multiplexer 11.

[0023] The control unit 7 is composed of a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and a processor (CPU). In the non-volatile memory of the control unit 7, programs for each line section are stored. According to the information of the input master key, one of the programs is selectively expanded into the volatile memory and started up. When the program of a certain line section is started up, an analog-digital switching determination process (Fig. 3C) is executed, and communication is carried out with either the analog train radio ground station system 1 or the digital train radio ground station system 2 according to the operation status of the system. Also, when a plurality of buttons of the operator 9 of the digital on-vehicle unit 4 shown in Fig. 4 are operated, an analog / digital switching process (Fig. 3C) is executed.

[0024] The radio unit 8 has a plurality of radios that communicate on different channels, for example, a digital radio 81 for a control channel that communicates on different frequency channels, a digital radio 82 for a communication channel, and a digital radio 83 for direct protection. The digital radio 81 for the control channel transmits and receives control signals with the digital train radio ground station system 2. The digital radio 82 for the communication channel transmits and receives voice call signals with the digital train radio ground station system 2. The digital radio 83 for direct protection transmits and receives signals for train protection.

[0025] The operator 9 has a switch for selecting a channel, operating for protection reporting and protection reception, a lamp and a display indicating the operating state, and a transceiver for making a call in the digital on-vehicle unit 4. The operator 9 may be common with the analog on-vehicle unit 3.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the operator of the digital train radio on-vehicle unit of the first embodiment.

[0027] The operator 9 has a handset 901, a protective alarm button 902, an emergency alarm button 903, a regenerative brake return button 904, an acknowledgement button 905, a power lamp 906, a talking lamp 907, a vehicle own fault lamp 908, a vehicle other fault lamp 909, an emergency notification lamp 910, a storage lamp 911, a response button 912, an interrupt button 913, a vehicle own / other vehicle button 914, a good / failure button 915, a 7-segment display 916, a manual switching button 917, a line segment switching button 918, and a volume change button 919.

[0028] The handset 901 has a microphone and a receiver used during a call.

[0029] The protective alarm button 902 is operated to transmit a protective alarm from the digital on-vehicle station 4 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. The emergency alarm button 903 is operated to transmit an emergency alarm from the digital on-vehicle station 4 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. The regenerative brake return button 904 is operated for the return of the regenerative brake activated based on the protective alarm signal received by the digital on-vehicle station 4. The acknowledgement button 905 is operated to confirm the acknowledgement from the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 during a group call or an individual call.

[0030] The power lamp 906 lights up based on the power-on state of the digital on-vehicle station 4. The talking lamp 907 lights up during a call with the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. The vehicle own fault lamp 908 lights up when there is a fault in the digital on-vehicle station 4 of the vehicle where the operator 9 is installed. The vehicle other fault lamp 909 lights up when there is a fault in the digital on-vehicle station 4 of the vehicle on the opposite side of the vehicle where the operator 9 is installed. The emergency notification lamp 910 lights up during an emergency notification call. The storage lamp 911 lights up when entering the depot.

[0031] When the response button 912 is operated during an incoming call, it responds to the incoming call and outputs the voice from the commander side from the speaker. The interrupt button 913 is operated to interrupt and make a call during a call of another on-vehicle station. The own vehicle / other vehicle button 914 is operated to switch the active digital on-vehicle station 4 with a redundant configuration. Alternatively, when the own vehicle / other vehicle button 914 is the on-vehicle station of the vehicle where the operating device 9 is provided, it lights up the own vehicle, and when it is the on-vehicle station of the vehicle on the opposite side of the vehicle where the operating device 9 is provided, it lights up the other vehicle.

[0032] The good / failure button 915 is operated when leaving the garage to check the soundness as an on-vehicle station. If the soundness check result is good, the good lamp turns off after lighting for a predetermined time, and if the soundness check result is bad, the failure lamp turns off after lighting for a predetermined time.

[0033] The 7-segment display 916 is a display device capable of displaying two-digit numbers, and for example, it displays the number representing the line section during a line section switching operation.

[0034] The manual switching button 917 and the line section switching button 918 are operated when switching the line section. For example, when the manual switching button 917 is operated, it lights up, and when the line section switching button 918 is operated while the manual switching button 917 is lit, the display of the 7-segment display 916 is switched, and when the lit manual switching button 917 is operated, it turns off and switches to the line section displayed on the 7-segment display 916.

[0035] The volume change button 919 switches the volume output from the speaker by small button, medium button, and large button. Note that the volume may also be selected by a rotary switch.

[0036] The multiplexer 11 is provided between the radio unit 8 and the antenna 12A, mixes and separates signals of different frequencies, distributes the signals of the required frequency to each radio 81 - 83, and suppresses the signals of other frequencies. Although the analog on-vehicle station 3 is connected to a different antenna 12B from the digital on-vehicle station 4, it may be connected to the common antenna 12A via the multiplexer 11.

[0037] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are flowcharts of analog-digital switching determination processing executed by the control unit 7 of the digital on-vehicle station 4 in the first embodiment.

[0038] First, the digital on-vehicle station 4 receives block information from the vehicle circuit 5A (S101). For example, the block may be determined by operating a mass console key inserted into the vehicle circuit 5A, and the block information may be input to the interface switching device 6. Also, the block information may be input by operating a block selection button provided on the operation unit 9.

[0039] The control unit 7 activates a block program corresponding to the input block information (S102). The block 3 program is implemented with an analog-digital switching function. When the block 3 program is activated, the analog-digital switching processing after step S103 is executed. When the block 1-2 programs are activated, the analog-digital switching processing after step S103 is not executed, and the radio unit 8 is activated at the frequency specified by the program, enabling communication with the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2.

[0040] Thereafter, the control unit 7 determines whether it is digital fixed (S103). If it is digital fixed, the control unit 7 transmits a digital designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S104). If it is not digital fixed, the control unit 7 determines whether it is analog fixed (S105). If it is analog fixed, the control unit 7 transmits an analog designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S106).

[0041] For example, before transmitting the digital designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S104), if the digital fixed state is Control unit held in the non-volatile memory by 7, or when the operation shown in FIG. 3C is performed on the operation unit 9 and digital is selected, it is determined to be digital fixed (YES in S103).

[0042] Also, when the operation shown in FIG. 3C is performed on the operation unit 9 and analog is selected, it is determined to be analog fixed (YES in S104).

[0043] If the control unit 7 is neither in digital fixation nor in analog fixation, it sets the digital test continuation count and the analog test continuation count to 0 (S107). Then, the control unit 7 starts an analog operation determination timer for analog operation in case digital reception is not possible (S108). Then, the control unit 7 determines whether the analog operation determination timer has expired. If the analog operation determination timer has expired, it stops the transmission and reception of the digital radio so as not to adversely affect the analog operation (S110). Further, it transmits an analog designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S106).

[0044] If the analog operation determination timer has not expired, it determines whether it is in synchronization (S112). If there is no synchronization, it sets the analog test continuation count and the digital test continuation count to 0 (S127). In the determination of whether it is in synchronization, if there is synchronization, it determines whether the digital wave is under test (S113).

[0045] When the digital wave is under test, the control unit 7 sets the digital test continuation count to 0 and adds 1 to the analog test continuation count (S114). Then, it determines whether the analog test continuation count has exceeded a predetermined threshold (S115). If the analog test continuation count has exceeded the predetermined threshold, it stops the transmission and reception of the digital radio (S110) and transmits an analog designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S126). If the analog test continuation count has not exceeded the predetermined threshold, it returns to the determination of the expiration of the analog operation determination timer (S109).

[0046] When the digital wave is not under test, the control unit 7 adds 1 to the digital test continuation count and sets the analog test continuation count to 0 (S116), and determines whether the digital test continuation count has exceeded a predetermined threshold (S117). If the digital test continuation count has exceeded the predetermined threshold, it transmits a digital designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S124). If the digital test continuation count has not exceeded the predetermined threshold, it returns to the determination of the expiration of the analog operation determination timer (S109).

[0047] Note that the analog-digital switching determination process not only determines at the time of program startup, but also repeatedly determines the communication state and operation state of the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. After switching from the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, it may also be possible to switch back from the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 to the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1. For example, after switching from the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, without performing a switching-back operation in the train radio on-vehicle station system 20, it is possible to switch back to the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 due to a trouble in the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, and the analog radio system and the digital radio system can be used in combination.

[0048] In this way, the train radio on-vehicle station system 20 determines the communication state and operation state of the digital train radio, switches the operation of the interface switching device 6, and can be connected to both the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 and the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 while giving priority to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the digital on-vehicle station 4 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to transmit a digital designation signal to the interface switching device 6 by operating a combination of a plurality of buttons of the operating device 9, regardless of whether it is an analog wave or a digital wave.

[0050] FIG. 3C is a flowchart of the analog-digital switching process executed by the control unit 7 due to the button operation of the operating device 9 of the first embodiment.

[0051] First, the control unit 7 sets the number of consecutive button presses of the plurality of buttons to 0 (S201). Then, the control unit 7 starts a button operation determination timer (S202), and determines whether a plurality of buttons are being operated at the timing of the expiration (S203) of the button operation determination timer (S204). If a plurality of buttons are not being operated, the process returns to S202, the button operation determination timer is started, and the button operation is determined. On the other hand, if a plurality of buttons are being operated, the number of consecutive operations of the plurality of buttons is incremented by 1 (S205).

[0052] Then, the control unit 7 determines whether the continuous operation count of multiple buttons exceeds a predetermined threshold (S206). As a result, if the continuous operation count of multiple buttons does not exceed the predetermined threshold, it returns to S202, activates the button operation determination timer, and determines the button operation. On the other hand, when the continuous operation count of multiple buttons exceeds the specified value, since the operations of multiple buttons continue for a predetermined time, the continuous operation count of multiple buttons is set to 0 (S207), the digital selection state is displayed on the 7-segment display 916 of the operator 9 (S208), and the digital fixation is held in the non-volatile memory (S209). Then, a digital designation signal is transmitted to the interface switching device 6 (S210).

[0053] In this way, when the operations of any multiple buttons continue for a predetermined time, the communication is switched from the analog on-vehicle station 3 to the digital on-vehicle station 4, so that the crew can manually switch from analog communication to digital communication. Note that the buttons operated for switching to digital communication may be limited to specific buttons. Further, it may be possible to select between switching from analog communication to digital communication and switching from digital communication to analog communication. Furthermore, it may be possible to switch to digital communication fixation that makes analog communication impossible by operating the operator 9.

[0054] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the digital wave and the analog wave can be automatically selected according to the state of the digital wave and the test call of the digital wave. Also, even when switching completely at a certain timing without using the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 and the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 together, since the analog / digital switching determination process is implemented in the block section program, during the transition preparation period from the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, the interface switching device 6 can be automatically switched to the operating analog on-vehicle station 3 or digital on-vehicle station 4, and the system switching can be smoothly implemented. Furthermore, the analog wave and the digital wave can be preliminarily switched by operating the operator of the on-vehicle station.

[0055] <Embodiment 2> Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the wireless communication system according to Embodiment 2.

[0056] The wireless communication system of this embodiment includes an analog train radio base station system 1, a digital train radio base station system 2, and a train radio on-vehicle station system 20. The train radio on-vehicle station system 20 includes an analog on-vehicle station 3, a digital on-vehicle station 4, and an interface switching device 6. The analog on-vehicle station 3 communicates with the analog train radio base station system 1, and the digital on-vehicle station 4 communicates with the digital train radio base station system 2. The interface switching device 6 connects the vehicle circuit / interface device 5B to either the analog on-vehicle station 3 or the digital on-vehicle station 4. The vehicle circuit / interface device 5B is an electronic circuit that integrally controls the running of the vehicle and an in-vehicle device (such as an emergency reporting device and an in-vehicle broadcast device) that enables voice communication with the command post via the train radio on-vehicle station system 20.

[0057] Thus, in the wireless communication system of this embodiment, the analog train radio base station system 1 and the digital train radio base station system 2 are installed side by side, and the train radio on-vehicle station system 20 can communicate with both the analog train radio base station system 1 and the digital train radio base station system 2. For example, during the transition between an analog wireless system and a digital wireless system, or when an analog wireless system and a digital wireless system are installed side by side in a single section. Also, during the transition between the analog wireless system and the digital wireless system, the analog train radio base station system 1 and the digital train radio base station system 2 are transmitting simultaneously, and it is necessary to connect the vehicle circuit / interface device 5B to either the analog on-vehicle station 3 or the digital on-vehicle station 4.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the train radio on-vehicle station system 20 according to Embodiment 2.

[0059] As described above, the train radio on-vehicle station system 20 includes an analog on-vehicle station 3, a digital on-vehicle station 4, and an interface switching device 6. The digital on-vehicle station 4 includes a control unit 7, a wireless unit 8, an operator 9, and a multiplexer 11.

[0060] The control unit 7 is composed of a processor (CPU) that executes programs stored in the memory. The control unit 7 is equipped with programs for each line section, and any one of the programs is selectively activated according to the input information of the master control key. The line section 4 program is implemented with an analog-digital switching function. When the line section 4 program is activated, an analog-digital switching determination process (Fig. 7) is executed, and it communicates with either the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 or the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 according to the operation status of the system.

[0061] The radio unit 8 has a plurality of radios that communicate on different channels, for example, a digital radio 81 for the control channel that communicates on different frequency channels, a digital radio 82 for the communication channel, and a digital radio 83 for direct protection. The digital radio 81 for the control channel transmits and receives control signals with the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. The digital radio 82 for the communication channel transmits and receives voice call signals with the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. The digital radio 83 for direct protection transmits and receives signals for train protection.

[0062] The operator 9 has switches for selecting channels, operating for protection reporting and protection reception, lamps and indicators showing the operating state, and a transceiver for making calls with the digital on-vehicle station 4. The operator 9 may be common with the analog on-vehicle station 3.

[0063] The multiplexer 11 is provided between the radio unit 8 and the antenna 12A, mixes and separates signals of different frequencies, distributes signals of the required frequency to each radio 81 - 83, and suppresses signals of other frequencies. Although the analog on-vehicle station 3 is connected to a different antenna 12B from the digital on-vehicle station 4, it may be connected to the common antenna 12A via the multiplexer 11.

[0064] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the analog-digital switching determination process executed by the control unit 7 of the digital on-vehicle station 4 in the second embodiment.

[0065] First, the digital on-vehicle station 4 receives section information from the vehicle circuit / interface device 5B (S101). For example, the vehicle circuit / interface device 5B may determine the section by operating the mask control key inserted into the master controller and input the section information to the interface switching device 6. Also, the section information may be input by operating the section selection button provided on the operation device 9.

[0066] The control unit 7 activates the section program corresponding to the input section information (S102). As described above, the section 4 program is implemented with an analog / digital switching function. When the section 4 program is activated, the analog / digital switching process after step S103 is executed. When the section 1-3 programs are activated, the analog / digital switching process after step S103 is not executed, and the radio unit 8 is activated at the frequency specified by the program, enabling communication with the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2.

[0067] Thereafter, the control unit 7 activates the digital synchronization determination monitoring process for determining the communication state between the digital on-vehicle station 4 and the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 (S103). In the digital synchronization determination monitoring process, a digital synchronization determination timer is activated (S104), and the communication state of the digital wave (e.g., whether synchronization is established) is repeatedly determined until the digital synchronization determination timer expires (S105).

[0068] If the synchronization between the digital on-vehicle station 4 and the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 is not established, the process proceeds to step S110, and the processes from step S105 to step S109 are repeatedly executed until the digital synchronization determination timer expires. Note that instead of determining for a predetermined time with the digital synchronization determination timer, it may be determined a predetermined number of times.

[0069] On the one hand, if synchronization between the digital on-vehicle station 4 and the digital train radio ground station system 2 is established, a digital operation determination fixed-period monitoring process for determining the operation state of the digital train radio ground station system 2 is started (S106). In the digital operation determination fixed-period monitoring process, a digital operation determination timer is started (S107), and until the digital operation determination timer expires, it is repeatedly determined whether the digital train radio ground station system 2 is transmitting a test signal (S108). Note that instead of determining for a predetermined time using the digital operation determination timer, it may be determined a predetermined number of times. If a test signal transmitted from the digital train radio ground station system 2 is received during the period of the digital operation determination timer, it is determined that the digital train radio ground station system 2 is not in operation. Wait for the expiration of the digital operation determination timer and the digital synchronization determination timer (S109, S110), output a determination result of digital wireless communication unavailable (S111), and transmit an analog designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S112). The interface switching device 6 connects the analog on-vehicle station 3 and the vehicle circuit / interface device 5B to operate analog wireless communication.

[0070] On the other hand, if synchronization with the digital train radio ground station system 2 is established but no test signal transmitted from the digital train radio ground station system 2 is received during the entire period of the digital operation determination timer, it is determined that the digital train radio ground station system 2 is in operation. Wait for the expiration of the digital operation determination timer and the digital synchronization determination timer (S113, S114), output a determination result of digital wireless communication available (S115), and transmit a digital designation signal to the interface switching device 6 (S116). The interface switching device 6 connects the digital on-vehicle station 4 and the vehicle circuit / interface device 5B to operate digital wireless communication.

[0071] Note that the analog-digital switching determination process not only determines at the time of program startup, but also repeatedly determines the communication status and operation status of the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2. Even after switching from the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, it may be possible to switch back from the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 to the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 again. For example, after switching from the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, without performing a switching-back operation in the train radio on-vehicle station system 20, it is possible to switch back to the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 due to a trouble in the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, and the analog radio system and the digital radio system can be used in combination.

[0072] In this way, the train radio on-vehicle station system 20 determines the communication status and operation status of the digital train radio, switches the operation of the interface switching device 6, and can be connected to both the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 and the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 while giving priority to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2.

[0073] As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, even when switching completely at a certain timing without using the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 and the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2 in combination, since the analog-digital switching determination process is implemented in the section program, during the transition preparation period from the analog train radio terrestrial station system 1 to the digital train radio terrestrial station system 2, it becomes possible to automatically switch the interface switching device 6 to the operating analog on-vehicle station 3 or digital on-vehicle station 4, and the system switching can be smoothly implemented.

[0074] As described above, in an environment where an analog train radio system and a digital train radio system are used in combination, a method for the digital on-vehicle unit 4 to selectively switch between the analog train radio system and the digital train radio system has been described. The present invention is suitable for a case where the digital radio system is switched all at once from the analog radio system at a predetermined timing. However, the present invention is also applicable simply to a case where an analog radio system and a digital radio system are used in combination, or to other radio systems that are not train radio systems.

[0075] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, a part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Further, the configuration of another embodiment may be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Also, for a part of the configuration of each embodiment, addition, deletion, or replacement with other configurations may be made.

[0076] In addition, each of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, by using an integrated circuit, or may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program for realizing each function.

[0077] Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function can be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD.

[0078] Also, control lines and information lines are shown as those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines necessary for implementation. In practice, it may be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Analog train radio ground station system 2 Digital train radio ground station system 3 Analog on-vehicle unit 4 Digital on-vehicle unit 5A Vehicle circuit 5B Vehicle circuit and interface device 6 Interface switching device 7 Control unit 8 Radio unit 9 Operator 11 Combiner 12A, 12B Antenna 20 Train radio on-vehicle unit system

Claims

1. A wireless on-vehicle station system that communicates with a wireless base station system, an analog on-vehicle station that communicates with the wireless base station system by analog waves, a digital on-vehicle station that communicates with the wireless base station system by digital waves, and an interface switching device that connects one of the analog on-vehicle station and the digital on-vehicle station to an interface device, wherein the digital on-vehicle station monitors the communication state and operation state of digital waves at startup, and based on the result of the monitoring, outputs a switching signal to the interface switching device so as to automatically follow analog waves or digital waves, and determines that the digital waves are in operation when the communication state is synchronization established and the operation state is not under test. A wireless on-vehicle station system characterized by this.

2. The wireless on-vehicle station system according to claim 1, wherein the digital on-vehicle station has an operation unit, and the digital on-vehicle station outputs a signal connected to the digital on-vehicle station or a signal connected to the analog on-vehicle station to the interface switching device based on an operation of the operation unit. A wireless on-vehicle station system characterized by this.

3. The wireless on-vehicle station system according to claim 1, wherein the digital on-vehicle station determines the communication state and operation state of the digital waves, and when the result of the determination is that the digital waves are in operation, outputs a signal connected to the digital on-vehicle station to the interface switching device. A wireless on-vehicle station system characterized by this.

4. The wireless on-vehicle station system according to claim 1, wherein the digital on-vehicle station repeatedly determines the communication state for a first predetermined time after startup, and when the communication state is synchronization established, repeatedly determines the operation state for a second predetermined time, and determines that the digital waves are in operation when the operation state is not under test for the second consecutive predetermined time. A wireless on-vehicle station system characterized by this.

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