Locomotive Communication Spectrum Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for data communication in a locomotive consist do not effectively account for environmental factors that alter channel quality, leading to interference and degradation in data transmission between network components.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the number of locomotives across which a communication signal will be sent and select a suitable transmission spectrum to equalize the signal, using processors and memories to adjust the signal accordingly and send it to receiving access points, thereby compensating for changing channel qualities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data communication is transmitted across multiple locomotives in a consist, then the coverage and connectivity are improved, but the channel quality deteriorates due to environmental factors and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects transmission spectra based on the number of locomotives in the consist. The processor determines the number of locomotives and automatically adjusts the transmission spectrum to optimize channel quality for the specific communication scenario, making the system adaptable to varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transmission spectrum parameter according to the number of locomotives. Different transmission spectra are applied based on whether the communication is within a single locomotive, across two locomotives, or across three or more locomotives, thereby optimizing performance for each scenario
2Device complexity
If environmental factors and channel characteristics are not accounted for, then the system complexity is reduced, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the number of locomotives in the consist before data transmission begins. Based on this pre-determined information, the appropriate transmission spectrum is selected in advance, allowing the system to prepare optimal transmission parameters before actual communication occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors the number of active locomotives and adjusts the transmission spectrum accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the transmission parameters remain optimized despite changing operational conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data between access points in a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a sending access point, the number of locomotives across which a communication signal will be sent. The method may also include selecting, based on the number of determined locomotives, a first transmission spectrum from among one or more transmission spectrums. The method may further include equalizing the communication signal using the selected first transmission spectrum and sending the equalized communication signal to a receiving access point.