Locomotive Wireless Link Verification via Railroad ID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication linking procedures in distributed power train operations prevent locomotives from different railroads with different version codes from establishing a communication link, leading to safety hazards and reduced application scope, as they solely rely on radio version codes and number identifiers without considering the railroad affiliation, resulting in potential miscommunication and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A distributed power linking system that includes input interfaces and processors on locomotives to transmit and receive link command signals, comparing railroad and number identifiers to establish a communication link between locomotives from different railroads, ensuring safe and controlled communication by prompting users to input identifiers and verifying matches before establishing a wireless communication link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common radio version code is created to encompass multiple railroads, then locomotives from different railroads can establish communication links, but duplicate number identifiers may cause safety hazards and miscommunication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier verification process into multiple distinct components: railroad identifier verification, number identifier verification, and duplicate detection. By dividing the identification system into these segments, the patent can verify both the railroad affiliation and the uniqueness of number identifiers, thereby establishing reliable communication links between locomotives from different railroads while preventing safety hazards from duplicate identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism that acts as a mediator between locomotives from different railroads. This intermediary process includes: (1) verifying the railroad identifier in the link command signal, (2) checking if the number identifier is duplicated within the same railroad, and (3) confirming the lead locomotive's number identifier matches the expected value. This intermediary verification layer enables cross-railroad communication while maintaining safety and reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional procedures require matching radio version codes, then communication links are reliable within the same railroad, but locomotives from different railroads cannot establish links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the verification parameters from solely relying on radio version codes to incorporating multiple parameters: railroad identifier, number identifier, and lead locomotive number identifier. By changing these parameters and their verification rules, the patent maintains reliability within the same railroad while enabling adaptability across different railroads. The system verifies that the railroad identifier matches, checks for duplicate number identifiers within the same railroad, and confirms the lead locomotive's identifier, thereby achieving both reliability and cross-railroad versatility.
3Ease of operation
If number identifier comparison is used without railroad identifier verification, then linking is simple, but miscommunication and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing railroad identifier verification and duplicate number identifier detection before establishing the communication link. The system first verifies that the railroad identifier in the link command signal matches the remote locomotive's registered railroad identifier, then checks if the number identifier is duplicated within the same railroad, and finally confirms the lead locomotive's number identifier. Only after these preliminary verification steps are successfully completed is the communication link established. This preliminary action maintains ease of operation while preventing miscommunication and safety risks.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive. A user on the lead locomotive is prompted to input a railroad and number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link command signal is transmitted from the lead locomotive, based on a predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, and the inputted railroad and number identifier. A second processor on the remote locomotive respectively compares the predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, the inputted railroad and number identifier of the lead locomotive, with an inputted number identifier of the lead locomotive, a predetermined railroad and a predetermined number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link reply signal, is transmitted from the remote locomotive, based on the comparison performed by the second processor, to establish the communication link. Additionally, a method is provided for establishing the wireless-based communication link.