Rail Communication Network Ring Topology for Distance and Cabling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data networks in rail traffic systems face limitations in actuating distances and high cabling efforts, with conventional copper cables restricted to 10 km and requiring extensive encapsulation and maintenance, while modern data networks offer higher reliability but incur high coupling costs and low data transfer rates.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a ring-shaped data transport network with network access points and communication units, allowing decentralized functional units to be grouped into subnetworks connected at both ends to the main network, enabling efficient data exchange and redundancy with minimal network access points and leveraging existing copper cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional copper cables are used for data transfer, then the system is simple to implement, but the actuating distance is limited to 10 km and requires extensive encapsulation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoidactuating distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces network access points as intermediary devices that convert signals from the existing copper cable infrastructure to suitable for transmission over longer distances through the data network, enabling extended actuating distances while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct electrical signal transmission through copper cables with a digital data network transmission system using network access points, eliminating the need for extensive encapsulation and maintenance while extending the actuating distance beyond the 10 km limitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If modern data networks are used with network access points, then the actuating distance and reliability are improved, but the coupling cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata exchange reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork coupling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into decentralized functional units that can independently communicate through the data network, reducing the complexity at any single point while improving overall reliability through distributed architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network access points are designed to perform multiple functions including signal conversion, data routing, and protocol adaptation, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated devices and lowering overall system complexity despite the enhanced capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If decentralized functional units are directly coupled to data network, then the availability is improved, but the cabling effort and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidcabling effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple decentralized functional units into subgroups that share common network access points, reducing the total number of individual cable connections required while maintaining high availability through redundant pathways in the ring topology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2301202B1Device for controlling and/or monitoring and data retrieval from local functional units along a communication network

Publication Date: 2017.05.31 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG

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AI summary

According to the invention, a device (E) and a method for controlling and/or monitoring remote functional units (DFE) disposed along a traffic network are provided, comprising: a) an superordinate control system (30) exchanging information with the remote functional units (DFE) by means of data telegrams (DT), b) a data transport network (TN) having a number of network access points (2 to 16), the superordinate control system (30) being coupled to the data transport network (TN) by at least one network access point (2, 4); c) communications units (18 to 28) connected to a network access point (6 to 16), wherein d) the remote functional units (DFE) are combined into subgroups (A to E) each having a dedicated subnetwork (NA to NE), and wherein e) the subnetwork (NA to NE) of each of the subgroups (A to E) is coupled at each of the two ends thereof to the data transport network (TN) via a communication unit (18 to 28) and via a network access point (6 to 16). In this manner, a digital transport network can be used to couple the remote functional units that is in every way robust against a single failure event, but allows very adept use of previously existing signal box cables, and finally also requires only a comparably small number of network access points.